Comelec chair links Smartmatic to offshore transactions

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia presented evidence linking Smartmatic Services Corp. to alleged offshore bank transactions, with the entity Jaleo Consulting, LLC conducting transactions initiated by a volunteer from New York.

Garcia revealed that the owner of Jaleo Consulting, Jose A. Herrera, is reportedly the legal counsel of Comelec's previous AES provider, Smartmatic, and the father-in-law of one of Smartmatic's founders.

The Comelec chairman further noted that Jaleo Consulting, LLC shares the same business address as Smartmatic Services Corp., raising suspicions of foreign intervention in Philippine elections.

Garcia also highlighted that the address of Albatross Technologies Corporation, linked to offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands, is the same as Smartmatic's address, questioning if this is a mere coincidence.

He has written to the US Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the matter, citing potential violations of anti-money laundering laws, bank fraud, and identity theft.

Smartmatic has denied any involvement, calling Garcia's remarks "unfair and unjust" and stating their focus remains on their legal efforts.