Comelec worried over possible manual system in 2010 polls

By Sheila Crisostomo. Philstar

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) expressed apprehensions yesterday that elections might revert back to the manual system with the failure of Congress to pass the P11.3-billion supplemental budget for automated polls for 2010.

According to Comelec Chairman Jose Melo, there is a snowballing proposal in the House of Representatives to use a “hybrid” of manual and automated systems.

He said deliberations on this proposal could further delay the release of the budget. “It’s been three weeks since the House began deliberating on our supplemental budget. Everything was all right until a certain congressman raised questions regarding a provision in Republic Act 9369 about manual voting,” Melo said, referring to Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez.

Golez had proposed to Comelec not to totally abandon the use of the manual system in the 2010 elections.

Golez pointed out the use of manual conduct of the elections is mandated in RA 9369. Golez led lawmakers in proposing that the local elections – from councilors to congressmen – should be done manually while those for national elective positions should be automated. To automate next year’s polls, the lawmakers wanted to amend the provisions of RA 9369 before allocating a separate budget to be used by Comelec.

“We are a little bit disappointed. I don’t think there is still time to pass the new law because Congress will be on recess (next week). We are in a quandary … we might end up doing it manually if we don’t get the budget soon enough,” Melo stressed.

Melo expressed concerns that another scandal-ridden elections like what happened during the 2004 presidential polls could occur anew if the 2010 exercise is done manually.

“If we go manual all the way, it would allow another Garci and that is the great danger,” Melo said, referring to former elections official Virgilio “Garci” Garcillano who was widely believed to have been responsible for rigging the results in Mindanao during the 2004 presidential elections.
National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) and Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting chairman Henrietta de Villa echoed similar concerns of manual elections next year.

“We are really disappointed. They (congressmen) should have raised it a long time ago when they were still deliberating on RA 9369,” De Villa said.

(Comment: Hay naku, DELIBERATE and INTENTIONAL neglect na naman ito ng mga congressmen - who are, by the way, majority loyal to the administration - not to pass this law of automating the election. Nakakahiya na! This is really shameful and a total embarassment on the part of our our corrupt lawmakers who will do their utmost to CHEAT and WIN the coming election in 2010. I am sure there will be another GARCI next year - 101%! We are the only alleged 'democracy' in this world manually counting the ballots because of the blatant neglect of these sonsofbitches in the government. These corrupt officials not only can cheat the upcoming election, but also save the budget for automation and POCKET the budget in various 'hidden' means. It's time to kick them out of the government. Let us remember that these assholes are mere government servants and not gods and untouchables. The people now should be the ones to throw them out of office by not electing them. They rigged elections and corrupt the money. So, let us kick them out in embarassing manners so that their families and children will not have the face to continue their bad names). Hay, di natuto ang Pilipino! If we want to continue suffering hardships and injustices for the next 10 years, go ahead and choose these assholes! But don't blame me for it - Melo is right and Golez is thinking very shortsightedly - I already told you so!