"There is still time for the computerized manual voting, but if we will lose two more months without preparations, it won't also be viable," Tinsay said. He noted that for this system to be implemented, SB No. 2231 must be passed into law -- otherwise, the system won't be valid under existing laws.

SB No. 2231, which was authored by Sen. Richard Gordon, was supposed to have been decided last Wednesday (Aug. 30) but was put on hold since Sen. Sergio Osme'a Jr. was not yet prepared to introduce his amendments, Tinsay said.

The PCS has suggested eight amendments in the bill. These include lifting the limit on the type of technology to be used in a fully automated voting system, or in the electronic transmission of voting results for precincts in the case of a computerize-assisted manual voting system.

Tinsay said the objective of the electronic transmission of results is to substantially eliminate wholesale "dagdag bawas," or the widespread practice of tinkering with election returns.

From the precinct level, voting results would become widely known immediately -- even before the official canvassing -- since these would be electronically transmitted to all concerned groups: the Comelec, Congress, the citizens' vote counting groups, all political parties, and the media.