SORSOGON CITY, Philippines -- Senator Francis Escudero raised fears that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) would end up wasting the P11.3-billion budget for the planned computerization of elections in 2010 since it had not fully explained how it would use the funds.

Escudero, who is being touted as a contender for the presidential race in 2010, said here on Thursday that the Comelec has not given the public a clear picture of how the next elections would be held.

“It may be vulnerable. The automated elections may possibly become automated cheating,” he said.

The Bicolano senator also said he got information from the Comelec that data related to the process of counting the votes would first be transmitted to the United States via Internet before the results could get back to the Philippines.

He said this route could be vulnerable to cheating.

Asked if he would really run for president, Escudero was his usual coy self and said he would first study the political climate and focus first on serving the people as senator.

Escudero will turn 40 in October. Under the Constitution, a presidential candidate must be at least 40 years old.

“I am not saying I won't [run], I'm not saying I will. All I am saying is that the decision will have to be made when I'm fully qualified,” Escudero added.