A Quick Guide to the Automated 2010 Election

Yahoo! Philippines posted this video on their website. Smartmatic-TIM gave Yahoo! Southeast Asia a demo of the Automation process of the 2010 National Elections.

I had no idea how the automated machine works until I saw this video. This is the first time that computers will be used for voting in the Philippines. I suggest everyone to watch this video to know exactly what to do in your assigned precinct on May 10, 2010.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) was permitted to take on this automation by the Republic Act 9369 or “An Act Authorizing The Commission on Elections To Use An Automated Election System In The May 11, 1998 National or Local Elections And In Subsequent National And Local Electoral Exercises.”

Using this Biometrics technology will make the election cleaner and faster. This will avoid dishonest election practices like misinterpreting, ballot replacements at the precinct, and altering of election returns at the examining level.

This process is new to everyone so the committee is planning to get IT professionals to assist them in handling the machines. From the 250,000 precincts used in 2007, it will be reduced to 80K only. Smartmatic and TIM will cater the 82,500 voting machines with 2,500 machines serving as stand-in. One precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machine can handle about 1,000 voters. Therefore, at least 80,000 IT pros needed to help the board of elections inspectors (BEIs) in the upcoming polls. The law will only allow the BEIs and the IT people inside the polling precincts.

COMELEC will still discuss about the details on the process of getting the IT-capable persons. One thing is for sure, that they will only get those who are accredited by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Crocol University

There is a congregation of crocs working in a prestigious university and they are excited for the up coming 2010 election.

"We must build our own printing press so that we can attract those politicians and get some projects from them!", Mahal said.

"Yes, that's a good idea. I am in!", Teneo said.

"Who wants to join the mob?", Snipe asked.

"This is going to be successful and there is no need to conduct a feasibility study for this!", Mahal exclaimed.

"Yeah, let's ask James Dean if he wants to join.", Blue suggested.

"Okay ask him if he's with us." Mahal said.

Blue hurriedly went to James and when he came back, he said, "Yes he's willing."

"Yes! haha... Now we're playing.", Juan said.

"We must include all the services aside from printing, we should admit book bonding, software programming, anything you can imagine as long as it is related to Information Technology because it works. We can also include video coverage as one of the services.", Mahal said.

"Video coverage? Where shall we get the equipment for that???", Fred asked.

"Oh don't bother to ask and worry about it, we have all the resources. Besides James is with us remember? He's the shielder. hi! hi! hi!", Mahal boastfully said.

The university has all the equipment she is bragging about. Equipment that is owned by the government and was purchased using the people's money. Now she is planning to use them for their own interest? Can you hear the growling sound of a Croc again?

"Don't worry too much because we are not going to put the store under our names. We are going to find a dummy because we are working in a government school and it's not allowed. This is to avoid being caught.", Mahal stated.

This contradicts with the university President's vision:

“Taking the lead in educating and developing highly qualified professionals imbued with the values of industry, nationalism and integrity dedicated towards the generation, enhancement and transfer of knowledge and technology for the attainment of regional and national development…”

An envying vision without action.

An employee's unofficial personal use of government office equipment could lead to sanctions against the employee. This includes limits on use of the apparatus, corrective or administrative actions, and payment for the cost of any improper personal use.

Therefore President Lie Oh Yah, will you just tolerate this plan? Show us your integrity.

A Healing Friend

I am touched when I knew about Baxter's story. Baxter was a therapy dog in San Diego who stayed years giving care and ease to patients usually old people at the last moments of life. He died last October 23 at the age of nineteen.

Baxter was an abused pup and aged to become a licensed therapy dog. He worked for Therapy Dogs International and earned world-wide of fans for his years of voluntary job at San Diego hospice. He loved snuggling , licking faces, and giving happiness for people in the medical care.

Baxter was a friend to patients which made those people who knew him believed that it was his own illness that made him effective. The arthritis he got in his second half of his life left him unable to move and walk. The owner Melissa Joseph, helped him do his duties at the medical care by pulling him in a cart and carrying him to patient's mattresses.

Now I am planning to take my dogs for a bathe tomorrow and I'll clean their pads again. Sometimes I feel guilty about not being able to do this regularly due to my hectic schedule. Don't worry I promise to check them out tomorrow.