Poll modernization Abalos’ priority

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Benjamin Abalos is training his guns on finally implementing the long-delayed and controversial poll modernization program.

At the same time, the private poll watchdog National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) urged the Comelec to prioritize the automation of the 2004 presidential, congressional and local elections.

But the move may launch Abalos on a collision course with four of the poll body’s six other commissioners who have opposed the modernization program in favor of the voters’ identification and identification system (VRIS).

Abalos, however, stressed he would push for the modernization program with the participation of the entire commission.

"I’ll discuss this with the body. I am only one in the commission. Let this be a decision of the entire commission," Abalos said, apparently trying to bridge the gap between two Comelec factions.

"I wish I could do away with factionalism," he said. "Let’s just have one commission and, secondly, erase this perception (of electoral cheating) in the Philippines."

Abalos conceded that an improved voters’ registration system would also help reduce instances of electoral fraud but stressed that there is a greater need for counting machines so that election results could be immediately known.

Namfrel chairman Jose Concepcion agreed that automated counting and canvassing is a vital issue and is more important than the impeachment complaint the poll watchdog is preparing against Comelec Commissioner Luzviminda Tancangco.

Tancangco has repeatedly opposed poll automation because it would supposedly hide cheating and pushed instead for the VRIS which would cost the government some P6.5 billion.

Namfrel has accused Tancangco of undue interest in the VRIS project and slammed her for blocking the automated counting machines which, it claimed, could have saved the lives of 37 people who died in election-related violence in the May 2001 congressional and local elections.

But Concepcion said that while they would pursue the impeachment complaint they are preparing against Tancangco, they also recognize the more important issue of automated vote counting.

"What is important is to proceed with the automation. Let us take it one at a time. Otherwise, the issue might be diverted. We want to be focused on the automation of the counting and consolidation first," Concepcion said.

"We will not go into detail now, it will only confuse things. What is the most important is the automation. When that is resolved then we can discuss other items," he added.

Among the "other items" is the impeachment complaint they are preparing against Tancangco.

"We will proceed with the impeachment of Tancangco because the Constitution is very clear," Concepcion said.

He stressed that among the charges that will be brought against Tancangco is allegedly undue interest in the VRIS and her "responsibility" for the death of 37 people during the last elections supposedly because of the delay of the poll modernization program.

Determine KB relevance — solon

In a related development, opposition Sen. Tessie Aquino-Oreta wants the Senate to determine the relevance of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) following the Abalos’ pronouncement seeking the youth councils’ abolition.

"The Senate should study closely whether the SK remains relevant as a leadership training institution for Filipino youths, especially in the face of the support of Chairman Abalos for the abolition of the SK polls," Oreta said.

She said the inquiry should be conducted after Congress’ second regular session convenes in July.

"Such a Senate inquiry will help determine how the youth can best participate in public and civic affairs and look for better alternatives to strengthen the role of the young in nation-building," Oreta said.

Abalos claimed the SK elections have only exposed the youth to politics and corruption at an early age.

Aside from Abalos’ reason for seeking SK abolition, Oreta also cited the low turnout of the special registration for new youth voters.

"This development appears to indicate that young Filipinos have become disillusioned by the poor performance of past and present SK officials, so much so that they would rather not participate in choosing the next batch of youth leaders," she said. — With Efren Danao, Aurea Calica