IT is a feat for a country that is infamous for its “dirty politics.”
Within two days, ballots were in and results are almost complete in the Philippines’ second automated polls.
Others were declared as runaway winners while some emerged after a neck-and-neck race, to fill the 18,000 positions in contest—from national legislators to local leaders.
The outcome of the 2013 midterm election gives a clear preview on the much-awaited event in 2016, when the Philippines will choose its next president.
Malacañang was satisfied with the conduct of the elections and praised the Commission of Elections (COMELEC) and its “deputized agencies came together and did their utmost to ensure free, fair, and credible elections.”
“By all accounts, this second automated election has proceeded in a satisfactory manner, with the system and the vast majority of machines working as they were intended. While there were isolated incidents of violence and equally isolated hitches in the voting process, our institutions—from the COMELEC to its deputized agencies—volunteers for poll-watching, media, and the public came together and did their utmost to ensure free, fair, and credible elections,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.
Lacierda also expressed elation over the Filipinos’ active participation, whom he said “undertook this exercise and the right of suffrage with tenacity and good cheer.”
The National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) agrees with Malacañang and noted that the election was generally peaceful and organized.
“We are happy to note the enthusiasm and patience of voters who braved the long queues and heat. We would like to thank our volunteers, and most especially the BEIs and PNP, who performed their duties as Filipinos in ensuring a clean and peaceful election,” NAMFREL National Chairperson Corazon dela Paz-Bernardo said.
On issues of peace and security, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) joined the consensus and said that Monday’s election was generally peaceful compared to the previous ones.
“As far as our assessment is concerned, aside from minor glitches and several security concerns, the conduct of mid-term national and local elections nationwide was generally peaceful,” Brig. Gen. Domingo Tutaan, AFP spokesman said. Both security agencies vowed to remain vigilant until the last winner is proclaimed.
As in the past, a Philippine election cannot conclude without rancor. Among the isolated incidents reported on Monday, were faulty machines, pre-shaded ballots, procedural lapses, logistical and custodial issues, vote-buying and violence.
Of the 78,000 precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines, 258 were reported defective. This is higher than the 200 projection made by COMELEC Chairman Sixto Brillantes, but is much lower than the 450 defective machines in the 2010 automated polls.
Despite some glitches, Brillantes said that the voting on Monday went smoothly. He confirmed that so far, there is no need for special elections. COMELEC will only hold a special election when precincts, which reported failure of elections, have votes that can significantly change the results.
All in all, Monday’s polls are gearing towards a satisfactory conclusion, which is more than what is expected. Even international observers agree.
More important than that, is the 70 percent voter turnout. This granted opportunity for Filipinos to realize the power that belongs to them — choosing their leaders. It strengthened their participation in the democratic process and their trust in the electoral system.
(AJPress)
