DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has to explain to the people the reported massive malfunctioning of vote counting machines (VCMs) that marred yesterday’s midterm national and local elections.
“The Comelec is an independent body. Let the Comelec first explain to the people before any investigation,” the President told reporters after casting his vote at Precinct 1245A Cluster 361 at the Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School here.
The President said he respects the Comelec as an independent constitutional body, thus he is giving it the chance to explain to the people what exactly happened and why such disruptions took place that could possibly have disenfranchised thousands of voters.
He said a separate investigation is in order even after Comelec issues an explanation.
Before casting his vote, Duterte presented his passport when asked by an election officer to present an ID. He skipped biometric fingerprinting as his Berger’s disease has rendered data from his fingerprint unreadable or inaccurate. Instead he was made to undergo manual check of his fingerprint.
A “kodigo” came in handy when the President cast his vote, assisted by long-time partner Cielito Avanceña.
He arrived at the polling precinct at 4:32 p.m. and stayed for about 20 minutes. Sources said the President’s precinct was the only cluster allowed to be located in a separate building, for security reasons.
There were seven other voters at the precinct when President cast his vote. The chair where he sat to cast his vote in the 2016 elections was put out of its glass case so he could put his signature on it. It has been displayed in the principal’s office since Duterte’s election victory in 2016.
Before leaving the polling precinct, President Duterte said he was glad there were no reports of massive violence that could have seriously disrupted the conduct of the elections.
The President said he was in contact with both the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police almost every hour to check on the progress of the polls.
“I have yet to receive something that is more than just the ordinary violence. Nothing that big that would disrupt the conduct of the election,” the President maintained.
Meanwhile, Duterte said the election victory of administration-backed candidates would mean an affirmation of his presidency and his controversial programs.
He reiterated his readiness to resign from his post if he feels he no longer enjoys the confidence of the general public.
The President had actively endorsed the senatorial candidates of his political party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) as well as local candidates of his Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod party.
He told reporters he is optimistic his candidates – at least most of them – would get elected. – With Christina Mendez