What Next, COMELEC?

During this presidential election year of 2010, the COMELEC allegedly did much preparation to safeguard a clean and honest election process. It wants to ensure an ‘honest count of votes’. The automated election process is one, according to the Region 6 regional director, that will bring in this reality. Definitely, this is next to the hi-tech means for the electorates’ way of finding out their precinct. The COMELEC had been persuading the people to verify their voter information in order that they know their respective precincts in the May 10, 2010 election through their website: www.comelec.gov.ph
Great! People will be saving time. No need to elbow their way to seek out their name. Somehow the Commission on Election (COMELEC) has gained an inch of the electorates’ trust. That was months ago though.
The COMELEC is facing yet another issue that spells big trouble
if not addressed well and if things don’t come out true and correct. The result of the PCOS machine testing yielded a negative reaction from the candidates and the people.
Congressman Gilbert Remulla disclosed that when the PCOS machine was tested in Pampanga, where 5 supporters of each of the presidential candidates Noynoy Aquino and Manny Villar cast their votes, it resulted into a ‘zero’ score for them while another presidential bet, Gibo Teodoro got a perfect ‘10’. The Nacionalista and Liberal parties cried foul plus the obvious insinuation that Malacañang will do everything to make their party standard bearer win.
In another venue, vice presidential bet Jejomar Binay of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino said that in Makati where the PCOS was tested in 16 schools the result was just as defective as that in Pampanga. In one precinct, 5 of his supporters allegedly cast their votes but it gave him a score of ‘zero’ too. What does it show then? The COMELEC declared it to be a defect in the gadget like memory cards that it didn’t read right. It is, according to Cong. Remulla, Arroyo’s plan to cheat again. The people have their own point of view regarding this matter too. Some say it must be the gadgets while most clamor that it only confirms their doubts about the plan for a widespread and high-tech dishonesty that may happen with the PCOS machines.
Woe! The Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machine issue today is the hottest topic everywhere, even in the street corners. Varied reactions are expressed as well as a lot of speculations regarding the pros and cons of this COMELEC preparations and the oncoming election itself.
Atty. Romulo Makalintal, in his public pronouncement over the airwaves, suggested a 15-day postponement of the election as he resigned as the election lawyer of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Is this right? Or will it give cheaters a little more time to improve their devises?
Fiery Senator Meriam Defensor-Santiago countered (and I quote) “The Election Code doesn’t allow a nationwide postponement… Elections can only be postponed in political subdivisions.” A political subdivision refers to a particular place within the country like the province, municipality or a city. Therefore, elections can be postponed in certain areas but not for the whole nation.
How sad it is for the country with leaders who are willing to trade with the devil just to remain in power. It is depressing to note that those with greater authority in our midst will rather bargain with the demon and forget about integrity if only to stay in the position to rule, enrich themselves and dominate the countrymen. Appalling?
Monsignor Meliton Oso said that he is hoping and praying that the COMELEC will find a solution soon because they are doing their best to address it now. He really believes in the credibility of the institution too. Anyway, according to him, we still have three days to think of the solutions.
Well, last year they had over 365 days to think, plan and execute the plan with permissible minor flaws when this day of final showdown comes but Monsignor definitely wants us to witness a miracle. Hahaha! Let’s cross our finger that everything will be alright.
My daughter, Marra Francillan put it bluntly saying, “It’s okay, they’re used to their loss of integrity but losing their credibility for this 2010 election altogether will be a new experience. That’s something worth finding out, you know.”