Comelec, Metro mayors to ink pact on counting machines

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Metro Manila mayors in January for the purchase of counting machines to be used for the 2004 elections.

"We are already drafting the MOA for the purchase of counting machines to be signed by the Comelec and the mayors," Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. said in an interview.

Abalos said, however, a resolution still has to be decided upon by the Comelec en banc before any acquisition can be made.

He said that the mayors earlier agreed to finance the purchase. The machines will become the property of the local government.

"All Metro mayors have agreed. Only one brand will be used. But we still have to bid it out," Abalos explained.

Earlier, the Comelec chief assured the public that the poll body will not be beholden to the mayors even if they provide financial support to the modernization program.

The modernization of the Comelec has been put on hold for quite a while following the controversy involving the Voters Registration and Identification System (VRIS), a major component of the poll body’s computerization program. It was only after Abalos was appointed as Comelec chief that the program was able to get going.

Abalos said the modernization program is different from the earlier projects of the poll body.

"This is different from my predecessor’s project which was presented when I was still with the Cabinet. It is different because we are looking into the possibility of placing counting machines in every polling precinct," he said.

He said the counting machines would eliminate human intervention, which is the common cause of poll fraud.

The program will also allow the final results to be known 36 to 48 hours after election day.

Abalos also urged the government to allow them to borrow money to fund part of the modernization program.

"If the national government cannot provide us with funding, then we should be authorized to borrow money from lending institutions and banks," he said.

The Senate recently questioned the Comelec’s request to borrow money from lending institutions to finance the program.

Abalos said they were asked to ensure that the Comelec does not violate the Philippine Constitution if ever the poll body borrows money to finance the projects.

Initial talks were made earlier with the Landbank of the Philippines on the possibility of borrowing money for the modernization.

The Comelec also plans to have meetings with Development Bank of the Philippines if the go-signal is given.

Abalos said the Comelec needs to borrow some P4 billion by 2004 in order to continue with their modernization program.