Smartmatic boss is 'AIM' rocker

MANILA, Philippines – He rocks, and he’s an alumnus of the AIM academy as well.

Smartmatic president for Asia Pacific Cesar Flores set aside all thoughts of electoral protests and electronic fraud as he turned karaoke fanatic, prompting members of media to call him a student of AIM Academy, which stands for “Ayaw Iwanan ang Mic(rophone).”

Flores belted pop and rock numbers during Smartmatic’s thanksgiving party for the media held at The Establishment in The Fort, Taguig City last Tuesday night.

The Commission on Elections signed a contract with Smartmatic for P7.2 billion to lease 82,200 precinct count optical scan machines used in the May 10 automated elections.

Flores sang Creed’s “My Sacrifice,” “One Love,” The Knack’s “My Sharona” and his favorite song, “Iris” by the Googoo Dolls, to the delight of his fellow Smartmatic officials, reporters, editors and columnists.

But Flores showed that he was not only a good singer but also a fine dancer, doing the Brazilian samba with a television reporter.

Flores also danced with his fellow Venezuelan, Dayana Mendoza, 2008 Miss Universe and Smartmatic Ambassador for Transparency.

The pair looked so good together the audience screamed for more.

Mendoza was brought in by Smartmatic to show its gratitude to the Filipino people and stakeholders who helped make the May 10 automated election a success.Flores said he would be staying in the Philippines until the end of the year.