Poll process should be reformed, not just disposal of Smartmatic — Kiko

Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. INQUIRER.net file photo / CATHY MIRANDA

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said on Friday that the whole electoral process should be reformed and not just the disposal of Smartmatic, the provider of the vote-counting machines (VCMs) for the country’s automated elections.

“Sana i-diretso na ang reporma sa halalan at panagutin ang mga dapat panagutin,” Pangilinan said in a statement.

This is in reaction to President Rodrigo Duterte’s earlier order to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to dispose of Smartmatic and “look for a new one that is free of fraud.”

READ: Duterte tells Comelec: Dispose Smartmatic

The senator then listed instances where accountability is demanded, such as:

1. Violation of election rules on billboards, posters, and the use of government resources and facilities
2. Malacañang’s release of “baseless narcolist” which was a threat to local politicians
3. President Duterte’s threats to delay the projects of politicians who will not support the administration
4. Comelec’s denial of the opposition’s request for a debate during the campaign
5. Comelec’s decision to name as “dominant minority” the Nacionalista party, which Pangilinan said, was allied with the majority.
6. Numerous reports of unmailed ballots to many overseas Filipino workers, thus disabling them to exercise their right to vote
7. Comelec’s refusal to give access to their mirror servers
8. Malfunctioning of hundreds of vote-counting machines during the elections amid reports of vote-buying. Pangilinan said the Comelec also refused to give a list of voting precincts where VCM machines malfunctioned.

Pangilinan earlier questioned the credibility and fairness of the 2019 elections.

He pointed out that the Duterte administration imposed fear and violated several election rules to secure victory.

“Pinakilos ang buong makinarya ng makapangyarihan para siguraduhing wala ni isa sa ating mga kandidato ang magkakamit ng poder sa Senado,” Pangilinan wrote on his Facebook post on Thursday.

“Nagkaroon ng pagbabanta, pananakot, massive vote-buying, electioneering at iba pang mga paglabag sa Omnibus Election Code,” he added. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)

READ: Duterte admin imposed fear, violated rules in 2019 polls — Pangilinan