Three more days before the polls open for the first automated election in the Philippines. The closer we get to election day, the more entertaining the newspaper articles get:
Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Y. Larrazabal tries hard to restore confidence among voters that the elections will take place as scheduled on May 10, despite identified technical problems with the 'precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines'. In a Business World Online article he is quoted as saying: "There is no truth to that [rumors of postponing the elections]. While the [full commission] has discussed all possible actions, options and scenarios, we have not voted on any postponement."
The rumor was triggered by a text message...
Joseph Estrada, actor, former Philippine president, presidential candidate in the upcoming election and a "plunder convict whose political rights were restored by presidential pardon" voices his anger about the "Venezuelan-led consortium handling the Philippines’ first total automated elections" in an article published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer. In his opinion, "the ax should fall on the Comelec and Smartmatic because there was no evidence yet that Malacañang was behind the foul-ups in the automation process."
There is no evidence of Malacañang's involvement yet? What's that supposed to mean? Evidence will come later?
Senatorial candidate Ariel Querubin, who is currently detained for an alleged attempt to unseat the current president, voices his suggestion in case of failed or postponed election in the above mentioned Inquirer article: “If people think that taking to the streets is the best way to assert democracy, so be it,”
Let's see what happens next Monday. For sure, we'll all have another long weekend for election day is a public holiday...
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