MANILA, Philippines—As their organization marks its 18 years of existence, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) volunteers prepare for a change in their task come election day because of the automation of the coming elections.

Leonardo Luna, 57, a PPCRV volunteer for five years, said he has never used a computer in his life.

But he said he's taking Commission on Elections Chairman Jose Melo's word that a cell phone is more complicated to master than the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machine that would do away with manual tallying of ballots that election watchdogs like the PPCRV kept their eyes on in past elections.

During the PPCRV's anniversary rites dubbed “Pagbabago Ako Mismo; Boto Ko ang Sagot” held Saturday at the Manila Cathedral School in Tondo, Manila, the Comelec conducted a demonstration that allowed PPCRV volunteers to fill up test ballots and feed them into a sample counting machine.

“I hope they conduct more demonstrations so we can share this with others. I hope we could also be given training,” said Luna, who uses a cell phone.

Long-time PPCRV volunteer Aida Banting, 53, said she uses a computer to receive and send e-mail messages but does not consider herself computer literate.

“Since there's no more manual tally we should keep an eye on what they will do (after the ballots are cast). You don't know what will come out of the machine,” she said.

PPCRV chairperson Tita De Villa said their volunteers would adapt to the automated elections.

“We can't say after 18 years that elections are clean. There are still many people who do not know how to choose the right candidate, there are still many people who buy votes and sell their votes, there is still dagdag-bawas, and candidates who only have selfish motives,” she said.

“But we have a reason to continue because we have the automated elections. That gives us new hope that fraud will be reduced. But regardless how good the machine is, that is only a machine. We have to remain alert and vigilant on what would be fed into the machine,” she continued.

De Villa said their organization is also buoyed by the integrity of the incumbent Comelec leadership.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, meanwhile, urged the Comelec to issue a manual to guide voters on how to vote and use the ballot scanners on May 10, 2010.

“This is a big challenge to most Filipinos, especially to those who haven’t used a computer in their life. They think it might explode or something,” he told the PPCRV assembly.

He said the PPCRV and other watchdog groups that have taken on the task of voters' education should be familiar with the new system.

“This is also a challenge for us, how to teach (the people) how to use the voting machines so that they won’t be afraid to use it. Because if they don’t know how to use that then they’ll have to be assisted by somebody who knows how to use it, thus eliminating the essence of secret voting,” he said.

Melo assured PPCRV that there is nothing to fear from the machines and said Comelec would come out with the general instructions on the automated election system next month.

“Our voters should not be afraid of the machine. It’s just a simple counting machine,” he said.

He said their concern is familiarizing and training the teachers who will sit as the Board of Election Inspectors per precinct.

Melo also suggested that voter's education should focus more on reminding voters to prepare their list of candidates before going to the polling place “since the ballot we are going to use this time is quite long.”