The Philippine Online Chronicles

Labor party-list group Federation of Free Workers (FFW) said that despite numerous complaints, the elections were generally peaceful across the country.

FFW National President Atty. Allan Montano said that reports from FFW's leaders and members nationwide point to this. "Perhaps, most of the problems arise from all of us being new to automated elections. We will all do better next time," Montano said.

FFW spokesperson Julius Cainglet collated reports from FFW and other workers in the region. He said "most of the problems that cropped up were the ones we expected." It says a lot about the lack of preparations. "We hope that the COMELEC can contain the old problems like voters not being on the list and vote-buying; and new problems like systematizing the automated elections and the problem with malfunctioning PCOS machines. Voters' disenfranchisement will cause more problems for our democracy not only during this election, but in the next," Cainglet added.

In parts of Mindanao, the elections were regarded as peaceful. Atty. Sonny Matula, FFW National Vice President, reported that "voting started at exactly 7:00 am in the remote river town of Loreto, Agusan del Sur." Matula added that the PCOS machines were working well amid the heavy rains in the area.

In Batangas, the elections in the beach town of Nasugbu were generally peaceful. "The elections are going smoothly here," reported Bowie Maranan, President of the Interphil Laboratories Employees Union-FFW.

In the workers' community of Sta. Mesa, Precy Villacorta, President of the FFW Women's Network also reported that the elections were peaceful there. Like in other areas, she lamented the slow process overall.

Not on the list

"My name is not in the certified voters' list," compalined Ricky Vega, FFW Iloilo Branch Coordinator. "I have to get a certification from the City COMELEC before I can vote. I never missed voting in the national elections, ever since I was allowed to vote," Vega added. He is supposed to cast his vote at precinct 302-A at the Jaro National High School, Iloilo.

Vega also reported that at least five PCOS machines malfunctioned, which were eventually replaced. He thinks that even with the extension of voting until 7pm, not all of the voters will be accomodated.

Alvin Gonzales, President of the Temic Automotive Philippines Inc. Employees Union-FFW complained about the slow process. "Pila pa lang wala nang maayos na proseso." said Gonzales, who is registered at Signal Village, Taguig, where a lot of workers at the industrial estate FTI, reside.

"Maraming botante nag-co-consume ng 15-25 mins. sa pag-mark lang ng ballot," Gonzales added.

"Next election dapat may hiwalay na precinct ang senior citizens at may kapansanan. Naiipit sila sa pila kahit pa sabihing may special lane para sa kanila. Dapat ayusin ang watchers. napakarami at nakakasikip sa presinto," Gonzales said.

Zing Camus, FFW Branch Coordinator in Davao, shared the same sentiment. "The PCOS machines are okay, but the procedure eats up too much time," Camus said.

"Perhaps, the COMELEC can learn a thing or two from the occupational safety and health practice of unions," she added. "There should be 5 S in the polling places: sort, set (or systematize), shine (sweep or clean), standardize and sustain. You can pitch in self-discipline, too," said Camus.

Waiting in vain?

Romarico Batac, a call center agent at one of the biggest BPOs operating in the country, complained of the very slow process. "I have been in line for six hours," Batac said. At the Caingin Elementary School, San Rafael, Bulacan, where he has always cast his vote, he reported that the "PCOS machines malfunctions every five ballots fed to it." The BEI decided to give the machine a rest for one hour, but it still stopped working properly every five ballots.

Perhaps to address the uneasiness of the voters, Batac said they were given the ballots to fill in, but were asked to wait until the PCOS machine is ready to be fed. And so the wait resumes.

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