CitizenWatch Philippines urges full disclosure of Comelec-Miru contract to safeguard 2025 polls

Consumer advocacy group CitizenWatch Philippines calls for the immediate and complete disclosure of the multibillion-peso contract between the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Miru System.

CitizenWatch Philippines Co-Convenor Atty. Kit Belmonte made the statement following the recent departure of Miru System’s Joint Venture local partner, St. Timothy Construction Corporation (STCC). 

Belmonte emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in ensuring the integrity of the 2025 elections.

“Transparency and accountability are essential to safeguarding the integrity of the upcoming 2025 elections, and the public has the right to be assured that 2025 mid-term elections be conducted with full compliance to the law,” Belmonte said.

CitizenWatch Philippines said it is joining the Freedom of Information advocacy group, Right to Know, Right Now Coalition (R2KRN), in its demand for Miru to release detailed information on the remaining partners’ roles, responsibilities, financial capacity, and compliance with the 60 percent Filipino ownership requirement.

“We echo the coalition’s concerns about the withdrawal of St. Timothy Construction Corp. (STCC) from the joint venture and the potential impacts this could have on the execution of the contract,”  Belmonte said.

“Additionally, we call for a transparent breakdown of liabilities, revised timelines, and contingency plans to ensure that any potential disruptions do not compromise the election process,” he added.

Belmonte challenged Miru to directly answer all concerns raised by the public.

“The integrity of our electoral process is paramount, it is crucial that Miru System stops hiding behind the Comelec and directly answers all legitimate concerns raised by the public,” Belmonte stated.

“The 2025 elections are a pillar of our democracy, and only through full disclosure and accountability can we ensure that they proceed smoothly, fairly, and on time,” he also said.

Belmonte also called on all stakeholders, including Comelec, to ensure that the public interest remains at the forefront of their actions, especially this coming 2025 elections.

“CitizenWatch Philippines stands ready to support all efforts to uphold transparency and protect the credibility of the electoral process,” he said.