House leaders hopeful Comelec to preserve integrity of polls

MANILA, Philippines - Leaders of the House of Representatives expressed optimism that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will do its best to make the 2016 general elections credible despite concerns over its decision to lease new precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines from Smartmatic.

The lawmakers were referring to the statements of Commissioners Rowena Guanzon and Sheriff Abas that the Comelec was pressured to award the contract to Smartmatic.

“I think the integrity of the polls is assured. That is a given that cannot be compromised. They (Guanzon and Abas) probably mean that with more time, they could have gotten a better deal,” Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said.

Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, leader of the independent bloc, believes the Comelec did its best under the circumstances.

“I have my faith that the Comelec will not compromise the future of this country by ensuring a just, honest, clean, and peaceful elections. Maybe they just hoped that a better deal in pushing for the automated polls could have been sealed,” he said.

Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro, chairman of the House committee on suffrage and electoral reform, said the poll commissioners were not commenting on integrity of the polls per se but on the limited options.

“Had it not been for this limited option, Comelec could have struck a better deal for the government or could have exercised better option for the government pecuniary,” Castro said.

Lawmakers Luzviminda Ilagan of Gabriela party-list and Lito Atienza of Buhay said there was more than meets the eye in the comments of Abas and Guanzon.