MANILA, Philippines — Pasig City mayoralty candidate and Councilor Vico Sotto chose to delay voting for the 2019 midterm elections after the vote counting machine (VCM) at his precinct reportedly malfunctioned.
“I haven’t voted yet kasi sira ‘yong machine kung saan ako boboto. Hindi siya gumagana,” Sotto told reporters at the Valle Verde 5 covered court on Monday.
Sotto arrived at the polling area at 8:43 a.m. with his mother Connie Reyes. As Reyes queued up to vote, the candidate was informed that the VCM was not functioning.
He was given the option to shade his ballots and leave them with election officers, which would then be fed by the board of election canvassers when a new VCM arrives.
Actress Connie Reyes (left, foreground) arrives at the voting center at the Valle Verde 5 covered court in Pasig City to cast their votes on Monday, May 13, 2019. INQUIRER.NET / GABRIEL PABICO LALU
Sotto however chose to return once the VCM is fixed or a new VCM is delivered by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
“I am very cautious pero nanawagan ako sa lahat ng botante, sa lahat ng poll watchers, sa lahat ng Comelec officials, sa lahat ng Pasigeuño na maging vigilant pag dating ng 6 pm na ipapasok na ‘yong mga balota,” Sotto said.
“Magbantay tayo nang husto para hindi tayo masingitan ng mga balota na galing sa iba dyan, na na-shade na hindi botante talaga ‘yong nag-shade. ‘Wag tayong matulog at ‘wag tayong magpahinga hangga’t hindi nata-transmit ‘yong mga galing sa mga machine,” he added. (Editor: Cenon B. Bibe Jr.)