Press Release
November 9, 2009

Gordon cautions Comelec critics against embarking
on 'ghost-hunting' trips

Gordon cautions Comelec critics against embarking on 'ghost-hunting' trips Senator Richard J. Gordon has admonished critics of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against prematurely looking for "ghosts" or hitches in the poll body's preparation for the automation of the May 2010 presidential elections.

Gordon, father of election modernization in the country and author of Republic Act (RA) 9369 or the amended Automated Elections System Law, stressed that it is better to give the Comelec a chance to prove its capability first instead of assailing it at hand.

"Huwag tayong maghanap ng multo, sisingilin dapat natin ang Comelec kapag talagang hindi nila nagawa iyan," he said.

It was earlier reported that winning contractor Smartmatic International-Total Information Management (TIM), has decided to replace JarlTech International Inc. of Taiwan as the maker of 82,500 precinct count optical scan machines with another company based in Shanghai, China after a recent typhoon damaged JarlTech's plant in Taiwan.

The decision fueled fears that the shift to another manufacturer may delay the delivery of the machines which would cause interruptions in the preparation process, such as not having sufficient time to test the machines and train personnel who will operate the equipment.

However, Smartmatic-TIM spokesperson Gene Gregorio clarified that JarlTech just transferred its operations to Shanghai because it is less likely to be affected by typhoons, unlike Taiwan.

Despite earlier warning the Comelec that it is the poll body's duty to oversee the poll automation project, Gordon expressed belief that it is still within its timetable for the project since it is not an overly complicated one.

"I believe they are on track. I am not worried about that. Hindi mahirap gawin yang gagawin natin," he said.

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