Minute Resolution No. 10-0558

This pertains to the Memorandum dated April 20, 2010 of ERSD Director Ester L. Villaflor-Roxas and ITD Acting Director IV Jeannie V. Flororita, Co-Heads, Project Management Office-Technology Group, as forwarded by Executive Director Jose M. Tolentino, Jr., re: (1) procedures for the testing and sealing of PCOS machines, and (2) PCOS machines in four (4) cities, namely, Manila, Davao, Kalookan and Quezon City.

The Memorandum of Directors Villaflor-Roxas and Flororita reads:

"This refers to the following concerns of the Technology Group to wit:

1. Test ballots for use in the Final Testing and Sealing of PCOS. Sec. 4, Procedures for the testing and sealing of PCOS machines states that there will be ten (10) test voters and ten (10) test ballots.

During the Pre-Logic and Accuracy test at the Warehouse, Cabuyao, Laguna, there were ballots intended for a clustered precinct which were rejected by the PCOS. These rejected ballots were not included in the PCOS box to be sent to the BEIs. Therefore, there will be clustered precincts with less than ten (10) test ballots.

2. Mr. Alberto Castro - Project Director of Smartmatic-TIM informed the undersigned that four (4) cities i.e. Manila, Davao, Kalookan and Quezon City with large number of PCOS units will generate a Statement of Votes by Precinct (SOVP) over 11, 000 pages long, using the proposed format of COMELEC. This cannot be generated by the Open Office version in the equipment used for the Canvassing in said areas. Hence, Smartmatic is proposing to convert the CCS generated SOV to Excel format. However, with the excel format, it can be manipulated by interested persons.

In this connection, the undersigned requested for the approval of the following:

1. Authorize the use of less than ten (10) test ballots during the Testing and Sealing in the affected clustered precincts.
2. To convert the SOV for the affected areas to excel format provided the Certificate of Canvass (COC) results shall prevail in case there is a discrepancy between the two (2) documents.

For consideration. "

The Commission RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES, to grant the foregoing requests of ERSD Director Ester L. Villaflor-Roxas and ITD Acting Director IV Jeannie V. Flororita, Co-Heads, Project Management Office-Technology Group, as follows:

1. To authorize the use of less than ten (10) test ballots during the Testing and Sealing in the affected clustered precincts; and
2. To convert the Statement of Votes (SOV) in the affected areas to Excel format: Provided, that the Certificate of Canvass (COC) results shall prevail in case there is a discrepancy between the two (2) documents.

Let the PMO-Technology Group implement this resolution.

SO ORDERED.