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Friday, January 16, 2004
Abalos mulls quitting post
By Marie Neri
MANILA -- Disappointed with the controversy triggered by the Supreme Court ruling nullifying the automation contract, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. is contemplating of leaving his post.
But this does not stop the commission's preparation for the manual election this May 10 now that Congress assured an allocation for an additional fund to pay the honorarium of teachers and the acquisition of other election paraphernalia.
"To be honest, yes, it's very frustrating, saying (what a waste). Maganda sana (this would have been nice), what a beautiful legacy this commission would be leaving," Abalos said.
He said he would rather go back to public life than stay in Comelec after what had happened with the supposed core project of the commission.
The SC earlier voided the automation contract entered into by the commission with Mega Pacific eSolutions for the purchase and operation of 1,991 automated counting machines (ACMs) because of an irregularity in the bidding and selection of the winner.
Abalos said the court could have limited its decision on the legality of the contract and not to include the technicality of the computers, which has passed the standards set by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The Comelec chairman resented that they were never called about technical questions. He added that what has been discussed is on whether or not there is irregularity in the bidding.
Atty. Alfredo Lazaro, spokesman of the consortium said they would be willing to return the P850 million Comelec has paid for the P1.3 billion automation contract.
Like Abalos, Lazaro said nothing was irregular with the contract. They resented not being given the chance to defend themselves.
Lazaro in a television interview said they should have been allowed to present evidence to show that the petitioners were lying. "How we can do it? You do it in a regular trial. You don't do it in oral arguments," he added.
With the High Tribunal's decision, the counting and canvassing of the results of the elections would be done manually.
Abalos said even with manual counting, he would see to it that the May 10 elections will push through.
"At all cost, at the risk of my life, I will see to it that elections will be held," the Comelec chief said.
He said the commission will instead use the paper intended for the automated counting in the manual count and purchase only additional ballot boxes.
"We don't have additional funds to purchase paper for manual balloting because we can use this paper now for the ACM," Abalos said.
Abalos was appointed as chairman of Comelec in June 2002 after the Commission on Appointments (CA) did not confirm the appointment of then Chairman Alfredo Benipayo.
Abalos's term is supposed to end in 2007 but should he decide to step down, the next President would need to appoint another chairman who will serve for the remainder of Abalos's term.
Comelec spokesperson Ferdinand Rafanan said the voting public has nothing to fear because the institution will be working hard to achieve honest and credible elections.
Rafanan added that voters who validated and registered using the data capturing machines of Comelec do not need to register again.
(January 16, 2004 issue)
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