GORDON TRANSCRIPT ON KAPIHAN

On the implementation of R.A. 9369 or the Amended Automation Election Law

There was a previous ElectionAutomation Law in 1997 which was never utilized. We bought the machines but they were not used. In reference to the recent automated election, there were still loopholes. We need to have adequate preparations. We also need to overhaul our Comelec in terms of putting in more computer literate individuals. We need to overhaul the voters' registration process. This must also be automated. This means that we must consider having a national ID system. Then we need to greatly improve the transmission aspect of the automated election for vote protection. Adopting the block system voting- meaning the vote of the president is also the vote of the vice president- will further enhance our automated elections in the future.

On the seemingly limited time to educate the voters on the automated election system

I think we must give much credence on the intelligence of our voters. 70 million Filipinos are capable of using cell phones and I think they are capable of using a very simple automated election system. What we need is more technicians and trained teachers.

On the 2 million nulled votes as attributed to the voters' lack of education on the automation system

I think there was a lot of education campaign going on insofar as marking the ballot is concerned. It's really carelessness. That's why I was even suggesting Comelec that instead of sample ballot, they should have come up with a streamer inside a precinct that will show clearly the rules and how the rules are going to strictly implemented.

Yes, I would say so that the cause of the 2 million nulled votes is more of a human factor rather than a machine error. The machines are disciplined to count the votes properly.

On Roxas' claim that the nulled votes should be counted manually

Protest caused a lot of money. Protest caused disunity. Sabi nga nila there are only two types of people in this country. 'Yung nanalo at 'yung nadadaya. That's why we have this automated election in order to eliminate a large chunk of possible cheating. Down there, there should not be any delayed in transmission, even on unofficial results.

On shifting from PCOS to other form of machines in 2013 automated election

Kaya PCOS kasi precinct count 'yan. Kung saan ka pumasok doon binilang. Di katulad dati pumasok ka sa pintong itong ito, tapos inayos sa probinsya, inayos sa munisipyo. Dinagdag bawas doon. Kaya okey sa akin ang precinct count. Kasi, kung ano ang lumabas sa presinto ay makikita sa buong Pilipinas.

On the implementation of R.A. 9369 or the Amended Automation Election Law

There was a previous ElectionAutomation Law in 1997 which was never utilized. We bought the machines but they were not used. In reference to the recent automated election, there were still loopholes. We need to have adequate preparations. We also need to overhaul our Comelec in terms of putting in more computer literate individuals. We need to overhaul the voters' registration process. This must also be automated. This means that we must consider having a national ID system. Then we need to greatly improve the transmission aspect of the automated election for vote protection. Adopting the block system voting- meaning the vote of the president is also the vote of the vice president- will further enhance our automated elections in the future.

On the seemingly limited time to educate the voters on the automated election system

I think we must give much credence on the intelligence of our voters. 70 million Filipinos are capable of using cell phones and I think they are capable of using a very simple automated election system. What we need is more technicians and trained teachers.

On the 2 million nulled votes as attributed to the voters' lack of education on the automation system

I think there was a lot of education campaign going on insofar as marking the ballot is concerned. It's really carelessness. That's why I was even suggesting Comelec that instead of sample ballot, they should have come up with a streamer inside a precinct that will show clearly the rules and how the rules are going to strictly implemented.

Yes, I would say so that the cause of the 2 million nulled votes is more of a human factor rather than a machine error. The machines are disciplined to count the votes properly.

On Roxas' claim that the nulled votes should be counted manually

Protest caused a lot of money. Protest caused disunity. Sabi nga nila there are only two types of people in this country. 'Yung nanalo at 'yung nadadaya. That's why we have this automated election in order to eliminate a large chunk of possible cheating. Down there, there should not be any delayed in transmission, even on unofficial results.

On shifting from PCOS to other form of machines in 2013 automated election

Kaya PCOS kasi precinct count 'yan. Kung saan ka pumasok doon binilang. Di katulad dati pumasok ka sa pintong itong ito, tapos inayos sa probinsya, inayos sa munisipyo. Dinagdag bawas doon. Kaya okey sa akin ang precinct count. Kasi, kung ano ang lumabas sa presinto ay makikita sa buong Pilipinas.

On Null votes

If the country really wants to do it, then we can open all the ballots now and what will that do to us? I think there has been some checking in Cabuyao and how the machines have proven in the audit na parehas lumalabas hindi ba? So what for? I think its time that if the moment's over, it's over. Magkakamali lang naman 'yung machine kung mali 'yung boto. Kung talagang tinesting yan, sana naayos. Remember, there were three who were opposing the testing. The two guys were Osmena and Roxas, who said they didn't want any testing.

Automation Law on Manual Count

If you feel there is cheating then you can open the ballot boxes. It's allowed. You have to get a Comelec approval.

On protest during canvassing

They are now in the process of canvassing. Once the process of canvassing has started, you cannot delay that. So post-proclamation na lang yung ang bibilanging yan. Titingnan mo 'yung balota. Unless you can get a restraining order.

On future plans, vote-buying, surveys

First, I will tell you. It will be unfair for me to say that I did not enjoy the Senate. I enjoyed the Senate very much. I was also exasperated with the Senate very much. I was frustrated. Like I said, I am a man who wants to see things done very fast and for that I have been grossly misunderstood by many in our country. Hindi tayo sanay na prangka or direkta magsalita 'yung isang tao dito. Unfortunately, that's the way I was raised by my parents. To say the truth and say what's on your mind. Just like the election. Pag tapos na, tapos na. I still think that we should not allow too much advertising because that is really conditioning and the worst conditioning of all is the surveys. It's very, very sad that we want to have elections that are reasonably ran well so that you don't steal later. Alam n'yo ang lakas ng vote-buying sa province. Ang vote-buying sa mga mayors, congressman, binabayaran nila anywhere from P500 to P1,500. Dagdagaan n'yo pa ang advertising. I believe in surveys. But when you use the surveys regularly, testing and testing and testing and because of your advertising pa, ang tv, radio and lahat lahat. Are the people getting wiser because of that advertising? And are the people able to discern and to really reflect on their vote if they are told - 'walang panalo 'yung bata mo kahit magaling?' There's a appeal I want to make and will continue with the suit against SWS and Pulse Asia. Napakahina ba natin na nakita natin that there are interlocking directors within SWS and Pulse Asia? What is to be gained by saying week one, ito ang survey, week two ito ang survey? Every two weeks mayroong survey. What has to be gained by that except to block the minds of the people. Dapat 'yung batas, 'yung survey, hindi dapat pinapublish yan. Negosyo 'yan. Going back to your question, I have to take a retreat from the Senate because I really thought that the other candidates did not have the maturity necessary. They are all bright, even Erap I never thought that Erap was weak of mind. But you do need a certain amount of wisdom, of experience, in terms of executive expertise, legislative expertise, judgment.

On future offer to work for Aquino administration

I love my country. Whenever I think I can be of assistance, why not? But I don't think I will lobby for it. I have never lobbied for a position in this country. Even as Secretary of Tourism, I did not lobby for a position with Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. If I have to lobby, I would have lobbied for SBMA again because I wanted to fix it again but I did not. And if Noynoy think I can still be of service, fine, I'll think about it. I'll be honored if I'd be given again that chance but I'm not lobbying for it. I will respect what he wants. Kung tama ang gagawin niya all the way ako for Noynoy.

On election killings

But there is less killings today. Why? Because everybody is expecting that the automated (election) is now impersonal. Wala ng tao nagbibilang. So hindi masakit. Hindi nila mapatunayan na nadaya nila 'yung teacher or yung registrar. Mas tanggap 'yung tao.

On involvement with Red Cross

Red Cross has always been my family's love. I've been working there quietly. We are increasing the capability of emergency management technicians. We are going to use a new system for HIV corridor which will be limited from one month nakatago ( 'yung dugo) to one week na lang nakatago.

On practicing law

That is something I am considering. I might go into some law office. I was in the ACRA law before, I might go back to ACRA, I don't know. Senator Angara hinted the other day but I'm not making a decision right away.

On abnormal election practices like premature campaigning

I recommend to the Senate that they would limit advertising expenses. That they limit surveys. I am suggesting that magkaroon ka ng limitation on the ballots. Napakaraming kandidato. I would like to see longer terms for mayor, longer terms for congressman and perhaps shorter ballots. Habaan mo 'yung campaign period. You can file your Certificates of Candidacy but absolutely no within 90 days.

On Boy Abunda as possible Tourism Sec.

I don't want to second guess the presumptive President. If you are President, you are allowed to select members of your cabinet. They are your official family. You will have to answer for them. Besides, he declined already. But you know tourism is very important. You have to get somebody that is celebral at pragmatic. Kasi maraming facets yan, hindi lang advertising, representation on the World Tourism Organization, PATA, Tourism boards. Kailangang marunong ka mag-market, imotivate 'yung local, marunong mag- distribute ng assets. You know, tourism is treated very lightly here but that is the most important industry we can handle now.

Comment on election results

Lahat mga nay-sayers, mga pessimists, even they agree that pasado, hindi ba? Ako personally, I always raise the bar. There's a lot to be done pa. Especially, for the Comelec. Mas madaling ayusin 'yan if we fully automate 'yan, with the IDs.