Story perspectives

Smartmatic Faces Federal Charges for Philippine Bribery Scheme

10/19/2025

Summary

Story summary

Smartmatic, a voting technology company, faces federal charges in Miami for foreign bribery and money laundering related to contracts in the Philippines.
Co-founder Roger Piñate and former executive Jorge Vasquez allegedly paid over $1 million in bribes to a Philippine election official from 2015 to 2018.
The indictment includes Smartmatic as a defendant, claiming a decade-long scheme to secure contracts worth about $199 million.
Smartmatic denies the allegations, asserting they are politically motivated, following prior lawsuits against right-wing media for false claims about the company’s role in the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

History

Historical Context

In 2015, the Philippines' Commission on Elections awarded Smartmatic a $199 million contract to modernize its electoral system, despite previous controversies surrounding the company. Allegations of bribery emerged in 2024, echoing past claims of election tampering, particularly after the contentious 2016 elections. This ongoing scrutiny highlights persistent concerns about transparency and accountability in electoral technology, impacting democratic processes globally.

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Story summary

Smartmatic, a voting technology company, faces federal charges in Miami for foreign bribery and money laundering related to contracts in the Philippines.
Co-founder Roger Piñate and former executive Jorge Vasquez allegedly paid over $1 million in bribes to a Philippine election official from 2015 to 2018.
The indictment includes Smartmatic as a defendant, claiming a decade-long scheme to secure contracts worth about $199 million.
Smartmatic denies the allegations, asserting they are politically motivated, following prior lawsuits against right-wing media for false claims about the company’s role in the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

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