Globe Telecom has changed its mind on its agreement with Comelec and Smartmatic for the use of its data center in Makati as a data processing center for the elections in May.

The telecommunications company has expressed apprehension, saying its facility may be compromised. Not even a proposed deployment of soldiers to secure its facility could change Globe's decision.

Obviously, this is a problem. Even Comelec Commissioner Jose Melo admits this might "disturb" the automation of the elections. I'm not sure what he meant by that exactly but it's probably not good.

Comelec and Smartmatic are now looking for a new site for the election data processing center. They are scheduled to check on another Globe facility in Clark Field, Pampanga. However, reports say that facility has already been found to be inadequate since it met only 14 of the 20 requirements set by Smartmatic.

PLDT has offered to provide a data center but only as a back-up.

The data processing center is an important component of the automated system. Comelec says this is where the votes will be consolidated.

Prior to Globe's decision, Smartmatic was already able to set up some of its servers. Apparently, installing the servers does not take too long. Hopefully, the same would be true for finding an alternate facility.