MALACANANG, Philippines – Malacanang has welcomed the printing of 56.9 million ballots to be used for the May elections ahead of schedule.
In a radio interview over Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. noted the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) report that all the ballots were printed in only 49 days.
The COMELEC began printing the ballots last February 8 with the target date of completion set for April 25.
“Malugod po nating tinatanggap ang balita ng COMELEC hinggil sa pagtatapos ng paglilimbag ng 56.9 milyong balota na naisagawa sa loob lamang ng 49 na araw, 49 days o 18 days ahead of schedule. Nalagpasan nito ang mga naunang record na naitala noong 2013 na kung kailan ay nakapaglimbag ng 52 milyong balota sa loob ng 57 araw,” said Coloma.
“Ang nailimbag ng National Printing Office na balota para sa 2016 elections ay 56.9 million ballots o 8 percent ang paghigit doon sa bilang na 52.3 million ballots na inilimbag noong 2013…iyong bilang ng balota na kanilang inilambag noong 2013 ay 14 na porsiyentong mas mababa pero mas mabilis na natapos ng National Printing Office ang paglilimbag sa loob lamang ng 49 na araw,” Coloma further said.
The Palace official said the printing of all ballots would ensure that the upcoming elections would be orderly and on schedule.
“Malaki ang magiging ambag ng pagkumpleto sa pag-imprenta ng balota sa pagsisiguro nang maayos at nasa takdang oras na pagsasagawa ng pambansang halalan,” said Coloma, adding that verifications of the printed ballots are ongoing.
“Mayroong maliit na bahagi ng itinuring natin na isasailalim pa sa kaukulang beripikasyon. Gayunpaman, masasabi natin katulad ng ipinahayag ng COMELEC na ang pagwawakas ng paglilimbag ng balota ay pagpapatunay sa mabungang pag-uugnayan ng COMELEC at National Printing Office. Ang National Printing Office o NPO ay nasa ilalim ng ating tanggapan — ang Presidential Communications Operations Office,” Coloma added.
Meanwhile, Coloma said the overseas absentee voting, which began on Saturday, turned out well.
“Tungkol naman sa overseas absentee voting ayon sa ating mga natunghayang ulat, naging matagumpay ang pagsisimula ng pagboto ng humigit-kumulang 1.38 milyong migranteng Pilipino o overseas Filipinos sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo,” said Coloma.
“Nakikiisa po tayo sa COMELEC sa kanilang hangarin na mas maraming bilang ng ating mga kababayan sa ibang bansa ang lumahok sa halalan at itaguyod ang kanilang karapatang bumoto,” he further said.
COMELEC chairperson Andres Bautista described the printing of ballots as the fastest in automated election history.
Bautista also noted that this year’s ballot design is shorter compared to the ballots used in 2010 and 2013, which made the printing faster.
The COMELEC chief said at least 77 % of all printed ballots have been verified using the voted counting machines as of Friday.
Palace welcomes early completion of ballot printing for May 9 elections
