I must confess having been guilty of paranoia. But I don’t feel I was alone because millions of Filipinos have been used to too much lying and scheming by the outgoing Arroyo administration, it just seemed improbable that the just concluded election would proceed without massive cheating, confusion, violence and other factors that could lead to a declaration of a failure of elections.
Technical glitches and ill preparations hounded the first-ever automated elections in the country up to election eve that it seemed almost certain there would be total confusion and chaos on election day and many days after. After all, nearly every presidential candidate threatened to either sue or lead massive protests if they were cheated, leading us to believe that whoever won in the official Comelec count, there would be massive protests and violence on the streets, giving the military a good enough reason to step in and take over the government and perhaps install Gloria Macapagal Arroyo back to power.
But miracles do happen, and the so-far successful automated electoral exercise is nothing short of a miracle. Although 18 still died due to election-related violence, the just concluded general elections can still be considered one of the most peaceful in Philippine history. And despite the expected technical glitches and some delays, the elections went on smoothly and orderly. And more importantly, the automated elections enabled the people to know within two days who won the elections.
Of course, there were the usual election problems — missing names in voter’s list, vote-buying, perhaps a few flying voters, etc. – but generally, the election can be considered a success.
The much-maligned Commission on Elections, which totally lost its credibility after the 2004 presidential elections after the “Hello Garci” caper was exposed, deserves to be congratulated for standing its ground on poll automation and for patiently resolving every problems – and there were many – and criticisms – and there were many, too – that were thrown its way.
As of 6:15 a.m. Manila time, or less than two days after the closing of voting, already 78.55 percent of the total votes cast had been transmitted by the equally much-maligned Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines to the Comelec central office, making the outcome of the elections clear just hours after the polls closed.
That the Comelec achieved its tasks despite the short period of preparation and numerous last-minute problems, and amid relentless criticisms made the feat even more incredible. I take my hats off to Comelec Chairman Jose Melo, his commissioners and employees.
The results also gave credibility to the various surveys, particularly the Social Weather Station and Pulse Asia, whose final pre-election percentages closely resembled those of the official Comelec results, especially in the presidential and vice presidential contests. Survey skeptics, such as candidates Dick Gordon and Gibo Teodoro, will now have to rethink their positions for future elections.
But more importantly, credit should be given to the Filipino voters for finally showing maturity in their choices, refusing to be swayed by celebrity endorsers and by expensive commercials and advertisements. The voters should also be praised for not giving up on democratic processes despite numerous claims that the elections would be rigged. Credit should also be given for the voters’ patience, for keeping their calm despite delays and confusion, and making sure that their right to effect change through the ballots was exercised freely.
Equally worthy of praise is Nacionalista Party candidate Manny Villar, who conceded at once to Aquino after the latter established an irreversible lead of nearly eight million votes over him and 4.5 million votes over second-running former President Joseph Estrada of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, with nearly 80% of the votes counted.
Villar, obviously a victim of overeager strategists and publicists, congratulated Aquino and offered to help him in his presidency. Estrada, who early in the counting accused the Comelec of trending in favor of Aquino, hopefully will eventually concede and extend a hand of cooperation to the winner.
The battle between Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay of the PMP and Sen. Mar Roxas of LP was still too close to call as of press time. Binay was leading Roxas by 800,000 votes, but eight million votes remained to be counted. I am certain, though, that both Binay and Roxas, being the gentlemen that they are, would concede defeat when the final tallies are in.
Later in the day, Gibo Teodoro of the Lakas-Kampi, Sen. Dick Gordon of Bagumbayan, Bro. Eddie Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas and actor Edu Manzano of Lakas-Kampi also conceded defeat in their respective presidential and vice presidential runs.
If the top challengers in both the presidential and vice presidential contests concede, this will be the first time in decades, perhaps ever, that no electoral protest was filed in a presidential election. This bodes well for a nation long burdened by divisive politics and struggling to get back on its feet. The actions of those who conceded is, indeed, a refreshing change to the country’s political scene.
“The challenges our country face are enormous and we should work together,” Villar said in offering his helping hand to Aquino. This should be foremost in the minds of all parties and all candidates, winners or losers, after the contentious campaign and election to give time to the new leaders to focus on the daunting task of rebuilding the nation.
And finally, let us hope that Congresswoman Arroyo will finally put to rest any hidden desire to remain in power, and instead focus her attention to representing her district in the coming Congress.
These may be asking too much, but, heck, who would have thought the first-ever automated elections would ever succeed? Who would have thought that one of the dirtiest campaigns would end up to be one of the most peaceful in history? Who would have thought a reluctant politician would emerge from nowhere and give hope to millions of despairing Filipinos?
Miracles do happen. And it’s happening in the Philippines.