Do you favor the conduct of a parallel manual count for the May 10 elections?

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: No way. Now that we’re being offered a brand-new car, there are those who prefer to walk for fear that the car might break down. Walk, if you insist, but I’m going for the ride.

Lolong Rejano, Marinduque: Yes, it’s a welcome proposal to avoid the possible manipulation of votes. Only a parallel manual count can attest whether the elections are clean and orderly.

 Yes, it will make the results more credible

Ed Gulmatico, Bacolod City: Yes, it’s absolutely necessary, especially considering the complete distrust of the majority of Filipinos in our first automated election. As admitted by Filipino IT experts, only a maximum of four hours is needed for simultaneous manual counting, so this should not harm the Comelec’s projected announcement of a final election tally within 48 hours. It is still much better than the usual two months or more it takes to announce the winners due to charges and counter-charges by opposing candidates.  

Eric Gopilan, Quezon City: I favor a parallel manual count for the May 10 elections to verify the validity of the results.  

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: Yes, a parallel manual count will help check if something is wrong with the results culled from automated machines. Remember, cheating can still happen even with fully automated elections.  

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Half of the voters are wary of the Comelec’s PCOS machines. Apart from this, Arroyo’s election lawyer Romeo Macalintal has proposed to eliminate the Senate election tribunal body that takes care of election complaints. Should there be cheating in the May elections, candidates have nowhere to file their complaints. I agree that there should be a parallel manual count to validate the results of the election. But will a parallel manual count delay the election results? Not necessarily, because only votes for President, VP and mayor will be included. Manual counting may entail overtime pay to teachers and poll watchers, but considering the notoriety of our election, it is well worth the money.  

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: Yes, because the automated counting has not yet been fully proven as a successful election system in our country.  

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: For a country as fragmented as ours, we need all the devices to ensure the credibility of our elections. A parallel vote count is one of those.  

Buenvenido Arban, Laguna: Yes, I am in favor of it. It will be expensive but accurate.  

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: Yes, so that we can really check and confirm if the manual count will really tally with the computer count. That way, we can finally conclude if there was cheating or not.  

It defeats the purpose of automation

Ferdinand Rafer, Cavite: The purpose of automated polls is to have fast poll results. Those who favor a manual count want the voters’ minds conditioned.  Edwin Castillo, Batangas

No, it defeats the purpose. It’s like withdrawing from the ATM and lining up at the bank to ask the bank teller if the amount withdrawn was properly credited.  

Dianne Aquino, Caloocan City A big no. For me, it would be stupidity to the highest degree if the Comelec allows it. Some politicians, especially from the opposition, think that they are God’s gift to humanity.  

We already have other watchdogs

Sammy Macana, Panabo, Metro Davao: Filipinos elected these senators and congressmen who passed the law on election automation. This took so much money and energy to attain. Now, here comes a clamor for a parallel manual count! Definitely, I am not in favor of it because it will be another layer of bureaucracy in the process. We already have the PPCRV and other watchdogs. Kung sabagay, di po makumpiyansahan ang mga obispo.  

A manual count would negate poll fraud

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: Yes, after all, it’s our first automated election. The way the Comelec showed its lack of preparation and readiness, compounded by its credibility problem and questionable deals, like the ballot secrecy folder deal and the US lamp deal, we have reason to believe that manipulators are at work again.  

Jesus Mendoza, Pangasinan: A parallel manual count by a very credible group must be set up to deter and counter fraud and to prepare for a failure of automation.  

Elpidio Que, Vigan: A manual count is much desired by countless people as an “insurance” in case of machine failure. We dread the thought of a declaration of a failure of elections. Blood may flow in the streets if people suspect manipulation courtesy of the administration.  

Anacta, Metro Manila: With the recent trend of dubious actions being carried out by the current leadership, I do favor the conduct of a manual count to negate any attempt at poll fraud and ensure fair and near-honest election results.  Ignacio 

No, but the Comelec should be ready

Felix Ramento, USA: No, doing a parallel manual count defeats the very purpose of automation. However, should there be serious doubts about election results, the Comelec must also be ready to take specific actions lest we get into more serious trouble.  

Ed Alawi, Davao City: No. Anyway, the Comelec will resort to a manual count for losers that would cry they were cheated. The Comelec must proclaim the winners and attend to complaints later.  

A manual count will not be necessary

Abelardo Abilay, Laguna: Whether or not we’ll have a manual count should have been decided a long time ago. What needs to be done now is to ensure that election day will be safe and free from deceit. 

Lucas Banzon Madamba II, USA: A manual count will not be necessary. What’s the use of spending lots of money on poll automation if the people will still perform a manual count? Manual counting is not as simple and as fast as poll automation. Performing the manual count will be like journeying through outer space without reaching a final destination.  

Maricel Maralit, Naga City: I am cynical and skeptical about a lot of things, but I am surprisingly optimistic that the automated election will be a success. There’s no need for a manual counting.  

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Not necessary. In the event that the results of the manual count differ from the results of the automated voting due to manipulation by some groups, the ticking bomb will explode and may lead to a bloody revolt. Better damn the torpedoes.  

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: No, I don’t. I’m sorry. The automated election will push through against all odds. The Comelec has all the contingency plans for any eventuality. Forget the parallel manual count and instead believe in the system. We have learned so much in the past. We should let automation be another milestone in our history.  

It’s not that simple

Joel Caluag, Bulacan: Yes, but I have one reservation. What if the manual count favors one candidate and the automatic count shows another result?  

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: No, a parallel manual count is not as simple as going to a supermarket and buying a bottle of vinegar. It should be studied thoroughly. It has logistical and financial cost and personal implications. It’s a complicated thing.  

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: Having a parallel manual count would make no difference in making the elections fraud-free. Slick operators of the Garci type will operate once again.  

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: A parallel manual count will only result in dditional costs and confusion, not to mention time constraints as to its preparation.  

A random manual audit would be good

Dante de los Reyes, Bacolod City: It would be good to have a random manual audit approved by the Comelec to ensure the accuracy of the automated elections. There are five precincts per district (222x5=1,110) and, assuming that there are 800 voters in every precinct, we can use 888,000 voters as our basis to determine the winners of the elections. It’s much better than surveys conducted by pollsters, which only surveys 3,000 respondents to set trends that influence voters.  

What a stupid idea

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: No, it would be contrary to the very reason we wanted automated elections to begin with, that is, to ensure a swift, accurate tally of votes on May 10, 2010.  

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: A manual count is the contingency plan of the Comelec in case of problems that cannot be controlled. Now, here comes stupid oligarchs magnifying the contingency plan with the crazy idea of having a parallel manual count! That’s stupid! In case of differences in the results, which one do we follow: The results of the manual count or the automated one? Then, there will be reason for these oligarchs to go to court and delay the proclamation of the winner. We all bore with the antiquated electoral system that took months to declare a winner. These oligarchs were shouting and crying for automation. Now that their cries have been heard, the same ass-lickers and pretenders want to go back to the antiquated system instead of helping the Comelec make the new one successful. If people want reform, this is the proper time. Do not vote for a candidate surrounded by oligarchs. These are the people who bring this country to the dogs.  

Rose Leobrera, Manila: Why not instead expedite all systems for automation to achieve success? Now that the elections are near, ngayon sila natataranta, when this was supposed to have been prepared a long time ago. Those involved must do the best they can so that the elections can have a satisfactory outcome at maiwasan ang turuan at dayaan.  

Dr. Jose Balcanao, Benguet: The conduct of parallel manual count would imply that the automated polls are not reliable and will result in distrust of voters. Doing so would only add a financial burden to the government. It also makes the counting of ballots longer, hence, it will defeat the purpose of poll automation.  

It’s too late for this

Leonard Villa, Batac: No, it’s too late to do that. We should give the Comelec the benefit of the doubt and allow it to just concentrate on poll automation. Let’s not be skeptics.  

Ishmael Q.  Calata, Parañaque City: Which count will be the official one, the automated machine count or the manual count? If there is a discrepancy between the parallel manual count and the automated machine count, do you think that those who did not win in either count would accept defeat, if the other count shows them as winners? I believe that the Comelec should concentrate its effort on making the automated machine count devoid of error. One more thing, it is rather too late in the day for the Comelec to attend to two activities that may result in a more chaotic situation. Let’s forget this clamor for a parallel manual count, which, in the past, has proven to be attended by many errors, intentional and unintentional. And, based on record, it will just be a very expensive exercise that will be subject to abuse.  

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: No, sponsors of a parallel manual count should have justified it during the deliberations on the automation law in Congress, and not at this late hour.  

Delfin Todcor, Quezon City: There is no more time to do manual voting. The Comelec must instead ensure 100 per cent that automated machines are tamper-free by restoring the UV function.  

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: The automated poll was legislated and well-thought of a long time ago and everything was put in place. Why add a parallel manual count, when the automated machines can do the counting faster and more accurately? This will just cause a lot of additional last-minute expenses and employment of more manpower. If the automated machines are not reliable, they should have been junked right from the beginning. The critics just cannot stop finding fault with the Comelec, which seems incapable of doing anything right.  

Let’s trust the new system

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: Everything’s set and ready for poll automation, so why resort to a nerve-breaking kind of counting? Let’s make counting easier. Enough of manual counting.  

Cris Rivera, Rizal: Concerned sectors suggest a parallel manual count for five elective posts; the Comelec says no need, there’ll be elections. Agree or disagree, I’ll let them do their thing. Why do people think this coming poll would be an exercise in futility?  

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: Why go back to the traditional way, when it’s wracked with questionable results? Automation is the answer to all the doubts that elections results are rigged or tampered with. We can also minimize complaints about cheating if those ballots are counted by machines.  

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: No, let us trust our new automation system. A parallel manual count will only mess things up and provide an avenue for losing candidates to question the results.  

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: It’s a baseless step backward. How can we sustain progress when even people who want to be our leaders won’t trust change like an automated election?  

It will do more harm than good

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: For me, this parallel manual count will cause more harm than good. What happens if two different sets of results come out? Di kaya lalong magugulo ang bilangan?  

Rey Onate, Palayan City: I don’t. It’s a waste of time, money and effort. I fully believe in and support automation. Marami din ang di naniniwala sa mga surveys concocted by people based in Imperial Manila who are paid by groups with vested interests and disseminated by highly paid newscasters.  

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: What for? Allowing a parallel manual count provides an opening for manipulation, confusion and chaos. Besides, what use is spending millions on automating? Who will spend for the cost of a parallel manual count?  

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: No. Overkill na, wasteful pa. Obviously, it’s a last-ditch effort of Noynoy’s handlers to ensure that his ascension to the seat of power pushes through at all costs - or, as they say in Tarlac, “by Huk or by crook” - to quote the late great Luis Taruc. Siyempre pa, if Aquino loses on May 10, may scapegoat ang mga supporters and financiers niya upang tumawag ng isa pang People Power or Edsa 4.  

Remo Doronila, Metro Manila: No, it’s very dangerous. Too much human intervention affects the accuracy of counting.  

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: A parallel manual count will delay the proclamation of winners and will require additional expenses. Whatever is favorable and just, doon ako.  

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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