MANILA, Philippines - The Liberal Party (LP) said yesterday it is prepared for the worst in the May 10 elections as it called on the public to be more vigilant with the first-ever poll automation that would have the results known shortly after voting closes.
LP standard-bearer Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III disclosed the party has designated lawyers and experts in information technology, considering that this is the first automated poll in the country.
“With our preparations against electoral fraud, we will do everything. All are helping us; we cannot rely on one group alone. Only the public can protect the sacred votes,” Aquino said.
The groups of piNoy lawyers and IT experts that will scrutinize the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines and voting results have been farmed out in the provinces, he said.
He said they would also get the support of their volunteers or their “Yellow Army” to ensure clean polls.
Aquino lamented that numerous concerns they raised before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) have fallen on deaf ears the past six months.
He cited, among others, the “undue advantage” the Comelec gave to his closest rival Sen. Manny Villar in the ballot design.