Vice President Leni Robredo is urging caution about the proposal to ditch Smartmatic as a technology supplier in future automated elections in the country.
Robredo said Sunday (June 2) that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) should be allowed to explain before parties or politikos make “sweeping” claims of poll fraud.
“Huwag nating sabihin na porket natalo iyong mga kandidato natin, nadaya. Pa-explain-in muna natin. Kung acceptable sa atin iyong explanation, eh ‘di iyon na iyon. Kapag hindi sa atin acceptable, doon tayo magreklamo,” the Vice President said on her radio show, Biserbisyong Leni.
Robredo, who is facing a poll protest over her victory in the 2016 vice presidential race, said the Comelec should be allowed to explain if there is possibility of cheating in an automated elections.
“Kaya tinatanong ko, Ka Ely, iyong mga nakakaintindi: Posible ba na magkaroon ng dayaan sa isang automated elections? Kung ano iyong mga kaduda-duda para sa atin, bigyan natin ng pagkakataon iyong Comelec magbigay ng pahayag. Pero huwag padalos-dalos kasi hindi din makakatulong sa ating lahat,” she said.
President Rodrigo Duterte last week called on Comelec to ditch Smartmatic in the next elections and find a new technology provider “that is free of fraud.”
“Dispose of that Smartmatic and look for a new one that is free of fraud. Kasi ang liberal, sabi nila nadaya sila. Ako sabi nila nadaya rin. It’s creating an environment of hostile attitude,” he said in a speech before the Filipino community in Japan.
The Comelec, however, said legal bases is needed to ban Smartmatic from taking part in the succeeding polls.
