Malfunctioning VCMs, violence on Election Day saddens Villar

MANILA, Philippines — While thankful for her lead in the partial and unofficial election results, reelectionist Senator Cynthia Villar is saddened by reports that Monday’s voting was marred by isolated violence and cases of malfunctioning vote counting machines.

Villar added that events of the 2019 midterm elections could be a “basis of discussion” to further improve automated elections.

“I am sure this election will be the basis of discussion kung paano natin mai-improve ang automated elections,” Villar said in a statement.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) earlier announced that about 400 vote counting machines suffered technical difficulties on May 13.

READ: Comelec: 400 VCMs suffer glitches on Election Day

She, however, thanked Filipino voters for giving her an early lead in the partial and unofficial tally of votes for the senatorial race.

“Hindi pa po tapos ang bilangan pero natutuwa po ako at nagpapasalamat dahil marami sa ating kababayan ang sumusuporta at naniniwala na isa ako sa mga senador na makakatulong sa kanila,” Villar said.

Villar is leading the senatorial race with 24,426,491 votes and with a lead of 3 million votes against  reelectionist Senator Grace Poe who garnered 21,356,957 votes, according to the latest update of partial and unofficial tally of votes from the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting’s (PPCRV) transparency server

Villar who heads the Nacionalista Party, added said she was also happy that her partymates Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano and Ilocos Norte Governoer Imee Marcos are also doing well in the partial and unofficial results of the polls.

She also noted that majority of the candidates in the senatorial lineup of the Hugpong ng Pagbabagao and those endorsed by President Rodrigo Duterte are also making a strong showing in the polls.

“I also wish to congratulate the voters who really make it a point to fulfill their civic duty na makaboto despite the difficulties and inconveniences of finding their precincts and enduring long lines,” Villar said.

The reelectionist senator also thanked residents of Las Piñas, which is her home city, for electing her daughter Camille as their representative to the House of Representatives.   (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)