Comelec allots P3.8B for VRIS

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has allotted P3.8 billion for the implementation of the Voters’ Registration and Identification System (VRIS), the long-delayed project to automate the country’s electoral system.

In an interview, Comelec Commissioner Resurreccion Borra said the amount would come from the poll body’s P10.7-billion total budget proposed for year 2003-2005.

He said the total budget for the Comelec modernization program has been set at P6 billion.

From the total, P3.8 billion will go to VRIS while P1.2 billion has been allotted for the Automated Counting and Consolidation of Results System. The remaining P1 billion will be appropriated for other expenses like purchase of computers.

Borra pointed out that the poll body did not request a budget for Precinct Mapping since the project already has a total budget of P500 million.

"We have been pushing for the modernization program because our equipment, including computers, are already obsolete," he said.

The VRIS provides a comprehensive and integrated solution for voter registration including the development and maintenance of a secure electoral database that would serve as the foundation for clean and honest elections.

Photokina Marketing Corp. was awarded the project two years ago following one of the most exhaustive and highly technical bidding procedures ever conducted by the Comelec. The consortium bested the field by garnering the highest technical score and submitting the lowest price, outbidding its closest rival by more than P500 million.

The VRIS Project Team is made up of Photokina, Polaroid, Unisys, Headstrong, US-based IBM and French security company Sagem.

Despite having already been given a notice of award by the poll body, Photokina was prevented from implementing the project last year.

Previous Comelec leadership had discontinued the project after claiming there had been anomalies in the bidding process.

Budget constraints also delayed the implementation of the VRIS. Photokina’s bid was P6.5 billion while the Comelec budget was only P1.2 billion.

Demetriou’s successor, Alfredo Benipayo, also refused to honor the deal with Photokina. There was no appropriation for the VRIS during Benipayo’s term.

However, new Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos said the poll body could re-negotiate with Photokina if the Supreme Court upholds the legality of the winning bid for the VRIS.

Borra explained if no court decision is handed down before the Department of Budget and Management approves their proposed budget, the Comelec would have to re-align the allotment for the VRIS.

Borra was among three members of the commission who had petitioned the SC for cancellation of the VRIS . The two others were Benipayo and Commissioner Florentino Tuason Jr.

Asked about the possibility of withdrawing his petition against the VRIS, Borra said: "I would approach it with a judicious decision."

He noted that the Office of the Solicitor General based at the Comelec is representing the poll body in its petition.

No endorsement

Abalos reiterated yesterday he was not endorsing winning bidder Photokina.

"Let me emphasize that from the beginning of my term. I already signified my intention to inhibit myself from the transaction due to my relationship with the owners of the company," the Comelec chief said in a press statement.

He noted that the matter is now with the Supreme Court.

"I still believe though that the Commission should not be held hostage by those legal entanglement. It is for this reason that the Commission will continue to explore other possibilities of implementing the modernization program in accordance with Republic Act 8189, the law that provides for the development and use of a technology that will capture and electronically store the required data on registered voters," Abalos said.

Abalos said problems in the just-concluded barangay elections showed how badly the government needs to maintain a secure list of voters.

The Comelec chief admitted that there have been numerous complaints regarding the voters’ lists in the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections conducted July 15. His office also received several reports of flying voters in several polling precincts.

Abalos said the Comelec en banc has agreed to propose a National Central Registration System, which calls for computerized fingerprinting and storing of electronic photographs to prevent double-registration during poll exercises.

"In this manner, a voter need not present any ID card since the said document will serve to identify the individual," he said.

The Comelec is also recommending the use of automated counting machines, electronic tabulation and consolidation in order to speed up the process while curtailing any opportunity for manipulation.

In the next few weeks, we intend to propose the appropriate modernization program that will embody the above considerations. In this endeavor, the Commission shall proceed with prudence, bearing in mind the welfare of the Filipino people," Abalos said.