Automated elections reflect votes of Filipinos—Binay

Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Vice President Jejomar Binay on Thursday supported the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision to approve the validity of the use of PCOS machines, saying automated elections reflect the votes of the Filipino people.

“Kung hindi siguro tayo nagkaroon ng automation, hindi siguro lumabas ang tunay na kagustahan ng ating mga kababayan,” Binay told reporters after he spoke at the opening of the Asia-Pacific Scout Regional (APR) Management Meeting in Makati City.

Binay said he was confident there would be less allegations of cheating with the automated elections, saying election results were generated faster, leaving less time for violators to cheat.

“Kasi yung precinct nakakapagpadala na kaagad, hindi na dadaan sa iba’t ibang agencies. Kung meron pang batikos, nababawas-bawasan (If the precinct could submit results immediately, they won’t pass several agencies. If there are complaints afterwards, they are lessened this time).”

Binay said President Benigno Aquino III himself said it would be right to push through with the automated elections following the results of the 2010 elections.

The SC on Wednesday upheld the validity of the Comelec’s deal with Smartmatic-TIM for the use of the PCOS machines in the 2010 elections, the first time the country held its nationwide automated elections.

Binay, a long-time mayor of Makati City, won as Vice President in 2010.