Today, the Philippines is literally hanging on the edge of disaster. Today, May 10, 2010 is election day in the Philippines. The Presidency, Vice Presidency, Senate, Congress, Provincial Government Offices and Local Government Offices are all up for grabs today, here in the Philippines. Every elected office in the Country, except for Barangay level positions are up for election today.
In the past, except for one previous election in the ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao), Philippine Elections have always been on paper ballots, and were hand counted. The process took weeks to complete, and you never really knew who the winner was until weeks had passed.
This year, for the first time on a nationwide scale, vote tabulating is being done electronically. The actual voting is still done on paper, a “bubble” is filled in next to the Candidate’s name whom you wish to vote for, then the ballot is run through what is called a Smartmatic PCOS machine, which records the filled in bubble votes on the ballot and tabulates the votes. Under the new system, it is said that results of the election can be expected within about 2 days or so.
That’s 2 days if everything proceeds as planned. However, it appears that the situation is almost chaos with this new voting method. Over the past months, I have been fairly confident that the voting would proceed smoothly, and while there may be a few glitches here and there, overall the election would be pretty successful, mechanics-wise. However, in recent days, a lot has happened to show that the machines may not be the right way to go, or at least that preparations have been lacking.
The first big sign started a couple of weeks ago when overseas voting was conducted for Filipinos in Hong Kong. Two voting machines failed in Hong Kong. I do not recall how many machines there were total there, but it was not a large number. As I recall, it was less than 20 machines total, and two of the machines failed. So, this means that something like 10% of the machines in use did not work properly. Can you imagine if 10% of the voting machines around the entire Philippines do not work properly?
The next big problem on the machines occurred last week. A practice run with the machines was conducted in Manila last week, and the entire system failed dismally. They discovered that the Compact Flash cards that give the machines instructions on how to tally the votes were programmed incorrectly. Each machine has a different programming on the Compact Flash card, because this is where the candidate’s names and such are stored. So, each area has different candidates, and thus each machine has different information programmed into it. For example, the Mayor, City Council and such is different in every City. For offices that are nationwide, like President, Vice President and Senators the results were OK, but for all local offices the results were wrong. In fact, if you voted for Mr. Smith, the tally was given to a different candidate, according to the programming on the machines! Thus, even if Candidate Smith got 70% of the votes, he was the loser, because the votes shifted to Candidate Jones, or whoever. Oh my!
So, on Tuesday and Wednesday last week, the Comelec (Philippine Commission on Elections) announced that they had to recall the Compact Flash Cards from every PCOS machine in the Philippines (about 80,000 machines in all) and every one of those cards had to be re-programmed. All of this had to happen in time to get the cards back to the polling places by election time on Monday. In some far flung regions of the Philippines, this logistical task was virtually impossible. There are remote parts of the country that cannot be reached without days of travel.
Last week, when it was announced that all Compact Flash Cards must be re-programmed, a number of candidates and others (including President Arroyo’s Elections Attorney) called for the Elections to be postponed by a month or so, so that the machine problems can be addressed fully. Other parts of Philippine society was in an uproar over the possibility of postponing the elections.
Part of the problem, and the reason I am saying that the Philippines is hovering on the brink of disaster today is because a large percentage of Philippine Society despises the current President. For years, much of society has been saying that the current President plans to become a dictator and will not relinquish power at the end of her term. There has been constant speculation for years now that elections will not happen, and democracy will fail in the Philippines. I personally do not think that the President ever planned this, and she has always categorically denied such a plot. However, any postponement in the elections will only embolden these critics and make them say “see, I told you so” and, in my belief, such an event could lead to violent protests in the streets of the Philippines.
The Comelec should have been better prepared. They should have been testing these machines a year ago, not a week ago. What is the plan if there are brownouts? Brownouts are a regular part of life now, will the machines still work? There are battery backups, but will the data become corrupted or lost when power goes down? There are so many questions about these machines. Some of the poll workers also say that they don’t even know how to use the machines. What happens then?
Today will be a historic day in the Philippines, no doubt about that. If things go smoothly and the machines work properly it will be historic in that a new batch of elected officials will be chosen, and for the first time it will be done partly by electronic methods. If the machines fail, if elections fail, or something like that, well it will be historic in a more negative sense. Whatever happens, I hope that the people of the Philippines can maintain peace and order, roll with the punches, and make it through the day without violence or disruption of society.
There will be glitches today, I have no doubt. I think that even the most fervent supporter of the new voting system would agree that glitches will occur. It will be how the people deal with the glitches, and how serious the glitches are that will determine the success of the elections, and the satisfaction of the Filipino people.
We will all be watching to see what happens. Good luck, Philippines. Choose wisely.
” she has always categorically denied such a plot ”
well, isnt that comforting !!! NOT hahaha
Hi ian – We can’t know what is in Gloria’s mind, but I personally have never seen any evidence that she ever had a plot to remain in power beyond 2010. I guess the fact that there are elections today kind of validates that thinking. 😉
Bob- my comment was more about a politician “categorically denying something ” and not about the possibility of a plot.
I’m sure she would never do anything to illegally or immorally extend her mandate !! [ big wink with that one ! ]
I dont envy the people of the Philippines today.
I dont think there are any obvious choices to be made.
Even if I am an educated, concerned, and have studied all of the options available, who do I vote for that will help my country out of poverty and restore a sense of national pride worth working for ?
How much harder for the uneducated and uninformed who can only vote for who has the slickest campaign or who is the best know actor or who is a member of the most influential family .
Some may say that you get the government that you deserve, but I think it has been a long time since the people of the Phil got the government that they deserved.
Hi ian – I am with you. On the President/VP level, I do not see anybody running that I could get excited about voting for. On other levels, I am sure that there are people who can begin making change, or continue changes that have already been put into place. Here in Davao, there are a number of exciting candidates running, IMHO. But for President…. nah, I see nothing that excites me.
Hi Bob – The best headline I’ve seen in the e-newspapers yesterday shouted that “worryworts” over the election process were going to provide “election monitors” to polling places. That’s all the teachers running the election processes need – more bodies in the room to watch!
But hey, the fiesta atmosphere will continue. After all, it’s a holiday from work, too. The people will not be denied! 😆
My only fears are post-election results. Threats of people power action, civil suits, criminal tort actions, etc. have all been made to cover any defeat. My actual problem is not about having a successful candidate happily assuming office. It’s about seven unhappy candidates begrudgingly conceding, one by one, and all of the grandstanding that will accompany each. Then, there are the disgruntled campaign workers! 🙁
I say, pass a law whereby all losing campaigns take a week and cleanse the islands of all campaign signs and paraphernalia! 😆
Forgot to say – “Time for Change” = G1bo!
Hmm???
G1bo = Gilberto Eduardo Gerardo “Gilbert”/”Gibo” Cojuangco Teodoro, Jr.
Hi Paul – Yeah, I know who Gibo is… I was just unsure how he represents change?
Oh! Change. Well, . . .
Here is Paul’s TOP TEN Reasons for Change with G1BO:
#10. He’s not PGMA. 😆
#9. He comes from the side of the “family” that stands exactly opposite of the Conjuango-Aquino dynasty’s (including Noynoy’s)policies.
#8. His father was SSS administrator under President Marcos.
#7. His uncle is chairman of San Miguel Corp., maker of world famous San Miguel Beer. 😉
#6. His campaign shuns BLACK Propaganda, mud-slinging, etc.
#5. His musical jeepneys are quieter and play better music. 🙂
#4. He’s known for being competent (something other candidates avoid talking about).
#3. He’s a uniter; as a party newcomer (formerly with Nationalist People’s Coalition) he took over the Lakas-Kampo-CMD party leadership from PGMA with full party support, uniting all branches of the party/eliminating petty party bickering; he could once again replace PGMA and do the unity thing for the Philippines.
#2. He was extremely effective in mitigating typhoon devistation during his stint as the Chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council, even with primary responsibilities and budgets for such are under the direct control of local government units.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE NUMBER ONE REASON:
#1. He is the only candidate fluent in ILOKANO! 😆
Hi Paul – As I said to Ian earlier, I won’t get into endorsing or discussing individual candidates. Hope you understand.
I dont know Bob- its pretty hard not to endorse a guy whose jeepneys play better music !!
Hi ian – Ha ha… I admit, whoever plays the best music is hard to pass by for the vote! Problem is, all of the speakers on the jeepneys are so distorted, I can’t tell which songs they are playing! 😉
Oh, this wasn’t a candidate endorsement, voting recommendation or any other possbile straying from government laws and codes (re: foreign injection into elections).
This was (what now appears to be a failed) attempt to steal a comedy routine, and tailor it to be a substitute for the 24/7/maybe 365 election coverage on TV! 😆
I AM NEUTRAL (with no drive and unwilling to reverse). 😆
Ah, got you, Paul! 😉 Always good to have a LiP Top Ten list! 😀
Hi, Paul!
I really think Gibo is a fine choice, too. Many say his platform for the country is one of the most concrete. He’s my second choice actually, after Gordon. I like the reasons why you preferred Gibo, but I like #7 most of all. Haha! 🙂
Hi Paul – I like that idea about losing candidates cleaning up the mess! Somebody needs to do it!
I believe there is such a law, it certainly seems to be observed (to some extent, anyway) in my area of Bulacan. They don’t ever get _all_ the mess, but I see people at work after every election cleaning up.
Hi Dave – Yeah, they never get it all. Until recently, I was still seeing a few odd signs from 2007. I don’t see them anymore, though, because they have been plastered over by 2010 signs now! 😯
Go Nonoy/Roxas and of course Duterte in Davao. Courtesy of my wife Lynn.
Many asked that there be a method of counting manually, in case of issues with the system. Personally, I wouldn’t accept a system that does not have a manual back-up. In fact, in our last Provincial elections, we had a couple of re-counts in two regions & the initial results – computer counted – did not jive with successive manual recounts. I think that both methods would be more prudent, and that the use of both is worth paying for.
I think that the credibility of these elections are shot, regardless of when they occur, due to the questions surrounding the voting equipment & supplier. I just hope that people stay calm.
Mike2
Hi Mike – The Comelec elected not to do a simultaneous manual count. But, paper ballots will still be available for a count at a later time, should the need occur.
I’m not filipino and so obviously cant vote. And in fact I dont have a definite opinion about who i would recommend that people vote for. But I did just read a bloggers comments that i found interesting- and whose sentiments I like:
Friends have been asking me who my candidate for President is, and most of the time I don’t give a straight answer, The reason is simple: I am a journalist, and I don’t want to give the impression that I am biased for any candidate. But since there are only a few more days till election day – assuming it actually pushes through – then I think it’s safe to reveal my choice.
It’s Noynoy.
All the other candidates proclaim their qualifications like they were the be-all and end-all of the presidency. Noynoy, however, has been transparent and has never claimed to know all the answers to all our problems. But what he has is something the other candidates don’t: the trust and confidence of the people.
What we need is a leader who can inspire us to greatness, not one who promises to solve all our problems for us. If we believe in the line “the Filipino can,” then the leader we choose must be the one who can tap into that innate ability – not one who we will expect to do all the work himself.
Besides, what have the other candidates’ qualifications done for them? Senator Manny Villar used his “sipag at tiyaga” to amass a fortune – but apparently through unethical means. Former Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro may have “galing at talino,” but it proved no match for the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy when he failed to mount a decent rescue operation as head of the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC).
How about Senator Richard Gordon? Forget about it. Bro. Eddie Villanueva? I supported him in 2004, but I think his time has passed; 2004 was his year to be President, but his group failed to translate the massive support of the people into actual votes. Nicanor Perlas is certainly qualified, but he hasn’t really sparked the imagination of the people. I don’t trust Senator Jamby Madrigal because she tried to pay me and other Davao City journalists after an interview when she first ran for the Senate. JC delos Reyes is too religious; I don’t want my President to impose the Catholic church’s laws on the country.
Noynoy may not have had a stellar career, but he is clean, he is honest, and he commands respect. If he can get us all to work together, then half his job is done.
Random Posts:
Hi ian – I personally do not endorse any candidates, nor am I going to comment on how I feel about any certain candidates. I hope you understand.
Hi Ian (and I understand your position Bob)
Ian, you seem to have forgotten the white knight and his white horse. He is currently running a good second. I would love to see him as president again as he is on record that he believes in payback-time and will go after Our Dear Leader.
Hi Bob- There has been many discussions relating to the Election 2010 with rumour of plots and sub plots on various ex-pat group sites and blogs over the last few weeks.Whatever we say think or do it will not make one iota of difference to the eventual outcome.I say, just lets be optimistic that the process goes well today and is violence free and the Philippines becomes a better place as a consequence of the results. Marilou as I write this is across the road from our house doing her duty and registering her votes.
Regards.
Jim.
Hi Jim – I agree wholeheartedly. The fact that you and I, and most other LiP readers can make no difference in the process is one of the reasons why I have written very little about the elections here on LiP. I do with the Philippines and the Filipino people well, and I hope that everything goes smoothly.
Bob- absolutely i understand- thats why I prefaced my comments by saying that i have no opinion on candidates either. I didnt chose the post because he ended up picking nonoy- I just liked his analysis. But more so, I liked what he said about the people of the Philippines having to make the changes themselves, and not pinning all of their hopes on one candidate or another.
Understood, ian.
Hi Bob,
I have always considered my self politically minded, and opinonated also. The older I get the more of a cynic I become. Government is corrupt everywhere, including here in the US. I have come to the conclusion that the only function of government, in any country, is to create more government. Meanwhile, the average guy gets screwed.
I really do hope the filipino people gets worthy people in office that want to see the filipino suceed. I pray for that.
Hi hudson – Yes, there is corruption everywhere, no doubt.
Good explanation of the problem’s so far Bob .. I mean the mechanical/logistical problems.
What a lot of people seem to forget is, there is already a parallel paper system .. these issues mentioned are software/firmware glitches and every person’s vote will be on a paper ballot which is read by the machine and then placed into a locked ballot box until after the election results are certified.
But indeed, that does not excuse the virtually laughable (if it wasn’t so critical) job of preparation displayed.
One issue you didn’t mention is so simple it’s amusing … no one paid attention .. the ballots are double spaced for readability, the tabulating machines can be set for single spaced or double spaced ballots. Guess which one the default is, and guess which one a large number of machines across the country are like still set for. Oh dear.
Anyone remember the excellent Robin Williams movie, “Man Of the Year”?
Of course those of us who want to critique need to look no farther than the 2000 Presidential Election in the USA. It took how many days to declare a presidential winner, all over disagreement in how votes should be counted, and most of the disputes were about mechanically-oriented malfunction like the infamous “hanging chad”.
So there’s plenty of room to do better on both sides of the ‘pond’.
Everything is running smooth so far locally, we’ll say a little prayer the peace continues. God bless the Philippines and the USA.
Hi Dave – Yes, the mis-programming of the compact flash cards was due to the single/double spacing issue. I didn’t write about it, because I considered it too technical to be able to explain well, and really the technicality of it didn’t matter much in terms of the article anyway.
Yes, the USA has had it share of voting related problems, and Britain had some last week too, so nobody can point the finger too strongly.
Bob I really have no idea why any country goes to the expense of machine voting, when it is so susceptible to machine breakdown or human intervention. It’s not like elections are held every month and the cost is crippling the country.
In Australia, people fill out a ballot paper which is later counted by an official tally clerk who interprets the clear intention of the voter. If that’s impossible to determine, the vote is not counted. Representatives of the candidates observe the process and they can challenge a decision in a court of disputed returns. Yes it’s a labour-intensive system but electoral fraud is unknown and there have never been any serious allegations of it that I have heard.
Machine voting to me is an example of obsession with digital technology triumphing over common sense.
Hi Ken – I personally don’t have a problem with using a voting machine if it can help bring a faster result that is also accurate. This election will certainly be a test to see how things work out! So far, things are not looking bad this morning! I hope it stays that way.
Hi Ken. Yes, paper ballots are so much better – as typified by the hanging chads in Florida. One really good thing about the Australian system is that you are obliged to go to the polling station. When I have lived in foreign countries and eventually gained the right to vote I was so hacked off with locals who couldn’t be bothered. As of the count here at about 10pm, the turn out was about 75 percent – good on you Filipinos!
why does the philippines have election at all, the rich win in the end
here in ozamis there is massive vote buying and i’m sure it same all over philippines.500 peso to 3000 peso.VOTE BUYING IS VIOTATION OF THE OMNILUS ELECTION CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES’ what am joke
Hi franklin – Well.. the rich win in elections in every country. I don’t ever recall a poor man winning or even being able to run in the US. But, that’s the way things work, unfortunately.
Yeah, I have seen some vote buying on TV news too… it’s really a shame.
Such a sweeping statement deserves a reply.
To run for President of the USA takes a lot of financial backing these days however humble or exalted your origins. This probably goes for the lesser positions like Senator and Congressman.
In the UK in days gone by when the trade unions and Labour party were two separate wings of the Socialist movement your humble origins were a positive asset. Ernest Bevin was a labourer and lorry driver before rising to the dizzy heights of foreign secretary and Lord Privy Seal.
In more recent times John Prescott a once steward in the Merchant Navy became a cabinet minister and deputy of the New Labour Party. Margaret Thatcher a Tory Prime Minister was not ashamed of her humble shopkeeper beginnings.
I do admit it does help to have a few quid.
Hi John – To be honest, I can’t figure out if you are agreeing or disagreeing with me! Ha ha… Franklin made the comment that why does the Philippines even have elections, because only the rich end up being elected. All I am saying is that in general, people who are not rich are not even able to run for office these days, no matter the country. I can’t quite figure out where you stand on that, based on what you said in your comment.
Sorry if I was obtuse, in the UK in days gone being born well bred or nueveau riche was not a prerequisite for a career on the left of the political spectrum. Today the right(correct) scholastic/political career path is more important than your offshore bank accounts. However to paraphrase Cicero “Money is the sinews of Politics” so don’t leave home without it.
To sum up I do agree with you concerning gaining the higher offices of state, particular in the USA and to a lesser extent in the UK in that money helps, but this was not always true.
If I have not made myself clear then it is all in the best traditions of the British Civil Service.
Thanks for clarifying, John. I get your point now.
And the British Civil Service used to be the best of its type in the world – the outgoing UK government ruined it. It is a pity that Britain gave the Philippines back to the Spanish – there probably would have been a good Civil Service here (as at most – but not all – ex-colonies) – and we would have had proper roads here in Davao!
Stevan,
Gordon Brown and his “government” have not exactly quit yet, although he seems to have resigned from the leadership of the party (from September) he is still hoping for a Lib Lab (+ others?) coalition so he can continue as prime minister for a while.
On a historical note GB was not de facto ruler of all of the Philippines, her remit only really extended to Manila and Cavite. There were other areas that had British governors for a short time.
By the Treaty of Paris 1763 The Philippines was returned to Spain only because the Foreign office (another oversight) didn’t realise we were administrating it and therefore forgot to include it in the treaty coming under a general clause that all other lands not mentioned were to return to Spain. Bless their little cotton socks.
Still if we had held on to the colonies we may well have been greeted with “Hello Tommy” and not “Hi Joe” today.
Or, perhaps, “Hoy, mate”!
Hi, Bob!
Just finished voting at Pagkakaisa Elementary School here in Biñan, Laguna. It was fairly fast! Can’t believe it myself! Just less than an hour, including travelling to the school and waiting time! It was very orderly, the queue went smoothly and almost everybody in the school area was in good mood to vote and were smiling. A granny was amazed at the new automated method. 🙂 I wonder why some other areas in the country were encountering problems, as I hear from the news on TV. If you ask me, the automated system is the way to go!
Congrats on casting your vote, JR! You are the first person I heard say how quick it was!
Yes, Bob! Very simple and without much fuss. No need to be an egghead to fill-out those egg-shaped options. Haha! But I guess many other areas were not so prepared, even those some in Metro Manila.
That’s great news, JR!
Hi JR & Bob – Congrats, JR. Systems do work if people only use them without trying to think too hard.
One thing I’ve noticed – the areas reporting long waiting times for voting seem to be the same locations where residents all try to push and shove their way into an empty jeepney just before it almost comes to a stop. The “successful ones” always sit right there at the exit, too, adding to the push & shove confusion. 😆
Ha ha… what a pundit! You can pick out the trends, Paul! 😉
Hi, Paul!
Thanks! The new system of voting is indeed far better than before, but then you’re right. Even with this automated thing in place, if people are too cynical about it, and if the voters aren’t disciplined enough, the whole voting system would only be a disaster like before. Fortunately, that didn’t happen in the precints where I voted. But in the classroom that served as the waiting area, we were sitting in chairs suited for first grade pupils! haha! 🙂
Hi JR
Binan is where I have my home in the Philippines. Good to see everything is going smooth there.
Hi, Dan!
Glad to hear you have a home here in my hometown! As you might know already, Manny Pacquiao has a home here, too, near Brentville International School, where his kids go to study.
Yes, the voting in Binan went very smoothly, and we haven’t heard of breakdown in the machines, squabblings, and other problems. There was a festive mood even, but one thing not-so-likeable at all is that the place (the school) was kinda littered with sample ballots and campaign flyers. But generally, it was far better than the previous elections. 🙂
Im sure what ever the outcome of the election there will be demonstrations in the street claiming the election was “Fixed” its probably a question of how big the demonstrations will be. It seems to be pretty much the norm there in RP from what I have see/read about in the past.
It can’t be worse than having a “Hanging Chad” lol
hi Bob, its my first time to be in this site… im living outside the country right now and i was looking for something that gives a live update about the election goin on there and i got here..i read few of the posts and its really…hmmmm..engaging and informative…yer doin a great job here… hoping for a safe and successful election over there.thanks for this online mag!
I am glad that you found the site, yelena. I hope you continue to visit and enjoy reading here.
Meriam waited 6 hours to vote today. People are still waiting at 8:30 pm. She stood in line..on her feet..for 6 hours. NOT me.
Cheers,
Gary in Tagum
I’m surprised that people are still waiting to vote at 8:30 pm when it was announced that the polls were closing at 7 pm
MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) – In a bid to solve the long queues and delays in the voting, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) extended the voting period by 1 hour.
Comelec chair Jose Melo said the voting period will end at 7 p.m., instead of 6 p.m. as originally scheduled
Hi ian – Under the law, they must remain open if people are still waiting in line. So, the official close time was 7pm, but if people were in line at that time, they must stay open until those people can vote.
That is indeed a long day, Gary!
Hey Bob congrats on your new Mayor and vice mayor. I know you don’t comment but what a relief. Can you imagine having to continue to see even more gyms, schools, bus stops, and road signs with the Nograles name all over them for the next 4 year.
Hi richard – I’m still waiting to find out who won the Congressional race for the 1st District of Davao. That will determine who’s name we see on the Basketball hoops for the next 3 years (terms are 3 years, not 4!). 😆
I never understood that. I’d see the Nograles name everywhere so I figured he must have a vanity issue as I have never seen this in any other city to the extent in Davao. I mean generally people don’t get their names on things unless they are dead. So what you are saying is this is status quo in Davao and the next guy will most likely do the same (Yea I forgot gyms LOL). Yikes. Maybe a nice blue this time around.
Hi richard – I have seen this all over the Philippines. Maybe it happens a bit more in Davao, though. Let’s put it like this… if a “guy” wins that Congressional seat, they don’t have to change the names (Boy’s son, Karlo Nograles is the candidate). If a “girl” wins the seat, either the naming will stop, or at least we will have a new name on everything (Mabel Sunga Acosta).
One final point. It would seem so odd that they would continue to keep the Nograles name in play and elect the son of a person they obviously detest or is it they love Duterte so much. Accoring to my wife no one likes Nograles in Davao and it seems to have played out that way in the election for Mayor (3x now). Also I was under the impression that these eletions were going to be a pivitol change in the dynamics of representation in the country by at least trying getting rid of the same ol same ol
Hi richard – without a doubt, Dabawenyos love the Dutertes. It really shows in the results of yesterday’s elections.
Bob;
I still have a pocket full of Dangling Chad’s left over from the Bush/Gore election in Florida. In my Barangay there were 5 machines, one broke down, and that’s 40% here, so Hong Kong is in good shape. I miss the singing Jeepneys already!
Hi Paul – I got up early this morning, about 4am. I have been sitting here in my office with the windows open, enjoying the cool morning air. I have been having a feeling, though, that something is wrong, but couldn’t figure out what it was. Ah… you saved me… it’s actually quiet this morning outside! No blaring jeepneys with campaign songs! Ha ha….. Only problem is that 2013 is just around the corner!!!
Unfortunately Bob, disaster never happened. There was so much drama over automation that the day after, it’s so anti climactic. It seems pols, media, fixers, communication strategists are speechless. It’s a watershed in Philippine politics which I’ve always believed. As one elder here where I am said, the next time it will be better, smoother etc.
One thing that was overlooked in the planning, is that the Philippines can be very hot in the summer and still going through development stage in communication technology. Some machines suffered heat stroke, and the line ups were most likely from the voters’ eagerness to participate in this novelty. As for the winners, different names, different faces, but same people. But this is one small step for the Filipino voter: 75% turnout. Congrats to all of them.
Hi AlexB – I think you made a typo there! At least I hope so… I think you meant “Fortunately” instead of unfortunately. I am certainly glad that disaster never did happen! The elections sent smoothly overall. A few minor glitches, and long lines for all of the voters to deal with. I know that I have talked to many Filipinos today who are very happy that the results are already coming in on the races. Compared to previous years, this is really nice!
I think the COMELEC should be congraulated. I question if any other agency within the government could have pulled off such a large task.
Back home the local government takes care of elections. Here the COMELEC was required to select the machines, get the machines delivered to the Philippines on time, get over 80 million ballots printed, the front of the ballots was for the National election and over 1000 local elections had to be setup for the back of the same ballot, over 80,000 machines had to be delivered through out the Philippines and some places are hard to get to and 5000 plus machines had to be distributed within two hours of polling places in case of malfunctioning machines.
The long lines were a problem and I am sure that problem will be addressed before the next election. I did not expect the election to be perfect and do not expect perfect elections in the future, but over all everyone that particicpated and made the election turn out as well as it did should be thanked.
Hi Tom – You are so right! I admit, I was quite worried about the election, as many were. But, things went off very well. The long lines were a problem, but if the US had a 75% voter turnout, I bet lines would be long there too! Also, congratulations to the Filipino people who helped make the success of the elections a possibility.