A tabloid columnist writes that the paralel manual count being pushed by the Makati Business Club and some presidential candidates led by Senator Noynoy Aquino deserves a second look. He argues that if the parallel manual count can help ensure that the objective of clean and honest elections will be achieved then "by all means the Comelec has to adopt it."

Mr. Columnist does have a point there. I agree anything that would help ensure the credibility of the country's first ever automated elections should be considered. However, I don't think Mr. Columnist sufficiently defended why manual count should even be considered at this point in time.

We should all be reminded that nowhere in the law does it state that a parallel manual count should be implemented. What the law states is that we should have full automation and of course that includes the counting aspect of the whole process. As far as I can tell, the idea of having a parallel manual count actually subverts the law.

I sure hope those pushing for the manual count really care about peace and order in this country. I say this because having a parallel manual count actually poses a threat not only to the system. The following quote lifted from a blogpost over at www.betterphilippines.com should give you an idea:

In any case, the manual count is quite dangerous. There will surely be an error in the manual account, and it will surely not jibe with the automated count. So in case there is disparity, which one is to be believed? The manual count can easily be rigged as we know from past counting of votes, so why are the MBC pushing for it?

The MBC is saying we should count each precinct votes and compare with PCOS count for each precinct. They say if there is 1 percent difference in the count nationwide, then we should use only the manual count. In short, they are saying, if there is discrepancy, the manual count is the more credible count! Amazingly, they now believe that the manual count is more credible!

I don't want to be an alarmist but I really think if the parallel manual count will push through things will really turn from bad to worse. For one, its proponents have already put forward the idea that the manual counting results should be trusted more than those from the automated system. That alone undermines the credibility of the system.