VCMs to be replaced because of max service, not performance

FILE: Comelec acting spokesperson, lawyer John Rex Laudiangco at the PICC in Pasay City on Friday (May 13, 2022). (PNA photo by Ferdinand G. Patinio)

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said the possible replacement of more than 100,000 vote-counting machines (VCMs) used in the May 9 elections is doable but not because of accuracy issues.

Comelec acting spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said Monday the VCMs must be replaced as they have already reached their full performance.

“As stated by (former) Chair (Saidamen) Pangarungan and Commissioners (Marlon) Casquejo and (George) Garcia, the current VCMs have reached their maximum service life,” Laudiangco said in a statement. “The replacement, if ever it will proceed, was not brought about by any accuracy issue.”

Pangarungan, Garcia, and Commissioner Aimee Torrefranca-Neri were bypassed by the Commission on Appointments due to lack of quorum and their terms ended June 30.

They can still be re-appointed by the incoming administration.

Comelec’s Random Manual Audit, which ended on Sunday, showed a 99.96 percent accuracy rate.

“The 0.82 percent breakdowns affected functionality at the time of utilization but never affected the accuracy,” Laudiangco said. “Even with the limited number of breakdowns, accuracy had never been and was never an issue.”

The VCMs were acquired in 2016 and utilized in the 2016, 2019 and 2022 polls.