3 PCOS machines in Cagayan hotel room? Poll employees explain why

MANILA, Philippines - Employees of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday explained the presence of three precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines in a hotel room in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

In a statement, the Comelec Employees Union said the poll body rented the hotel room purposely to secure the three PCOS machines.

Catherine Bangi-Allas, provincial election supervisor of Cagayan, said the Comelec made a booking at Kimikarla Hotel for a series of training for teachers who will be serving as members of the board of election inspectors in the province in the May polls.

Bangi-Allas said the Comelec also requested for a hotel room where they can secure the PCOS machines and room 311 was given.

However, when a guest checked in at the hotel on the night of March 14, room 311 was erroneously assigned to him.

“When the guest found three PCOS machines inside room 311, the room was still being occupied by the Comelec,” Bangi-Allas said.