MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) sees no irregularity with the temporary storage of election paraphernalia inside a residential area in Barangay Buhangin, Davao City.
According to Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco, it was solely the decision of the service provider, iOne Resources Joint Venture with Ardent Networks, Inc. (iOne JV), to store Starlink satellite transmission devices and solar panels there.
“Accordingly, these duties remain solely with iOne V and it is their obligation, through whatever means is most efficient, to forward or deploy such equipment, including the decision whether to temporarily store it in a staging area near the OEOs (Offices of Election Officer) and to proceed, prior to the election, to the voting and canvassing centers,” he said in a statement.
Laudiangco stated that iOne JV has verified that the location serves as one of their staging hubs, where their equipment is held temporarily prior to being delivered to the OEOs in adjacent towns and cities, as well as across the province.
To enhance security and ensure transparency, the Field Operations Group has instructed iOne JV to relocate the Starlink devices and solar panels from their present site in Davao City directly to the designated OEOs, with oversight from Comelec personnel and the Philippine National Police.
“Based on the submitted list, only 10 sets of Starlink devices, solar panels and batteries were involved. Upon completion of their placement in the said Comelec offices, an inventory shall be immediately conducted and a report shall be prepared,” Laudiangco said.
The private company has notified Comelec that their use of the area is temporary. They will begin the installation of equipment in voting and canvassing centers across the Davao Region starting April 15, in accordance with the deployment and installation schedule for the national and local midterm elections.
“We want to clarify that the Starlink devices and solar panels are for transmission only and have nothing to do with the machines and programs for reading ballots and counting votes, and they will only be used to transmit election returns and certificates of canvass,” Laudiangco said.
He noted that neither election programs nor software could influence the operation of automated counting machines, Consolidation and Canvassing Systems, or the overall Election Management System.
According to Laudiangco, election officials and provincial election supervisors across the country have been instructed to examine all hubs, warehouses, and storage facilities of iOne V within their jurisdictions, ensuring the strict enforcement of audit and security protocols.
“They are expected to report to the Field Operations Group as soon as possible,” he added./PN
