It is merely three weeks until the Philippine general election on May 10. The 2010 elections, which include presidential, legislative and local elections, will be the country's first computerized election.
The bidding process for the computer system was as dubious as is the aftermath of the November 23 massacre in Maguindanao last year, which was one of the worst displays of violence in the run-up for the elections.
In an attempt to prevent a rival politician from running for the post of provincial governor, his election convoy was attacked and 57 people killed by the ruling politician's private army. Staggering is not only the fact, that the attackers believed they could get away with a broad daylight slaughter. Downright depressing is the fact, that the call for justice is still unheard. The court case turns out to be a stage play. Another chapter is added in the Philippines' tradition of impunity.
At the end it's all about votes. Whoever cannot prevent a rival from running for a post will try to buy the people's votes. In areas where people live on less than a dollar a day shopping for votes is an easy task.
The more "sophisticated" campaigners try to denounce the opposition by text blasting so called "A1" information, such as the "psychiatric evaluation form" of one of the candidates, apparently proofing his "mental disorder" and the use of drugs.
No tool seems inappropriate to get into the seat of power.
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