SC starts oral arguments on voter receipt ruling

The Supreme Court of the Philippines building in Manila, Philippines. (Photo by Mike Gonzalez / Wikimedia Commons.)

MANILA—The Supreme Court (SC) En Banc on Thursday started the oral arguments on its decision ordering the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to print the voter receipt on the May 9, 2016 synchronized automated national elections.

Thirteen magistrates are present at the Session Hall of the SC En Banc.

Comelec Chair Andres Bautista said that it is important that they present to the magistrates how the vote counting machine (VCM) operates.

Bautista added that they are not against the issuance of the voter receipt, but they are running out of time to prepare for such a receipt in the sense that there’s still a need for a bidding for the purchase of the thermal paper for the receipt.