CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) — Media journalists in Oriental Mindoro applauded the speed and accuracy of the new automated counting machine (ACM) of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) MIMAROPA during its demonstration and roadshow in Calapan City on December 2.
The event showcased the capabilities of the new election technology, which sparked discussions among local journalists and election observers on its potential impact in the upcoming 2025 national and local elections.
Ginalyn Macuha, Program Host of AR FM 98.1, expressed her observations during the demonstration, highlighting the speed and accuracy of the ACM.
“Sa obserbasyon ko po during our demo, mas mabilis nating malalaman ang resulta ng botohan. Nakita ko rin po na mas mabilis nating mache-check kung tama ang output ng ating mga ibinoto. Compared to VCM palagay ko ay mas maayos ang isasagawang eleksyon ngayong 2025,” she said.
Jenelyn Cantos, Station Manager of OMD Pilipinas Online Radio, said that the new ACM is “user-friendly” and reduces the chances of errors.
“Sa demo po ng Comelec ang na-obserb ko ay naipakita ang kakayahan ng automated counting machine sa pagbibigay ng mabilis, tumpak at maaasahang pagbilang ng mga boto. Parang cellular phone lang na user-friendly yung machine tapos makakaiwas at mababawasan ang mga pagkakamali kaya mas magtitiwala ang botante sa integridad ng eleksyon,” Cantos said.
She added that the Comelec’s demonstration was clear and ensured no manipulation of votes.
“Mas malinaw yung demo kasama na yung mga feature na walang pandaraya at manipulasyon,” she stressed.
The ACM, a new addition to the election process in the Philippines, aims to streamline the vote-counting process and ensure faster, more reliable results.
The journalists are optimistic that the technology will help prevent discrepancies and improve the overall transparency of the electoral system in the coming years. (AS/PIA MIMAROPA-Oriental Mindoro)
