By Tom S. Noda
Computerworld Philippines
December 3, 2009

Former presidential aspirant, senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, lambasted officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Thursday – calling them “analog brains” – with the way the 2010 automated election project is being run.

Escudero made the statement in his speech during this morning’s formal opening of the COMDDAP Expo Manila 2009 exhibit held at the SMX Convention Center in the SM Mall of Asia, where he served as guest of honor and speaker.

In his talk, Escudero thanked members of COMDDAP (Computer Manufacturers, Distributors and Dealers Association of the Philippines) for advancing the ICT industry in the Philippines and wished that the group will continue to help in improving the PC penetration in the country. He claimed COMDDAP will have a big role to play in the upcoming 2010 elections.

Speaking in Filipino, the senator reiterated that he won’t run anymore in the coming elections and this gives him the right to comment about the elections and also appeal for help. He said COMDDAP can help the country to achieve a transparent and credible election especially that it will be automated.

Suddenly, in the middle of his speech, Escudero stunned the audience, composed of COMDDAP officers, CEOs of IT distribution firms, students, as well as officials of the Commission on ICT (CICT) as he lashed out at Comelec officials addressing them as “analog brains.”

“Tila hindi alam ng mga opisyal ng Comelec ang kanilang ginagawa kaugnay ng automation. Sa simpleng pananalita, meron silang mga ‘analog na utak’ para sa isang ganitong sistema ng eleksyon (It seems Comelec officers don’t know what they are doing. In simple words, they have analog brains for this kind of election system),” Escudero said.

The senator added the time has come for the private sector to help in educating the public to better understand about the automated elections. “Kailangan na siguro ng [tulong] ng pribadong sektor para maintindihan. Sana maasahan kayo (COMDDAP) ng pamahalaan,” Escudero said.

When asked by Computerworld Philippines for explanation, the senator simply said that “it is a long story.”

“Mahabang kwento iyon,” quipped Escudero. “They still don’t know how to transmit the results up to now.”

Escudero serves as chairman of the Senate’s Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

Computerworld tried to reach Comelec officials through mobile phone, email and SMS for comment, but received no answer.

According to reports, the Comelec automated election project is experiencing a series of delays with regards to the testing of more than 82,000 precinct count optical scan machines or PCOS. Smartmatic, the commission’s contracted PCOS supplier, recently re-scheduled its delivery of the machines in the country, reports said.

In previous interviews, Comelec said a PCOS takes both the image of the ballot and interpretation of machine to achieve a transparent audit trail.

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