House panel urges Comelec to automate barangay, SK polls

MANILA, Philippines — The House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms has adopted a measure urging the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to use the automated election system (AES) for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

The panel, chaired by Maximo Dalog Jr., agreed to support House Bill 717 of Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., who sought to modernize the twin elections in October.

The proposal states that the adoption of AES in the BSKE will hasten the results of the election and the proclamation of winners.

It said the AES would prevent errors that may be caused by human intervention and confusion in the appreciation of ballots.

“Automated elections have proven to be economical as it can accommodate up to more than 1,000 voters per clustered precinct as opposed to the 500 voters per precinct in manual elections, which require hiring of more personnel,” the resolution read.

In HR 987, which substituted Barzaga’s proposal, the panel said that manual elections are tainted with errors, especially during counting and tallying of votes.

It said that inaccurate interpretation and appreciation of ballots happen in manual elections as well as other human-induced mistakes, which affect the integrity of the electoral process.

The panel said the 97,000 vote counting machines, which the Comelec procured for the 2016 polls, remain available and may still be utilized for the BSKE.

New breed of leaders

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) urged Filipino voters to participate in the BSKE, saying it is an opportunity for the country to have a new breed of leaders.

During the 126th CBCP plenary assembly held over the weekend, CBCP president and Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David appealed to voters to choose candidates who represent “principled politics” and adhere to the social teachings of the church.

David said that while there are undesirable candidates aspiring for government positions, there are also ideal candidates that the Filipinos could choose.

He said there are times that he feels sad for politicians who resort to illegal means just to provide the needs of his constituents such as basketball courts, financial assistance and other favors.

“In a way it is also our fault as a people because of the expectation that we set on politicians,” he said. “But if we want good principled politics, please don’t expect your politicians to be giving away money or granting favors. Instead, expect them to be good leaders, to exercise good leadership and good governance in the country.”