No meeting with Noynoy for Miss Universe 2008 Mendoza

Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza, who is the new Ambassador for Transparency of poll machine supplier Smartmatic, won't be having the chance to meet President-elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III anytime soon.

In a chance interview with reporters on Wednesday, Smartmatic Asia president Cesar Flores said they tried to request an audience with Aquino but said that it probably won't be granted.

"I think he's very busy in putting together the Cabinet," he said.


Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza on Wednesday went to the Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila to meet and congratulate poll body officials regarding the recent nationwide automated elections. - Kim Tan
Flores noted, however, that they understand how busy the newly elected president is. "I think he's just doing more important things... we understand that he's very busy... maybe next time," he said.

Mendoza, the fifth Venezuelan to win the Miss Universe contest, arrived on Monday night and is scheduled to leave the country on Thursday.

On Wednesday, she went to the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila to meet with election officials and congratulate them for conducting a successful automated elections.

"Congratulations to the Comelec for such great work with the automation... the whole world is talking about it," Mendoza said.

The poll officials, headed by Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, were delighted by Mendoza's visit. "We are honored by the visit. We are happy by the visit of Dayana," he said.

Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer even joked that if Smartmatic had brought Mendoza even before the elections, they would have "lessened" the number of their critics.

"We have to thank Smartmatic... without your help, we will not have a successful elections," added Commissioner Lucenito Tagle.

Commissioner Elias Yusoph noted, however, that they still have to conduct some special elections so it is not yet time for the Comelec to be thanking Smartmatic.

Smartmatic will also be donating 50 laptops to Habitat for Humanity and a public school in Tondo, Manila, on Wednesday afternoon supposedly as part of the company's efforts to educate the next generation of voters.

Mendoza will be present in both events.


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