Poll watchdog seeks ban of Smartmatic in 2013 elections

Thursday, March 8, 2012
A POLL watchdog has opposed the looming return of Smartmatic International in the 2013 midterm elections as technology partner of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

In a letter sent to the Comelec Monday, the multi-sectoral organization Automated Election System Watch (AES Watch) said it would be best if the Venezuela-based firm would be totally out of the picture in next year’s exercise.

The group said Smartmatic, as the contracted technology provider in the May 2010 elections, “did not deliver the goods fully and well, and in fact disabled major security features in the system.”
It said the Smartmatic and its Filipino partner is far from proving it met the standard provision in Sec. 10 (12) of Republic Act (RA) 9369 with regard to demonstrated capability and “thus failed in meeting the mission-critical requirements for its entire claim of meeting the 99.9 percent accuracy target in the last elections.”
“The election technology provider in the May 2010 polls, Smartmatic-TIM (Total Information Management), should, therefore, no longer be an option and should be disqualified altogether from participating in the 2013 elections,” it added.

To note, the Comelec is reportedly looking to exercise its “option to purchase” agreement with Smartmatic of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines used in the 2010 polls instead of holding a new bidding for either the lease or purchase of new ones.

Smartmatic, the service provider in the 2010 polls, has not been black listed by the Comelec despite its several boo-boos in the conduct of the presidential elections.

But according to AES Watch, the option to purchase Smartmatic’s PCOS machines is no longer available as its coverage has long expired.

It added that this is aside from the fact that the previous contract is no longer being honored after the firm also informed Comelec that there will be a 20 percent price increase.

“Based on the aforesaid facts, it is clear that the Smartmatic proposal is totally different from the terms and conditions under the original Option to Purchase stipulated in the Comelec-Smartmatic-TIM Corp. Contract. As such, it is a totally new contract proposal altogether and, if accepted by Comelec, will be a clear violation of the rules on procurement which require public bidding,” the group said.

Similarly, the poll watchdog said Smartmatic should not be allowed to participate in the event that a new bidding is held and subsequently disqualified.

It said the impaired the accuracy, security, and auditability of the May 2010 elections should be a ground for disqualifying the company.

“Incidents during the last automated election show the many faults in the system, not to mention acts inconsistent with good faith by Smartmatic, for which it should be blacklisted,” said the AES Watch.

They said that only through the elimination of Smartmatic can the country move forward with the change promised by the Aquino administration.

“The Comelec should open wide its doors to all other technology providers that can comply with the highest standards of transparency, accountability and Philippine laws as well as help provide the best suitable technology system at the most affordable cost to Filipino taxpayers,” said AES Watch.

AES Watch is composed of at least 45 organizations and groups with a strong advocacy for independence, probity, and integrity especially in promoting democratic governance and against electoral fraud of all types.

Among its members are the Philippine Computer Society, National Movement for Free Elections, Transparency International-Phils, Kontra Daya, Transparentelections.org, Kaya Natin Movement for Good Governance, National Council of Churches, and Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines National Secretariat for Social Action. (AMN/Sunnex)

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/03/08/poll-watchdog-seeks-ban-smartmatic-2013-elections-210022

Tourists and residents of Manila travel out of town to the north on a short getaway look for the best place in Clark to buy some fine vintage wine to bring home after their holidays and vacations. Many find a top rated wine shop called Clark Wine Center to be an exciting place to do some shopping in Clark Pampanga. This famous wine shop is highly recommended for visitors going to Clark Pampanga to drink good wine, relax and unwind with friends and families. This frequently visited wine shop is known by tourist and visitors to Pampanga, Angeles city, Subic and Clark Philippines as a cool place to hang out in Clark. Many attend the regular wine tasting held either outdoor on the roof deck or in indoor on the second floor above the wine shop. The place has good atmosphere for a private wine tasting party or a small night out gatherings for business or social event.

Tourists and visitors staying in Angeles City, Tarlac, Baguio, Subic and Pampanga sometimes wonder what are the things to do in Clark Philippines and Pampanga? Frequent visitors to Pampanga discover that it is fun to do a little wine shopping at the famous wine shop outside of Manila called Clark Wine Center. One of the favorite places to visit in Pampanga Clark Freeport is the white building along M A Roxas highway of Clark which houses over 2000 selections of fine vintage wines. The Clark Wine Center is one of the places to visit, a tourist spot and a good shopping place for those staying in Angeles City, Subic or Clark Pampanga.

Leading Philippines Wine Supplier Yats Wine Cellars based in Clark Philippines with outlets in Angeles City, Subic Freeport and Manila Philippines has been not only a wine shop for fine wines covering all major wine regions but also a source of reliable and useful information about wine, wine appreciation, wine accessories, wine and health, food and wine pairing and all other matters relating to wine and its appreciation. This Philippines Clark Freeport based Wine Supplier and Wine Shop frequently holds public wine tasting events in Pampana Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles City, Subic Bay area, Makati, Fort Bonifacio and other areas in Philippines capital city Manila. Private Wine events such as private wine tasting and private wine dinners are also designed and organized for private clientele for their wine loving guests.

Wine Catering is a unique product of Yats Wine Cellars, created back in 2005 in response to a growing demand for private wine parties in Manila, Cebu, Subic, Angeles Clark Philippines.

Chateau Lafite-Rothschild is the most revered wine in China and many other parts of Asia. The best wine shop in Asia to buy older vintages of Chateau Lafite is Yats Wine Cellars located in Clark Philippines. Aside from Lafite, visitors can buy other fine wines at this wine shop in Clark Pampanga such as Latour, Mouton-Rothschild, Haut-Brion and Margaux. Excellent Burgundy wines like Chambertin, Vougeot, Musigny, Bonnes Mares, Pommard, Meursault, Chambertin, Vosne Romanee, Romanee Conti, La Tache and Romanee St. Vivant can be found here.

Yats Wine Cellars can be reached at their Clark Wine Center Philippines wine shop located on the main highway M A Roxas of Pampanga Clark Freeport Zone or their sales office in Ortigas Centre, Metro Manila. Here is the contact information:

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com