PPRCV ready for voters educ on new poll machines

MANILA, Philippines  - The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting on Wednesday said it is ready to conduct a voters' education once Commission on Elections approves use of new counting machines for the 2016 national polls.

PPCRV chairperson Henrietta de Villa said they are hoping that the poll body decides on the proposal earlier to give them time to familiarize themselves on how the new machines work.

"Ang importante sa amin regarding sa technology for automated election is as soon na magkaroon ng pagkakataon kung may pagbabago bigyang ng sapat na panahon para ang voters education ay mapatakbo right away. Kasi hindi madaling mag-train ng botante on the use of the new technology kung malaki ang pagbabago from that type of technology dapat magdecide na ang Comelec," de Villa said.

De Villa said that the Comelec's Advisory Council is now meeting to discuss the possibility of replacing the Precinct Count Optical Scan or PCOS machines in the coming 2016 polls.

Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes estimated that the poll body will need P11 billion to buy over 100,000 new counting machines.

De Villa said the government funds would not go to waste if it is used to ensure a clean and credible elections.

"Kung may enough fund according to the law, para sa akin ay hindi pag-aaksaya ang paggastos sa eleksyon basta ito ay para sa kabutihan ng halalan. It’s not a wasted expense. Nakikita naman natin na natatapon ang pera sa kung ano-anong scam ay bakit hindi magamit sa kabutihan ng eleksyon," she added.