Election watchdog Kontra Daya and progressive group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) gathered at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Intramuros, Manila, to advocate for hybrid elections in the May 2025 polls. BAYAN Secretary-General Mong Palatino emphasized that a part-manual, part-automated system could address transparency issues in the upcoming elections.
Palatino highlighted that relying on local experts and technology through a hybrid system would reduce dependence on foreign companies. He also noted that the current technology could ensure automatic transmission while maintaining transparency in voting and counting.
The push for hybrid elections follows recent allegations against Comelec regarding a P18-billion automated election contract awarded to a joint venture involving Korean firm Miru. SAGIP party-list Representative Rodante Marcoleta raised concerns about offshore bank accounts allegedly linked to a Comelec official, suggesting possible bribery.
Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia, who was implicated, denied owning any foreign bank accounts and requested an investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation and the Anti-Money Laundering Council. He also issued waivers for the involved bank accounts.
BAYAN called for an independent investigation into the bribery allegations, suggesting that entities like the Ombudsman, Sandiganbayan, or Congress handle the probe. Palatino urged Comelec to terminate the contract with Miru and consider implementing a hybrid electoral system.
Kontra Daya supported the call for hybrid elections and the investigation into the bribery accusations. However, Comelec responded that the automation law mandates pure automation, and the allocated budget is solely for automation, making a hybrid system unlikely for the 2025 elections.