THE future of this generation is in the finger tips of the encoder.

Just one press of a finger and the world might become a dust of cloud. One press of a finger and the holocaust could make humans extinct. A press of a finger could wipe out one’s biodata and could even delete the person’s existence. One press of a finger and the future is changed. We had entrusted the future to a keyboard or switch.

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A month ago, everyone was debating at the use of automation in the 2010 elections. Pros and cons of automated voting are thrown into discussion arenas. The Philippine Commission on Elections proudly proclaimed that all the arguments against automation are baseless. They have proudly made the Filipino believe that it’s automation or nothing in the 2010 elections.

Despite oppositions and fears regarding automated elections, bidding and awarding went on. The contract was awarded to a multi-national company tying up with a local InfoTech company. The contract was awarded to the company that presented the lowest cost. Or another school of thought might also prosper that the contract was awarded to the highest bidder with a hefty commission for the President and her men. I would like to convince myself that the company has not financed any of the trips of GMA and her men or that the company had not given any payola for its approval.

So, dealing with the first thought, I believe that the computing units are of poor quality and that these machines could not cope with the need. I also would like to think that these machines are not efficient and effective in our country.

On the other hand, the second school of thought suggests that the administration’s cut on the budget would be affected much if they award the contract to the lowest bidder, thus, it has to be awarded to the highest bidder and the dogs would get much from the deal. Overpricing has been the name of the game in the Arroyo administration.

A few days ago, the local partner has withdrawn from the deal for undisclosed reasons. Comelec and the multi-national partner are very much angry for they think that the local partner had betrayed them. Comelec is mad that there is no more time to look for bidders for the May 2010 automated elections. Multi-national partner is mad for the deal is destroyed after they had already given much to the Philippines. Both will accuse the local contractor for breach of contract.

At this point, I congratulate the local contractor for honestly accepting that they could not cope with the requests of the GMA administration and Comelec. Now, here is a company that is telling us that the expectations from them is too much and they could not give what is being asked and the government still compels them to continue. I think it is stupid on the part of Comelec to continue with the deal that the dealer is now surrendering for it cannot cope with the need.

I would say that this would be good to compel a company if this was just a simple deal but this involves our future. An error in the data would mean six years of pain and doom for every Filipino.

Why is Comelec very mad? Is this because they have already gotten their shares from the company? Is it because that they thought they could win much from the deal? These are some of the questions that stir the minds of those who are really thinking well.

My comical mind tells me now that there is a connection as to GMA’s passion to stay in power. The deal was smashed to postpone or halt the 2010 elections. However, I think that this is too premature to think about it. I would like to continue with the contention that someone, somebody, and some people have already been paid for the awarding of the contract, so the Philippines could no longer back out from the deal.

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Congratulations to Bro. Jaazeal Jakosalem, OAR, for the successful sponsoring of the 1st Bishop-media conference at UNO-Recoletos.

Pope John Paul II and St. Ezekiel Moreno, pray for us.

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