A VOTE-COUNTING machine (VCM) in Makati City was found to be defective after it repeatedly rejected the ballot cast by former vice president Jejomar Binay during the midterm National and Local Elections on Monday, May 13.

Binay went to the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Forum Tent in Pasay City after his ballot was repeatedly rejected by the VCM in his polling precinct in Makati City.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) quickly ordered the replacement of the VCM.

In a hastily called press briefing, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said they have already resolved the issue in Binay's precinct.

"Upon investigation of the problem, what we saw is that the problem is with the machine. So the machine has been replaced," said Jimenez.

He said the accomplished ballots, including that of Binay's, in the said precinct will then have to be re-fed in batches to the replacement VCM.

"The ballot of VP Binay will be evaluated if it can be fed back. We will respond to the rest of the problem when we get there," said Jimenez.

Prior to meeting Jimenez, Binay said he was angered by the rejection of his ballot by the VCM.

Sought for his reaction to the VCM replacement, Binay welcomed the actions of the commission.

"I am happy that my experience has been heard and a solution is forthcoming. It helped appease my apprehensions of irregularities," said Binay. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)