DAVAO CITY (November 16) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is asking the public not to believe claims that Automated Electronic System (AES) from the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines can be manipulated to alter votes and ensure victory in the 2019 midterm elections.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez appealed the public to report to them persons or group making illegal offers in exchange of a huge sum.
Jimenez made the appeal following the arrest of two individuals allegedly asking money from political aspirants, with the assurance that they are able to compromise AES in the 2019 elections.
The warning came after the National Bureau of Investigation arrested a certain Melanie Nicole Lamuag and Micko Mel Gomez who claimed to be an employee of the legal department of Presidential Complaint Center in Parañaque on Wednesday.
Lamuag and Gomez were arrested by NBI Special Action Unit (SAU) led by Jun Donggallo, on the act of receiving P3-million marked money from a mayoralty candidate of Region 3.
The NBI said the two assure their client that they can manipulate the PCOS machine and ensure the victory of their client.
In a statement, Jimenez said they are happy that “Criminals like these are being exposed and are being apprehended, and we are not ruling out the possibility of, in the proper cases, pursuing such legal remedies as are available to the Comelec, to protect the integrity and credibility of the electoral system.”
Jimenez assured candidates that the “AES is fair and secure and will count the votes correctly. The will of the people shall prevail”.
The poll body official explained that the AES used in the last three polls and will be utilized in next year’s elections, has proven to be successful.
“So far, it has been very accurate in counting the votes, and there remains no evidence of anyone being able to use any component of the AES — from the precinct-based Vote Counting Machines to the Consolidated Canvassing System — to cheat in favor of any candidate or group of candidates,” Jimenez added.
But desperate politicians still pin hope that AES can be manipulated, they resort to this kind of scheme.-Editha Z. Caduaya/NewsLine
