(UPDATE) Comelec exec hints of Smartmatic-TIM reconciliation
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 07/03/2009 9:34 AM
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MANILA - Commission on Elections (Comelec) legal chief Ferdinand Rafanan on Friday hinted of a possible reconciliation between Barbados-based Smartmatic International and Filipino company Total Information Corp. (TIM).
"We have been doing so much hard work and prayers. Something good is going to happen," Rafanan said when asked if he has information about the outcome of the overnight meeting between officials from the Smartmatic and TIM.
Radio dzMM's Ted Failon said the meeting between the two officials lasted until 3 a.m. Friday. The meeting reportedly started late Thursday night.
While Rafanan refused to confirm that the two companies have already reached an agreement, he said the rift between Smartmatic and TIM was a blessing in disguise.
"Ngayong nangyari na ito, we are forewarned. Maru-rule out na nila ang conspiracy. Magbabantayan ang dalawa, at ang Comelec ay lalong magiging cautious," he said.
He said the Comelec will announce the result of the two companies' meeting at 1 p.m. Friday.
Earlier, Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said the poll body had not been informed about the final meeting between the two companies.
Sarmiento said the Comelec will know the outcome of the meeting by noon Friday.
"The deadline is at noon today (Friday). We will find out from both parties if an agreement has been reached or if it's a total breakup between Smartmatic and TIM," Sarmiento told ANC's News@8.
If the two companies fail to reach an agreement, the poll official said the commission en banc will immediately meet to discuss three top options on how the Comelec should push through with the 2010 elections.
Sarmiento said on top of the list is the possible partnership between Comelec and Smartmatic, which has been recommended by the poll body's advisory council.
Comelec legal chief Ferdinand Rafanan has said that there seems to be no legal obstacle for Comelec to enter into a partnership with the Smartmatic.
The next option is the holding of partial automated elections and the last, manual elections.
The poll official said partial elections means the Comelec will assign pilot areas where automation elections should be held, a version contrast to suggestions for hybrid elections. He added that the Comelec, with its experience in last elections, is very much prepared for manual elections.
He said the Comelec will meet with several groups, including the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting and the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections, to hear their suggestions.
Sarmiento also mentioned during the interview that the Comelec is also thinking of the possibility of a second bidding, which has been junked by Comelec Chairman Jose Melo.
Charges vs TIM
Rafanan said that if TIM will continue to refuse to fulfil its end of the automation contract on Friday, the Comelec will immediately file charges.
"What we can assure is the Comelec is ready. We have contingency plans, and we are still eyeing automated elections come May 10, 2010. We are also preparing charges against officials of TIM," he said.
Melo earlier said that he had consulted with the Department of Justice regarding the possible filing of charges against TIM.
He said Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera assured him that the justice department has started preparing for the legal battle against TIM.
Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin has revealed that the breakup started with TIM head Jose Mari Antuñez made a deal breaking upfront demand for P500 million from the Smartmatic.
Locsin said Smartmatic lawyers and officials meeting with Antuñez at the time thought of the demand as extortion.
Meanwhile, there were reports that the TIM president made the impossible demand after receiving calls from "powerful people," who are allegedly unhappy with the high possibility of the automation pushing through.
Reports said Antuñez could not agree to these people and decided to make a drastic move to get out of the automation contract.
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