By Leslie Ann Aquino
The vote counting machine (VCM) that repeatedly rejected the ballot of former vice president Jejomar Binay was replaced Monday after it was found to be the cause of the problem.
Former Vice President and congressman candidate Jejomar Binay casts his vote at San Antonio National Highschool at Makati City on Monday. (Jansen Romero / MANILA BULLETIN)
“Ang naging problema ay yung makina (the problem was with the machine) so the machine would have to be and has, in fact, been replaced,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said in a press briefing at the PICC Forum Tent in Pasay City.
According to the poll official, the accomplished ballots, including that of Binay's, will be fed anew in batches into the replacement VCM.
“We will find out the solution that we did here and see if we can cascade it to other places in the event that they encounter a similar problem,” said Jimenez.
Binay went to the PICC, headquarters of the National Board of Canvassers, to complain about his ballot which was repeatedly rejected by the VCM in his polling precinct in Makati City.
He joined Jimenez in the press briefing after their closed door meeting.
“We would like to thank VP Binay for coming to the PICC personally and to bring up his concerns,” said Jimenez.
“He will now return there (polling precinct) to continue his voting,” he added.
As to those who encountered a similar problem, the poll official asked them to ensure that their ballot is preserved by the Board of Election Inspectors.
When sought for his reaction, Binay welcomed the actions of the poll body.
"I am happy that my experience has been heard and a solution is forthcoming. It helped appease my apprehensions of irregularities," he said. #MatalinongBoto2019