This is not just another day in the Philippines. After casting our votes yesterday, a huge chunk of the results is in. But it took a long while before the vote counting machines were able to move forward with the transmission. For seven hours, the partial results got stuck at less than one percent. It wasn’t until 2 a.m. when the transmission from the transparency server resumed. The Commission on Elections server indicated about 86 percent at around 11 p.m.
This was a source of concern for many. “Kailangan pong ipaliwanag ng Comelec kung bakit hanggang ngayon walang update ang transparency server nito. ‘Di tulad ng 2013, 2016 election na halos real-time ito,” Kabataan Partylist Representative Sarah Elago tweeted last night. “71 percent na ngayon ang nabato sa main server pero 0.38 percent pa lang ang nasa transparency server.”
Kailangan pong ipaliwanag ng Comelec kung bakit hanggang ngayon walang update ang transparency server nito. Di tulad ng 2013, 2016 elex na halos real-time ito. 71% na ngayon ang nabato sa main server pero 0.38% pa lang ang nasa transparency server.
— Sarah ng #42Kabataan (@sarahelago) May 13, 2019
Kabataan, Anakbayan, and youth groups organized protests against the irregularities today at various spots in the Philippines including the Comelec office in Intramuros.
LOOK: Kabataan partylist, Anakbayan, and Gabriela gather in front of the Comelec in Intramuros to protest the alleged inconsistencies during the 2019 midterm polls. #MatalinongBoto2019. pic.twitter.com/6VovGJJLJF
— Manila Bulletin News (@manilabulletin) May 14, 2019
But these groups are not the only ones who expressed disappointment on these irregularities. Even Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon has admitted that there is indeed a reason to be disappointed.
“[Ang] dami nang problema [na] hindi ko naranasan ito [noon], [from] ‘yung last elections. [Ang] problema [noon] hindi dahil sa machine, pero [ngayon] ‘yung mismong machine ang nagkaproblema, SD cards hindi [rin nagkaproblema noon]. Ngayon yung SD cards, a thousand ata ang defective,” she said in an interview with Radyo Inquirer.
With that admission, she agrees voters have the right to be frustrated, citing that Comelec has been administering automated elections four times already. “Kami ngang commissioners, we are frustrated. The people have the right to criticize us,” she said.
The dissent regarding the elections and the behavior exhibited during it has also trickled down to public figures in show business, including the likes of actress Angel Locsin, television host Bianca Gonzalez, and news anchor Mike Enriquez.
It’s the lies and black propaganda I don’t understand. If you don’t believe in him don’t vote for him. Spreading lies and destroying the reputation of someone with pure intentions is what I don’t agree with.
— Angel Locsin (@143redangel) May 13, 2019
“It’s the lies and black propaganda I don’t understand,” Angel writes in a tweet regarding the illegal distribution of tabloids during election day about the opposition candidates. “If you don’t believe in him don’t vote for him. Spreading lies and destroying the reputation of someone with pure intentions is what I don’t agree with.”
…Nang severe. ? https://t.co/diFQBK3RdF
— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) May 13, 2019
Bianca Gonzales also quote-tweeted a post regarding the mass malfunctioning of SD cards and VCM’s during the voting. “These are things that should not happen anymore now. This is the 4th automated elections!” reads the quoted post. “Nang severe,” adds the host.
Mike Enriquez spitting truth bombs pic.twitter.com/2BM5DLl3Ei
— Malacañang Events and Catering Services (@MalacananEvents) May 14, 2019
“Gusto ko silang singilin. Anong maaasahan namin sainyo?” Mike directs his question to the newly elected senators while live on GMA News during the elections coverage. “Ngayon palang magkaalaman na. Para habang umuusad ang kanilang termino, mache-check natin yung ginagawa nila versus yung ipinangako nila.”
Mike’s co-anchors proceed tell him to give the senators some time to “enjoy their victory.” Mike responds, “Yung mga bumoboto, mga walang tirahan at walang pang-gamot pag may sakit, subukan mong sabihan sila na, ‘Konting panahon pa ha? Tiis tiis lang.'”
The elections may be over, but our fight and responisbility as citizens continue.
Photo from Inquirer.net
