I attended a lecture on the automated election system, held on January 26, 2010 at the Abelardo Hall of the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, initiated by the Aquino-Roxas Bantay Balota (ARBB).
Among the battery of issues that i raised in that forum is, first, about the integrity of the software that was programmed in the counting of votes. I couldn't help but compare the principle to a taxi meter where there is an automatic flag-down rate, the moment it is switched on and continue to accumulate every few meters of the road. In comparison, the PCOS (Precinct Count Optical Scan)machine might also have a "flag-down rate", but which might only be activated at the end of the process, or during the counting, or storing of data or transmission for canvassing. There is a widespread speculation or fear that the PCOS machine could be factory pre-programmed, such that for every 100 votes or ballots cast, 20 goes automatically counted to a favored candidate, then stored into a small memory card, which data is highly vulnerable to corruption once it gets into dangerous human hands.
Second,it was explained, that when a particular PCOS machine bogs down, it's memory card shall be ejected and transported and fed to another PCOS machine in any precinct and location, where the interrupted process of counting and transmission to the Board of Canvassers is to be continued.
Thus, it can be construed that a memory card from Maguindanao is readable and could be processed by another machine in Manila, and vice-versa! While in transit, can a memory card be switched with another one that might have been loaded with data that are more pleasant and favorable to the perpetrators; and, perhaps, even re-feed the same loaded memory card to other machines for as many times as they want?
Third, transmitted data from a PCOS machine is received by a gadget as simple as a laptop. Only the BOC could view whatever is received and displayed in the small monitor of the laptop. Not the watchers; not the public! Why not attach a projector to the laptop, so the public may know what's going on during the canvassing in the first level!What they see in the first level will be their basis for comparison in the next canvassing level and up to the last, which is either the COMELEC or the House of Representatives
Fourth, why thermal paper in the printing returns? Data in thermal papers, as in lotto tickets, cash register receipts, and facsimile (fax) machines fade after awhile, even if hermetically sealed from natural elements. Once it fades, there is no more basis for audit. Moreover, once the function of one machine has been accomplished, all data are eternally erased. Hard copies from ordinary printers and ordinary papers last for even 99 years!
If that's the case, the "dagdag-bawas" phenomenon is still alive and kicking!
Don't get mad, please! Don't insult! Just respond! It's a speculation that's as good as real!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Questionable Claims!
1. The Philippines is the world's second largest English-speaking nation. In reality, most Filipinos do not speak English on the street while the Department of Education is bothered by Filipino students' low English proficiency level. In comparison, English is the main language in the streets of United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and other British territories.
2. The Philippines has the largest Christian population in Asia. China actually has over 80 million Christians and is therefore the country with largest Christian population in Asia.
3. The Philippines was second to Japan in economic prosperity in Asia in the 1950s. Coming out of World War II, most East Asian countries, including the Philippines, were in still in recovery in the 1950s. Some of them had just won their freedom while economic prosperity was a strange phrase during that period. Even our parents would agree that life was harder in the 1950s. The Philippines never became rich and its golden age has yet to set in. Economic situation, however, was less burdening in 1996 and 1997 under the Ramos administration.
4. The Philippines is an agricultural economy. The Philippines is no longer an agricultural country. It cannot even produce enough rice, sugar or wheat to feed its entire population and has to import food from Thailand, Vietnam and the United States. The country's agricultural exports comprised less than 5 percent of its total outbound shipments in 2001. While the agriculture sector employed 37 percent of the workforce in 2001, it contributed only 21 percent to the gross domestic product (GDP). The industrial and services sectors contributed the remaining 79 percent to the domestic economy.
5. Filipinos are the happiest people in the world. The World Values Survey conducted by University of Michigan in 1998 ranked Iceland 1st and the Philippines 12th among 54 countries in happiness index. The Philippines was ranked first among Asian countries though. The truth is happiness cannot be measured.
6. Early Filipinos had a perfect socio-economic and justice system before the Spaniards came. There was never a perfect society in the world and tales about gold abounding in the Philippines five centuries ago remain to be proven. The fact is slavery, war, witchcraft, beheading and human sacrifice were already present in the country before the Spaniards came.
7. The Philippines is a favorite destination of foreign tourists. It could have the finest beach resorts in the world, but the Philippines gets only about 2 million foreign tourists annually. In comparison, smaller Asian countries like Singapore and Hong Kong receive over 8 million foreign guests every year.
8. The Philippines is one of the safest and most peaceful places on earth. That is what the Department of Tourism claims but according to the International Red Cross, the Philippines registered the world's fourth highest number of casualties and injuries as a result of natural disasters and man-made calamities from 1992 to 2001 - 5.8 million cases in all. It was behind China, India and Iran. China and India were expected in the accident list because they have the largest populations in the world.
9. Equitable distribution of wealth would resolve the poverty problem in the country. In reality, the country's per capita income or the imaginary figure referring to every Filipino's equal share in the country's total wealth, is below US$1,000. In comparison, countries like the United States, Germany, Japan and even Singapore have a per capita income of over US$25,000. This means that an ordinary American is 25 times richer than an ordinary Filipino. What would be needed to relieve poverty is to enlarge the economic pie by drawing more capital and resources into the country, so every Filipino would get a larger share.
10. Basketball is the dominant sports in the Philippines. Not any more. Because of the growing youth population and the lack of basketball courts, most Filipino children are now trooping to computer game shops and billiard halls.
11. Filipinos invented the fluorescent lamp that illuminated the world and the Lunar Rover used by American astronauts on the moon. The National Academy of Science and Technology disagrees.
2. The Philippines has the largest Christian population in Asia. China actually has over 80 million Christians and is therefore the country with largest Christian population in Asia.
3. The Philippines was second to Japan in economic prosperity in Asia in the 1950s. Coming out of World War II, most East Asian countries, including the Philippines, were in still in recovery in the 1950s. Some of them had just won their freedom while economic prosperity was a strange phrase during that period. Even our parents would agree that life was harder in the 1950s. The Philippines never became rich and its golden age has yet to set in. Economic situation, however, was less burdening in 1996 and 1997 under the Ramos administration.
4. The Philippines is an agricultural economy. The Philippines is no longer an agricultural country. It cannot even produce enough rice, sugar or wheat to feed its entire population and has to import food from Thailand, Vietnam and the United States. The country's agricultural exports comprised less than 5 percent of its total outbound shipments in 2001. While the agriculture sector employed 37 percent of the workforce in 2001, it contributed only 21 percent to the gross domestic product (GDP). The industrial and services sectors contributed the remaining 79 percent to the domestic economy.
5. Filipinos are the happiest people in the world. The World Values Survey conducted by University of Michigan in 1998 ranked Iceland 1st and the Philippines 12th among 54 countries in happiness index. The Philippines was ranked first among Asian countries though. The truth is happiness cannot be measured.
6. Early Filipinos had a perfect socio-economic and justice system before the Spaniards came. There was never a perfect society in the world and tales about gold abounding in the Philippines five centuries ago remain to be proven. The fact is slavery, war, witchcraft, beheading and human sacrifice were already present in the country before the Spaniards came.
7. The Philippines is a favorite destination of foreign tourists. It could have the finest beach resorts in the world, but the Philippines gets only about 2 million foreign tourists annually. In comparison, smaller Asian countries like Singapore and Hong Kong receive over 8 million foreign guests every year.
8. The Philippines is one of the safest and most peaceful places on earth. That is what the Department of Tourism claims but according to the International Red Cross, the Philippines registered the world's fourth highest number of casualties and injuries as a result of natural disasters and man-made calamities from 1992 to 2001 - 5.8 million cases in all. It was behind China, India and Iran. China and India were expected in the accident list because they have the largest populations in the world.
9. Equitable distribution of wealth would resolve the poverty problem in the country. In reality, the country's per capita income or the imaginary figure referring to every Filipino's equal share in the country's total wealth, is below US$1,000. In comparison, countries like the United States, Germany, Japan and even Singapore have a per capita income of over US$25,000. This means that an ordinary American is 25 times richer than an ordinary Filipino. What would be needed to relieve poverty is to enlarge the economic pie by drawing more capital and resources into the country, so every Filipino would get a larger share.
10. Basketball is the dominant sports in the Philippines. Not any more. Because of the growing youth population and the lack of basketball courts, most Filipino children are now trooping to computer game shops and billiard halls.
11. Filipinos invented the fluorescent lamp that illuminated the world and the Lunar Rover used by American astronauts on the moon. The National Academy of Science and Technology disagrees.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
Most Profitable Businesses Today:
1. Gambling in the form of online lottery or text games;
2. Power generation and distribution, (thanks to purchased power cost adjustment);
3. Mobile phone networks, as long as the country is hooked to "texting";
4. Beer and wine production, as always;
5. Drug manufacturing and retail, because medicines here are twice as expensive;
6. Computer training centers which promise instant jobs after graduation;
7. Kindergarten schools with exorbitant tuition fees;
8. Caregiver training centers for people wanting to go to Canada and US;
9. Immigration consultancy which offers expensive seminars;
10. Job placement agencies;
11. Pyramid selling;
12. Laundry services for American troops;
13. Importing ukay-ukay;
14. Selling pirated VCDs and softwares;
15. Kidney buy and sell;
16. Smut publishing, as in yellow journalism;
17. Billiard tables for rent;
18. Computer game shops;
19. Money exchange in Basilan; and
20. Bikini car wash as the one in Iloilo City.
21. Usurious lending in government and private offices (commonly called 5-6).
22. Gift checks trading.
1. Gambling in the form of online lottery or text games;
2. Power generation and distribution, (thanks to purchased power cost adjustment);
3. Mobile phone networks, as long as the country is hooked to "texting";
4. Beer and wine production, as always;
5. Drug manufacturing and retail, because medicines here are twice as expensive;
6. Computer training centers which promise instant jobs after graduation;
7. Kindergarten schools with exorbitant tuition fees;
8. Caregiver training centers for people wanting to go to Canada and US;
9. Immigration consultancy which offers expensive seminars;
10. Job placement agencies;
11. Pyramid selling;
12. Laundry services for American troops;
13. Importing ukay-ukay;
14. Selling pirated VCDs and softwares;
15. Kidney buy and sell;
16. Smut publishing, as in yellow journalism;
17. Billiard tables for rent;
18. Computer game shops;
19. Money exchange in Basilan; and
20. Bikini car wash as the one in Iloilo City.
21. Usurious lending in government and private offices (commonly called 5-6).
22. Gift checks trading.
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