(Updated) OFFICIALS of the poll technology provider Smartmatic are willing to participate and cooperate in any investigation related to the alleged tweaking of the packet data for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) transparency server, a company representative said Tuesday.
Lawyer Karen Jimeno, Smartmatic's head for voter education, said its officials have no intentions of going out of the country, as they are willing to cooperate with the Comelec.
"They (Smartmatic officials) intend to fully cooperate with whatever investigation that the Comelec calls for or any political party calls for. So they have no intention of leaving the country as well. So it is really unnecessary to even have a hold departure order," Jimeno told reporters at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
(Video by Ruth Abbey Gita/Sunnex)
On Monday, Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon filed a formal request, asking the poll body's en banc to prohibit the Smartmatic officials and employees from leaving the country, until its probe on the alleged alteration of hash code of the transparency server is concluded.
Jimeno also stressed that since the election day, the Smartmatic has always made sure that it follows the rules implemented by the Comelec.
"Even in the elections from day one, Smartmatic has really observed all the rules of Comelec kasi those are very clear. There's always guidelines and there have always been rules what to follow, in order to implement the project. So it's really Comelec that runs the show, not Smartmatic," Jimeno said.
"What's really important here is one, transparency, and credibility of the elections," she added.
Had a Comelec employee from the Information Technology Department (ITD) not assisted Smartmatic, Jimeno said there would have been no changes made in the transparency script.
"I think, first before we make accusations, we look at the facts. So first, there would have not been a change if not for also a member of Comelec putting in the password. Because on the day the typographical error was corrected, a Comelec-ITD officer was also present, and in fact, it was the Comelec officer that typed in the password, in order for the Smartmatic to make a change," Jimeno said.
"Before anyone alleges there’s a breach of protocol, I think what’s important here is first, to look at whether there was a protocol for a minor change, like a correction of a typographical error and what the protocol is, where is it contained and to determine if there is a breach and what the penalties are," she added.
Infuriated by Jimeno's statement that her memorandum was "unnecessary," Guanzon said the former should be watchful in the words she pick.
"She (Jimeno) is just doing her job but she should not tell me that what I am doing is unnecessary. Perhaps, she wants my job," Guanzon said in a chance interview. "She should choose her words carefully."
In a television interview, Comelec chair Juan Andres Bautista expressed confidence that the Smartmatic would not leave the country because it is yet to receive its compensation.
"I don't think they (Smartmatic officials) are going anywhere. We haven't paid them yet," Bautista said.
Prior to Guanzon's filing of memorandum, Comelec Commissioner Christian Robert Lim, head of the steering committee for the 2016 polls, had also ordered the Smartmatic to secure the poll body's consent first before making any actions related to the elections.
Last week, the Comelec issued an order against Smartmatic personnel, barring them from having access to the Consolidation and Canvassing System (CCS) being used by the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) at the PICC in Pasay City.
On Tuesday, Guanzon reported that Smartmatic personnel, including Smartmatic project manager Marlon Garcia, are still present at the PICC despite the order.
"While I was in the dining room, Smartmatic's Garcia approached to get water two feet away from me. Told him 'stay away'. He is under investigation," she said.
"Kukuha siya ng tubig. Why did he leave the meeting room just to get water in the dining room?" Guanzon told the media.
The poll body official noted that she does not want any communication with Smartmatic personnel while an investigation is ongoing.
"They are under investigation. They should have no contact with the commissioners because we will be the ones deciding on their case," Guanzon added.
Meanwhile, Guanzon revealed that they are looking to start the probe next week after the conclusion of canvassing proceedings at the PICC.
Comelec – Law Department Director Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal will head the investigation. (With FP/Sunnex)