Independent presidential candidate Senator Ma. Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal Monday deplored the Commission on Elections (Comelec) purported decision to deactivate a system in all precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines allowing voters to verify if indeed their votes for particular candidates were counted.

She said it is outrageous that the Comelec had to order the deactivation of the system considering that it is one of the most important safeguards that could assure voters that the votes they cast are properly counted.

Madrigal revealed the Comelec’s supposed deactivation of PCOS machines’ ballot verification safeguard after the ocular inspection she had, supposedly with other presidential candidates, at the National Printing Office (NPO) where a number of PCOS machines were also stored for ballot testing.

Madrigal was the only presidential candidate who attended the Comelec’s invitation, which was said to have been sent to all others. Former defense secretary Avelino Cruz, who was sent by the Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer, and vice presidential candidate Jay Sonza also showed up during the inspection.

“Before pwede mo i-verify kung yung boto mo ay talagang nabilang pero inalis po ng Comelec yan.

Nakakapagtaka kung bakit yung pinaka importanteng feature bilang botante, gusto mo ma-verify kung ang boto mo ay nabilang, inalis po nila etong feature na ito [In the original set up, you may verify in the PCOS machines if your votes had been counted but the Comelec removed this feature. It is surprising that this very important feature was removed],” she told reporter in a press conference held after the inspection.