Chong to file complaint over 'misplaced' votes, VCM issues

MANILA, Philippines — Senatorial bet Glenn Chong plans to file a complaint with the Commission on Elections following reports of malfunctioning Vote Counting Machines (VCMs) and allegations of misplaced votes.

Chong headed to the Comelec, which is canvassing votes for nationally-elected officials at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay, in the late afternoon on Monday to question the credibility of the elections over complaints he said he received from voters across the country.

Chong, a former congressman of Biliran, has been an outspoken critic of the Comelec and of its tech provider Smartmatic.

READ: 4th automated polls: 220% more VCMs malfunctioning than in 2016

Chong's camp reportedly received the complaints on Monday through a 'call center' that he said is being manned by 24 volunteers.

"May mga complainants po ng mga botante, hindi po lumalabas yung pangalan ko sa resibo even if I was voted for," Chong said to the media.

(There were complaints from voters. Votes for me did not appear on the receipt even if I was voted for.)

The senatorial candidate cited alleged reports from Cagayan Province, Biliran, Manila, Batangas, Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro City.

Comelec: Get it in writing

But while Chong plans to pursue a case with the Comelec, he says he will not be providing any details regarding the incident.

"Ang sabi ko sa Comelec wala akong obligasyon to show anything, kayo ang dapat mag-explain. Do you really think the voter will lie?," he said.

(I told Comelec that I do not have an obligation to show anything. It is them who should explain. Do you really think the voter will lie?)

Chong said that he will file the complaint to have the Comelec conduct a manual recount of the vote.

"Manual recount without the necessity of filing a formal protest para hindi ho ako ang gagastos... kasi hindi ko naman kasalanan yan, kasalanan ng Comelec," Chong said.

(Manual recount without the necessity of filing a formal protest so I won't have to spend for it.... because it's not my fault. It's Comelec's fault.)

Meanwhile, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said that they had asked Chong to file a formal complaint so a proper investigation may be done.

"He made some allegations, he made some claims... we cannot prove or disprove them right away," Jimenez said.

"My friendly advice to him was, of course, you know, get it in writing and give us somewhere to start," he added.