'We therefore have two requests: that the P1 billion contract payment be recovered and that the Ombudsman come up with a report,' said Lagman, further quoting statements from the Supreme Court resolution: 'True, our country needs to transcend our slow, manual and archaic electoral process. But before it can do so, it must first have a diligent and competent electoral agency that can properly and prudently implement a well-conceived automated election system.'

STILL GOING MANUAL

'We can count on another manual system for the 2007 elections, but we can maybe expect some improvements to the system that may be implemented through new technology,' said Akol. However, if the law is not amended, then it would be too late for 2007 because even a hybrid system will not be allowed, she said, referring to RA 8436 which specifically states that only an optical mark reader (OMR) should be used for automated counting.