House to OK P11.3-B automation budget but...

MANILA, Philippines - The House of Representatives will approve the proposed P11.3-billion supplemental budget for the automation of the 2010 elections, but the Commission on Elections (Comelec) must first meet certain conditions before it can use the allocation, Speaker Prospero Nograles said Monday. In a press conference after an all-member caucus, Nograles said "an overwhelming majority" of House members have agreed to approve on second reading the supplemental budget during plenary on Monday, providing that the election body explain first to Congress the automation procedures, the character of bidding, and the reliability of voting machines before it uses the allotment. Nograles said a House panel will be formed to meet with the Comelec so they can address the concerns of congressmen, some of whom are proposing that full automation be applied only to the counting of votes for national officials and only partial automation or manual elections be applied to the voting of congressmen and other local officials. Citing "informal talks" between some congressmen, Nograles said some do not deem full automation in local elections necessary as there are several election watchers there and the results come out relatively fast compared to vote-counting for national officials. "There are many fears that it (automation) might be worse than the mano-mano (manual) system," said Nograles, adding that congressmen voiced out concerns during the caucus that poll automation may open avenues for manipulation of voting and counting. "We are sincere in trying to automate the elections. Gusto nating lahat yon [We all want that]. But there is a fear of the unknown," he added. He said some new voting practices that may be introduced, such as shading, may "create confusion" among voters. Deputy Speaker and Cebu Rep. Pablo Garcia is now studying the crafting of legislation that may be needed to amend existing laws contrary to automation, added the House Speaker. At the same time, Nograles belied that House members are eyeing increasing the number of congressmen through the creation of more legislative districts. Nograles said the possible raising of the maximum number of legislative districts from 250 to 300 is meant only to ensure that there would be "space" to accommodate the possible rise in population. "We're not going to fill that up. It's just a stop-gap measure," he said. Comelec chair Jose Armando Melo had earlier said the supplemental budget must be released by April if the country wants to push through with automating the 2010 elections. Melo said that unless they are certain of the availability of funds, they cannot start the bidding for voting machines and the subsequent publishing of its terms of reference, which he said is very detailed. The House committee on appropriations approved House Bill 5715 granting the supplemental budget for the automated 2010 elections last January. - GMANews.TV