Breaking the unholy alliance between business and politics

FROM A DISTANCE By Carmen N. Pedrosa
(The Philippine Star) Updated April 28, 2013 - 12:00am

Businessman and entrepreneur Manuel V. Pangilinan should be congratulated for opening a debate on the role of business in nation building.

He said “the government should allow the private sector to take an active role in ensuring that economic growth was shared and enjoyed by all classes.” Pangilinan was reacting to the report of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) that the numbers of the country’s poor were unchanged since 2006 despite high economic growth.

But it is not quite how MVP puts it. He asks if it might work better for the Philippines if the government allowed the private sector to take an active role in pushing for economic growth.

I can understand where he is coming from, feeling frustrated that so much could be done if only the government were to welcome private initiative. Being an entrepreneur he wants to take on agriculture in a massive way since the majority of our poor are farmers. He says the private sector can help the industry with a greater infusion of technical know-how and capital.

“The imperative is inclusive, not exclusionary, growth. Business and government need to work together to identify areas that offer the higher levels of employment and income to our people — agriculture and tourism, for instance,” Pangilinan said.

Malacañang’s reply to the MVP initiative is disappointing. The president’s spokesman said “eradicating poverty in the country was not an overnight thing.”

Edwin Lacierda blames “the high level of poverty incidence on the lackluster performance of the agricultural-fishery sector.

Someone should tell him not to make it a chicken and egg problem. Agriculture and fishery are “lackluster” because it does not have the means to perform better and not the other way around.

He then gives an ominous warning that defeating poverty cannot be done overnight. Maybe. But we can at least begin and that is where the MVP suggestion can be put to good use.

*  *  *

Historically, the private sector or more accurately family owned companies control government in the Philippines.

Well, MVP does not need to go very far. Rentier politics thrives in the Philippines. Media is used as the rent to acquire benefits and contracts from a government that owes its election victory to media. No wonder, private groups are all eager to own media that they can use for the benefit of candidates during election campaigns.

It is well known that the Lopez empire was built using this formula. One member of the family was in charge of media and finance and another in politics.

So MVP should address his call for more private sector initiatives differently. He should call for a level playing field based on meritocracy. If this is the case then private sector should indeed be given a more active role but please it should not be exclusively for ‘cronies’.

*  *  *

The unholy alliance between business and government in the Philippines was best described in “An Anarchy of Families” by Alfred McCoy. In his book he points to the closeness of business interests to government in our political structure as the reason for a weak Philippine state.

“From provincial warlords to modern managers, prominent Filipino leaders have fused family, politics, and business to compromise public institutions and amass private wealth — a historic pattern that persists to the present day.” McCoy writes.

He cites how the Osmeñas and Lopezes, elite Filipino families formed a powerful oligarchy — controlling capital, dominating national politics, and often owning media. He also takes on provincial warlords like Ramon Durano, Ali Dimaporo, and Justiniano Montano who have used “guns, goons, and gold” to accumulate wealth and power in far-flung islands and provinces. He shows how this collusion between government and private interests has continued into the 21st century, despite dramatic socio-economic change that has supplanted the classic “three G’s” of Philippine politics with the contemporary “four C’s” — continuity, Chinese, criminality, and celebrity. (We must add “PCOS” elections.)

*  *  *

The TIME List

FROM A DISTANCE By Carmen N. Pedrosa (The Philippine Star) | Updated April 20, 2013 - 12:00am

I would have remained quiet about the TIME award to President Noy Aquino as one of the 100 most influential leaders in the world.  

But it was a bit much when the magazine gave the reasons why he was chosen. “The sputtering economy stabilized and became hot under him, he pushed for a reproductive-rights law that many said was impossible in the fervently Catholic nation, and he bravely confronted Beijing over its claim on the South China Sea,” says TIME.

He may have been cited in the TIME list but all three reasons demean the Philippines as a country in the service of the American agenda. Had TIME Magazine been subtler when giving the reasons for naming him, it would have given space for intelligent and patriotic Filipinos to appreciate the award.

But then the TIME list for influential leaders has a reputation for the choices it makes to favor political reasons. It is no different from choices made for winners of the Nobel Peace Prize or for that matter which country wins in the lamentable beauty contests of Miss Universe or Miss International.

*      *      *

His inclusion in the list could not have come at a worse time with the release of a Wikileaks report on a US diplomatic cable that said “even the late President Corazon Aquino admitted that her son, President Benigno Aquino III, is not a “natural politician.” The cable was sent before the 2010 elections by former US Ambassador to Manila Kristie Kenney.

The cable was sent to inform Washington of Aquino’s expected bid for the presidency, after Sen. Mar Roxas said he was passing on to Aquino the Liberal Party standard.

In Kenney’s cable she said “Most political observers, including his late mother, agree that he is not a natural politician, lacking the charisma and aggressive political agenda that usually propels political candidates.”

The US diplomat said it was Cory herself who told her “it had taken a massive effort by the entire Aquino clan... to get Noynoy elected to the Senate.” Mrs. Aquino reportedly said they had to rely on the popularity of her youngest daughter, actress Kris, her husband basketball star James Yap, as well as her own political pull.”

Aquino, served out three terms as Tarlac second district representative, ranked sixth in the 2007 senatorial race with more than 14.3 million votes.

Kenney also described the President’s record as a legislator “lackluster.” “He has not played a leading role in the House or Senate, and his views on many controversial issues remain unknown.”

Interestingly she noted in the same cable that the US Embassy is “not aware of any corruption allegations against Aquino” and that his “uncontroversial nature” is seen to boost his image as “clean”.

She compared “Aquino’s foray into presidential politics to that of his mother’s, who had been catapulted into the presidency by the assassination of her husband, Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr.” That answers many questions on how he took over from Mar Roxas who was earlier favored by the US because of his background in finance.

“Just as the 1983 assassination of Senator Ninoy Aquino propelled his wife, Cory, into presidential politics, so too her death has unexpectedly transformed the political landscape, launching her son on a quest for the presidency,” Kenney said.

Her conclusion: there was public clamor for Aquino to seek the top government position, because “Filipinos hoped to see change after the controversies which hounded the Arroyo administration.”

Mad, Simply Mad

http://musingsbyroy.wordpress.com/

The Musings of Ronald Roy

March 5, 2013

Mad, Simply Mad


Ronald Roy — 2013 March 05

Deserving serious reflection is the comment of an octogenarian stranger (“OS”, for brevity) assailing as “indecently biased and one-sided” the P-Noy administration’s 1) account of martial law atrocities purportedly committed on orders of dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, 2) list of alleged martyrs and heroes he is said to have victimized, and 3) irresponsible revision of history by requiring indoctrination courses in schools on its version of the martial law years, including events that led to his fall under the crunching weight of American-sanctioned people power revolution that was wielded by some 150,000 riotous people assembled near the junction of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, Eulogio Rodriguez Avenue and Aurora Boulevard, Quezon City.

“OS” hit it on the head of the nail when he said that P-Noy’s commie-infested government has neither legal nor moral right to exclude from the reverential recognition those soldiers and civilians who fought against Muslim secessionist rebels and the Ninoy Aquino-led CPP/NPA/NDF rebels, and were wounded, tortured and killed in the process.

I wrote in previous articles that casualties were sustained on both sides of the country’s internecine war, and that it would be utterly wrong to dishonour those who were wounded, tortured or murdered by those who tried to install a communist regime in the country, as well as by those who wished to dismember the republic.

That the victims of martial law must be compensated is something that’s just fine with me; but the disparagement of Marcos forces and followers who resisted Muslim secessionists and armed Maoists led by Kumander Dante Buscayno, the staunch ally of Ninoy Aquino and ward of his mother Doña Aurora, would be a great disservice, nay, a supreme insult to the present and future generations of Filipinos.

Through the recently signed Human Rights Victims Reparations and Recognition Act of 2013, it is unfortunate that Pres. Noynoy Aquino has officially commenced a regime of classroom-lectured historical distortions. And if rumours are fact, he will utilize an extension of his term beyond 2016 in order to intensify a perpetuation of martial law’s dark side, with Sen. Benigno “Bam” Aquino waiting on the wings to carry on a few years from now (like 2022?), and so on.

I join “OS” in asking P-Noy and Human Right Commissioner Etta Rosales why they think that those who suffered at the hands of Commie Chairman Jose Maria Sison, Commie Kumander Dante, and a host of Muslim renegades, cannot be regarded as human rights victims, and should be identified as enemies of the state. It’s of course obvious they’ll choose to ignore the simple question.

Just as obvious would be their reluctance to investigate widespread corrupt practices among members and fiscal agents of the Philippine Commission on Good Governance in all the years of its existence. Atty. Antonio Rosales, Etta’s husband, I’m sure has long been waiting to be asked to help in the digging up of countless reported anomalies in PCGG’s operations, and it can only be curious why no move has been made to seek his help.

Former Senator Jovito Salonga, incidentally, has himself remained deafeningly quiet amidst unflattering snipes at his integrity as erstwhile PCGG Chair. But rest assured P-Noy will not cause to investigate his “Tito Jovy” for sentimental reasons—PCGG having been his mother’s creation, and Jovy having been her first appointed PCGG Chairman.

Besides, P-Noy owes Jovy a lot for forever keeping his trap shut about all he remembers of Ninoy’s involvement in the Plaza Miranda Bombing which had been plotted and executed to permanently incapacitate all Liberal Party contenders for the presidency except, of course, Ninoy Aquino, who deliberately absented himself from the Miting de Avance to escape the explosions that were scheduled for 10:00pm. Ninoy Aquino was mad, simply mad.

But he was also a very glib and witty raconteur. Endowed with the gift of gab, Ninoy was a regaling public speaker who never failed to keep his listeners enraptured. Emceeing political programs was his forte. He was to the Plaza Miranda Miting de Avance, as a duck would be to a river; and it was puzzling why Ninoy would not come to emcee the rally which started at 6:30, and it was already 8:30.

That evening, I was home watching the event on live television; Doy Laurel was doing the same in his Mandaluyong residence. We had twice called each other up exchanging speculations about why Ninoy had preferred to watch the proceedings via television in Doy’s house. [I had earlier turned down Doy’s invitation to come to watch the LP event in his residence where a despedida de soltera for his daughter Suzie was being held, preferring to stay home instead].

At 8:55 Doy called to invite me anew, but I declined and instead asked him what Ninoy was doing; and he replied, “Heto, watching Plaza Miranda on TV, and I’m wondering why he is fidgety…” At 9:40 I called and Doy said Ninoy had already left for the Plaza Miranda Rally. Ninoy would naturally reach Quiapo after the makeshift stage bearing his party comrades had already been bombed by two grenades in accordance with a multiple murder plot which the CPP would eventually own up to!

Although the evidence incriminating Ninoy was circumstantial, I believe it would have been strong enough for his criminal indictment. I am likewise sure other pieces of evidence could have then been culled to satisfy the quantum of “guilt beyond reasonable doubt”; albeit fate would not have it that way, it seems, even if I personally know two more living witnesses who can come forward with persuasive evidence.

Back to Jovy Salonga. At some time past 11:30pm, my father and I were at the hospital bedside of the injured senator. His hands and head heavily bandaged, Salonga managed to mutter: “Ka Pepe, may kinalaman si Ninoy dito sa aming pagkabomba!” He might have said more if my father had allowed him. Instead, dad hushed down his friend so he could rest.

Some years after that, I saw Sen. Salonga on television. He was holding high a red book in his hand, saying “Narito sa librong ito, mga kababayan, and mga detalye ng Plaza Miranda Bombing, at ang mga pangalan ng mga utak.”, or words to that effect. The Cory government would effect retrieval of copies of the book from all known commercial bookstores within 48 hours after Salonga’s televised announcement. Shortly after that, Cory would appoint him to the coveted position of PCGG Chairman.

As I write this piece, more startling similarities between Noynoy and his father Ninoy come into focus. For example, during martial law, Marcos launched Project Jabidah in order to facilitate a peaceful resolution—via a referendum of the residents on the territory of Sabah—of the Sulu Sultanate’s proprietary claim over the said territory. But the plan was aborted when Sen. Ninoy Aquino delivered a privilege speech exposing Jabidah as a warmongering scheme of a madman.

Well, in retrospect, Jabidah might have succeeded. At the very least it was worth a try. The Kirams hoped for better luck when Ninoy’s son became president. But after his inauguration in 2010, P-Noy ignored pleas for help from Sultan Jamalul Kiram III. And now, as of this writing, with 12 Filipinos and 7 Malaysians (and surely still counting) killed,  P-Noy tells all cornered Kiram followers to surrender to Malaysian authorities, or face the consequences!!

And should they be lucky to be allowed to return to the country, Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima will arrest and prosecute them for rebellion or other crimes later to be determined… Ha?!

Surely, blood is on P-Noy’s hands, and does he know it!!! But he doesn’t really care. He must please the Malaysians at any and all costs to ensure fruition of 1) the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement, and 2) his dream for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Ubusan ng lahi?! I wouldn’t know, Joe  (Cortez), but I can’t see violence abating within weeks. I don’t like Nur Misuari but I agree with him that P-Noy has no right to go against Filipinos. Additionally, he now shifts the blame to others for instigating the war; and even so, this would not exculpate him from the impeachable offense of not rendering justice to 800,000 Filipinos!

Hmmm… like his father, P-Noy must truly be mad, simply mad.

What PNoy isn’t saying about PH’s rating upgrade

What PNoy isn’t saying about PH’s rating upgrade

4 POINTS 4 PCOS (13 May '13)

The PCOS based AES cannot be trusted to secure the “sanctity of the ballot” for the elections on 13 May 2013, because the COMELEC continues to fail to restore the three (3) main safeguards for the integrity of the system – namely:

1. the digital signatures of the members of the Board of Elections Inspectors (BEI) and Board of Canvassers (BOC) to authenticate the election returns and certificates of canvass transmitted electronically,

2. the ballot verification utilizing ultraviolet lamps to detect and reject fake ballots,

3. the vote verification to give each voter presumptive assurance that his votes were recorded in the memory of the PCOS machine.

Furthermore, the COMELEC has rendered the RMA useless by pre-selecting and disclosing the precincts to be audited several days before the elections.

DIGITAL SIGNATURES

During the May 2010 elections, the COMELEC ordered all the BEI nationwide NOT TO USE their DIGITAL SIGNATURES in the wireless transmission of electronic election returns generated by the PCOS machine.[i] This left all the electronic election returns unauthenticated.

The disablement of the digital signatures constitutes a gross violation of the automated election law which clearly and expressly mandates that the “election returns transmitted electronically” must be “digitally signed” in order to be “considered as official election results” and “used as the basis for the canvassing of votes and the proclamation of a candidate.”[ii]

For the May 2013 elections, the COMELEC has again ordered all the BEI nationwide NOT TO USE their DIGITAL SIGNATURES to authenticate the wireless transmission of electronic election returns.[iii]

Again, this will leave all electronic election returns unauthenticated.

The latest COMELEC issuance reads in part as follows:

   “f) Thereafter, the PCOS shall automatically count the votes and immediately display a message "WOULD YOU LIKE TO DIGITALLY SIGN THE TRANSMISSION FILES WITH A BEI SIGNATURE KEY?", with a "YES" or "NO" option;

   “g) Press "NO" option. The PCOS will display "ARE YOU SURE YOU DO NOT WANT TO APPLY A DIGITAL SIGNATURE?" with a "YES" and "NO" option;

   “h) Press "YES" option...”

Thus, for the elections this year, the COMELEC will purposely, knowingly and deliberately repeat its gross violation of the automated election law, by disabling once again the critical safeguard of digital signatures, otherwise intended to authenticate all electronic election returns to be canvassed under the automated election system.

BALLOT VERIFICATION

During the May 2010 elections, the COMELEC disabled the built-in ultra violet lamps and ordered their replacement with hand held or portable lamps[iv]. However, no general instructions were issued to the BEI to guide them how to use either the built in or hand held lamp. In the end, no lamp whatsoever was used to detect and reject fake ballots inserted into the PCOS machines.

For the May 2013 elections, the COMELEC has not issued until today any general instructions on the use of either the built-in lamp or hand held equivalent to provide for ballot verification. Thus, it is apparent that COMELEC will again disable or otherwise disregard the use of any ultra violet lamp for the elections this year.

VOTE VERIFICATION

During the May 2010 elections, the COMELEC disabled the vote verification function of the PCOS machines that would have shown actual votes scanned and read. Instead, the PCOS machines merely displayed the presumptive lines: “Congratulations. Your vote has been registered.”[v]

In fact, these lines confirmed only that the voting process was finished, but not necessarily that the votes were actually read and recorded, because the actual votes were NEVER displayed.

For the May 2013 elections, the COMELEC has again disabled the vote verification function of the PCOS machines. Instead of displaying the actual votes scanned and read, the machines will again display the presumptive lines: “Congratulations. Your vote has been registered.” [vi]

Thus, for the elections this year, the COMELEC will again deny the voters the vote verification function, that would otherwise provide them with a presumptive assurance that their votes will in fact be read and recorded.

RANDOM MANUAL AUDIT

During the May 2010 elections, the COMELEC ordered that the precincts of audit be selected and disclosed at least six (6) hours before the close of the polls. This rendered the RMA highly questionable if not utterly useless, because it diluted the intended lack of predictability of the audit.

For the May 2013 elections, the COMELEC further aggravated the lack of the critical element of randomness, by ordering the selection and disclosure of the subject precincts, at least 4 days and 2 days respectively, before the close of the polls. There is now a total lack of randomness in the audit, because the selection of the subject precincts is not only predictable, but in fact pre-selected and disclosed days in advance of the elections.

May 2010 elections

May 2013 elections

Comelec Resolution No. 8837, 30 April 2010 Section. 7 SELECTION PROCESS OF AREAS TO BE AUDITED a) Random selection of the clustered polling precincts to be audited will be done at the Philippine International Convention Center on May 10, 2010 starting at 12:00 noon by the TWG-RMA... c) Guests may be invited to draw the clustered polling precincts from the tambiolo. The selection of the clustered polling precinct will be open to the media, political parties and other election stakeholders to ensure speedy dissemination of information and for transparency. d) The TWG-RMA shall inform all concerned PES having jurisdiction over the clustered polling precincts randomly selected for the RMA.

Comelec Resolution No. 9595, 12 December 2012 S E C T I O N 5 .   Selection Process of Areas to be Audited -          a) Random selection of the clustered precincts to be audited will be done not later than four (4) days prior to the day of the Elections by the RMA Committee. a.1. Four (4) days before the day of the Elections, the List of Municipalities involved in RMA shall be released; and a.2.    The List of Specific Clustered Precincts that will undergo RMA shall be disclosed two (2) days prior to the day of the Elections... c) The selection of the clustered precinct will be open to the Media, Political Parties and other election stakeholders to ensure speedy dissemination of information and for transparency. d) The RMA Committee shall inform all concerned Coordinators having jurisdiction over the clustered precincts randomly selected for the RZMA.

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[i]                                                      

                COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS
Manila

         REVISED GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE BOARD OF ELECTION INSPECTORS (BEI) ON THE VOTING, COUNTING, AND TRANSMISSION OF RESULTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE 10 May 2010, NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS.

                      RESOLUTION NO. 8786

                                 March 4, 2010

            Section 40. Counting of ballots and transmission of results; Procedure. (Renumbered) (As Revised)

    a) At the end of voting and before the start of counting of votes, the Chairman shall place the iButton security key on top of the iButton security key receptacle and apply slight pressure thereon. Remove the iButton security key from its receptacle, after which the PCOS will display the Main Menu;

    b) Press the "CLOSE VOTING" option in the Main Menu;

    c) The screen will display a message "ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO CLOSE VOTING? NO MORE BALLOTS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THIS." Select "YES" option;

    d) The PCOS will request for the PIN of the poll clerk who will then enter his PIN and press "ENTER". The PCOS will validate the PIN and displays a message "PIN ACCEPTED". The PCOS will request for the second PIN from the third member who will then enter his PIN and press "ENTER". The PCOS will validate the PIN and displays a message "PIN ACCEPTED".

    e) The screen will display a message "POLL IS BEING CLOSED PLEASE WAIT" followed by another message "VOTING HAS BEEN CLOSED NO MORE BALLOTS WILL BE ACCEPTED BY THIS PCOS";

    f) Thereafter, the PCOS shall automatically count the votes and immediately display a message "WOULD YOU LIKE TO DIGITALLY SIGN THE TRANSMISSION FILES WITH A BEI SIGNATURE KEY?", with a "YES" or "NO" option;

    g) Press "NO" option. The PCOS will display "ARE YOU SURE YOU DO NOT WANT TO APPLY A DIGITAL SIGNATURE?" with a "YES" and "NO" option;

    h) Press "YES" option. A message shall be displayed "PRINTING 8 COPIES OF NATIONAL RETURNS. PLEASE WAIT";

    i) A message shall be displayed "WOULD YOU LIKE TO PRINT MORE COPIES OF THIS REPORT" with a "YES and "NO" options. Press "NO" option;

    j) Thereafter, the PCOS will display "PRINTING 8 COPIES OF LOCAL RETURNS. PLEASE WAIT…" and the PCOS automatically prints the 8 copies;

    k) A message shall be displayed "WOULD YOU LIKE TO PRINT MORE COPIES OF THIS REPORT" with a "YES" and "NO" options. Press "NO" option;

    l) Detach the 8 copies of the ERs. After which, members of the BEI shall affix their signatures and thumb marks thereon;

    m) The BEI shall ask the watchers present to affix their signatures on the printed ERs;

    n) Place each copy of ER in its corresponding envelope and seal with a paper seal;

    o) The chairman of the BEI shall publicly announce the total number of votes received by each candidate, stating their corresponding offices;

    p) The poll clerk shall announce the posting of a copy of the ER both for national and local positions on a wall within the premises of the polling place/counting center which must be sufficiently lighted and accessible to the public, and proceed to post such copies;

    q) After forty-eight (48) hours following the posting, the chairman of the BEI shall detach the posted printed copy on the wall and keep the same in his custody to be produced as may be requested by any voter for image or data capturing or for any lawful purpose as may be ordered by competent authority;

    r) The PCOS will display a message "READY TO TRANSMIT. PLEASE PLUG IN TRANSMISSION CABLE TO ELECTRONICALLY TRANSMIT ELECTION REPORTS AND PRESS OK TO CONTINUE";

    s) Connect the transmission medium to the PCOS and press the "OK" button;

    t) The PCOS will display a message "DETECTING MODEM";

    u) If the modem is properly connected, the PCOS will display the message "MODEM DETECTED";

    v) If checking of modem fails, the PCOS will display the message "MODEM NOT DETECTED" followed by the message "TRANSMISSION CABLE NOT CONNECTED. RETRY?" with "YES" and "NO" options. Check the connection of the transmission medium to the PCOS and if it is properly set up, press the "YES" button;

    w) If after three (3) attempts, the transmission medium still fails, call the Support Technician.

    x) The PCOS will display the following messages in succession:

    i. "IDENTIFYING TARGET SERVER

    ii. "SERVER IDENTIFIED"

   iii. "CONTACTING SERVER RETRIES ";

    iv. TRANSMITTING FILE [1/1] TO " with percentage of completion

    y) Wait until the message "ELECTION REPORT SUCCESSFULLY TRANSMITTED TO " is displayed;

    The same message will appear when transmitting to central server and KBP-Parties-Citizen server.

    z) After successful transmission to MBOC, KBP-Parties-Citizens and Central Server, the PCOS will display a message "ALL ELECTION REPORTS HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY TRANSMITTED TO 3/3 LOCATIONS. PLEASE DISCONNECT TRANSMISSION CABLE";

    aa) Disconnect the transmission medium. The PCOS will display a message "PRINTING TRANSMISSION REPORT. PLEASE WAIT…" Followed by a message "WOULD YOU LIKE TO PRINT MORE COPIES OF THIS REPORT" with "YES" and "NO" options. Press "NO" option;

    bb) The PCOS will display a message "READY TO PRINT FINAL 22 COPIES OF ELECTION RETURNS. PLEASE REPLACE THERMAL PRINTER PAPER ROLL. PRESS OK WHEN READY" with "OK" button;

    cc) Replace thermal printer paper roll and press "OK" button;

    dd) The PCOS shall display the message "PRINTING 22 COPIES OF NATIONAL RETURNS. PLEASE WAIT" followed by the message "WOULD YOU LIKE TO PRINT MORE COPIES OF THIS REPORT?" with a "YES" and "NO" option. Press "NO" option;

    ee) The PCOS display the message "PRINTING 22 COPIES OF LOCAL RETURNS. PLEASE WAIT" followed by the message "WOULD YOU LIKE TO PRINT MORE COPIES OF THIS REPORT?" with a "YES" and "NO" option. Detach the printed 22 copies of Local Returns and press "NO" option;

    ff) The PCOS shall display the message "PRINTING STATISTICAL REPORT PLEASE WAIT" followed by the message "WOULD YOU LIKE TO PRINT MORE COPIES OF THIS REPORT?" with a "YES" and "NO" option. Detach the printed Statistical Report and press "NO" option;

    gg) The PCOS shall display the message "PRINTING AUDIT LOG REPORT PLEASE WAIT" followed by the message "WOULD YOU LIKE TO PRINT MORE COPIES OF THIS REPORT?" with a "YES" and "NO" option. Detach the printed Audit Log Report and press "NO" option;

    The Statistical Report, Transmission Report and Audit Log report shall be placed in the envelope (A18-A) where the Initialization Report was placed;

    hh) The PCOS shall automatically create back-up of files;

    ii) After printing the remaining 22 copies of ER, the members of the BEI shall affix their signatures and thumb marks on the 22 printed ERs and ask the watchers present to affix their signatures on the printed election returns;

    jj) If failure of transmission occurs in any of the target servers (City/Municipal, KBP-parties-citizens arm server, or central server), the PCOS will print Transmission Report.

    kk) The PCOS will display a message "WOULD YOU LIKE TO PRINT MORE COPIES OF THIS REPORT" with "YES" and "NO" option. Press "NO" option;

    ll) The PCOS will display the Main Menu;

    mm) The certified IT-capable member of the BEI shall re-transmit the results to the target server by doing the following:

    i. Press "RE-TRANSMIT RESULTS" option located in the Main Menu. List of target servers will be displayed;

    ii. Press the target server to transmit;

    iii. Wait until the transmission is successful. If after three (3) attempts, the transmission medium still fails, call the Support Technician;

    iv. Repeat Steps i to iii, if there are more than one (1) target servers, where there are transmission failure.

    nn) Print the remaining 22 copies of ER and other reports by doing the following:

    i. Select "PRINT REPORTS" from the Main Menu;

    ii. The PCOS will display a message "PLEASE SELECT WHICH REPORT YOU WOULD LIKE TO PRINT";

    iii. List of reports will de displayed. Press the report that you would like to print;

    iv. The PCOS will display "PLEASE ENTER THE NUMBER OF COPIES TO PRINT" with a numeric keypad;

    v. Press the desired number of copies (For ERs, pres 22, for statistics report and audit log, press 1);

    vi. Press "ENTER" button. The PCOS will automatically print the number of copies desired for the report selected;

    vii. The PCOS will display a message "WOULD YOU LIKE TO PRINT MORE COPIES OF THIS REPORT" with "YES" and "NO" option. Press "NO" option. The PCOS will display the main menu;

    viii. Print 22 copies of ER for local, Statistical Report and Audit Log Report by following steps (nn) (i) and (ii);

    oo) Create backup of files by following the steps below:

    i. From the Main Menu, press "BACK-UP AND PROTECT" option;

    ii. The PCOS will display a message "ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO BACK-UP CARD" with "YES" and "NO" options. Select "YES" option;

    iii. The PCOS will display a message "BACKING UP ELECTION DATA. PLEASE WAIT…" Wait until the message "BACK-UP SUCCESSFUL" is displayed;

    iv. The PCOS will display a message "WRITE PROTECTING RESULTS PLEASE WAIT…" Wait until the message "WRITE PROTECT SUCCESSFUL" The PCOS will automatically return to Main Menu.

    pp) Unless otherwise ordered by the Commission, the BEI shall not stop or postpone the counting until it has been completed;

    qq) In case a PCOS fails to count the vote or transmit/print the results, the Operator shall announce the error and undertake the necessary corrective measures. Should the Operator be unable to correct the error, he shall call on the Technical Support personnel assigned to the Voting Center for assistance. Such fact shall be noted in Minutes.

[ii]     Rep. Act No. 9369, Sec. 19. Section 18 of Republic Act No. 8436 is hereby amended to read as follows:

                “SEC. 22. Electronic Returns... "The election returns transmitted electronically and digitally signed shall be considered as official election results and shall be used as the basis for the canvassing of votes and the proclamation of a candidate." (emphasis supplied)

[iii]    Comelec Resolution No. 9640, General Instructions for the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI), on the Testing and Sealing, Voting, Counting and Transmission of Results in Connection with the May 13, 2013 National and Local Elections, 15 February 2013, Sec. 51(f), (g) and (h).

[iv]    Comelec Invitation to Bid, Portable UV Lamps, April 2010.

[v]     Comelec Resolution No. 8786, Sec. 36(b).

[vi]    Comelec Resolution No. 9640, Sec. 47(a)(ii).