'What we want to stress here is not whether the machines work or not, the argument is the process of acquiring the machines; just because the machines are working does not mean we should use them,' said Akol.

According to her, the Comelec must respect the order of the Supreme Court and stop pushing for the use of the machines just because 'they're there anyway."

Standing by its resolution that the ACMs failed to pass the 'critical requirements designed to safeguard the integrity of the elections," the court said 'Comelec must follow and not skirt our decisions. Neither may it short-circuit our laws and jurisprudence.'