Problems with voting machines don't discourage strong turnout

MANILA, Philippines - The son of Philippine democracy icons took the lead in the vote count for the presidency after the country's first automated elections on Monday, which were marred by technical glitches and violence that claimed at least nine lives.

Sen. Benigno Aquino III had 40.4 percent of the vote from about 38 percent of the precincts, while his closest rival, ousted President Joseph Estrada, had 25.8 percent, according to early results released by the Commission on Elections.

Aquino's father was assassinated while opposing a dictatorship and his late mother led the "people power" revolt that toppled former strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

Aquino campaigned on a strong anti-graft platform and promised to start prosecuting corrupt officials within weeks of his election.

Turnout was 75 percent among about 50 million registered voters, elect politicians for posts from the presidency to municipal councils, the poll body said. There is no runoff in the Philippines and whoever has the most votes is declared winner.

In a country where celebrities commonly seek office, the jewel-studded former first lady Imelda Marcos is running for a House seat, as is boxing star Manny Pacquiao in his second congressional bid.

But even Aquino was unable to immediately cast his ballot, because a vote-counting machine broke down in his precinct. The Elections Commission extended voting for another hour to make up for delays.

Computer problems and campaign-related violence, which has killed more than 30 people in the past three months, were the main concerns in elections that officials hope will set a new standard for the Philippines' fragile democracy.

For the first time, optical scanning machines will count votes in 76,000 precincts. A software glitch discovered a week ago nearly derailed the vote, but was fixed at the last minute. Still, some machines malfunctioned in the tropical humidity, including in Aquino's hometown of Tarlac, north of Manila.

Election Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said about 300 out of 76,000 machines had problems but that most already were replaced, adding that the problems were "not as widespread as it's made to appear."

Former election commission chairman Christian Monsod said the long lines of voters represented "a celebration of democracy."

But a politicized military, a weak central government, private armies and political dynasties have stymied democratic institutions in the Philippines for generations. Elections are often marred by violence, and the latest vote has been no different.

Among those killed on Monday were a marine and a civilian acting as a congressional candidate's bodyguards who died in a clash outside a police station south of Manila.

About 130 deaths preceded the last vote in 2007.

The country's next leader will have no easy task.

He will face multiple insurgencies. Muslim rebels and al-Qaida-linked militants have long staged terrorist attacks and hostage raids from jungle hideouts in the south, where US troops have been training Filipino soldiers.

The next leader also faces entrenched corruption: Outgoing President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has been accused of vote-rigging in 2004 and is implicated in several scandals that led to coup attempts and moves to impeach her. Calls for her prosecution have been an important campaign issue. She denies any wrongdoing and is in running for a seat in the House of Representatives.

The ratings of real estate tycoon Manny Villar, who was neck-and-neck with Aquino in early surveys, plunged after rivals accused him of using his position to enrich himself and avoid a Senate ethics probe.

Meanwhile, ousted President Joseph Estrada, who largely draws support from the poor, has jumped to overtake Villar as No. 2. The former action movie star was removed from office in 2001 and subsequently convicted on corruption charges. He was later pardoned by his nemesis, Arroyo.

Associated Press

(China Daily 05/11/2010 page11)