MANILA, Philippines -- Despite an endorsement by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the proposal to postpone the elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the Commission on Elections is confident that it is ready, having completed 98 percent of its preparations, its spokesman said Thursday.

“We are not wasting our time thinking if it will push through or not,” James Jimenez said in an interview.

He said that the Comelec would not wish to be distracted in their preparations, especially now that they were in the last and most difficult part of the process.

In a separate interview, Comelec chairman Jose Melo said that the poll body was pushing through with its preparations.

“Ang ginagawa namin dito ay [What we are doing here is] as if there is no law forthcoming, as if hindi pinag-uusapan ang [we are not talking of] postponement,” Melo said.

Meanwhile, Comelec commissioners insisted that the polls should push through.

“We have prepared everything and if we postpone it so much will be wasted,” Comelec commissioner Moslemen Macarambon said in a separate interview.

Newly appointed commissioner Leandro Leonida said that the automated polls would ensure honest elections and minimize corruption.

“Kung walang puhunan, walang hahabuling investment ang ating mga kandidato [If there is no capital, our candidates will not run after any investment]. Pure public service ang ibigay nila [They will deliver pure public service],” Leonida said.