Comelec auctions off ‘unserviceable’ vote count machines

Comelec headquarters in Intramuros, Manila. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) auctioned off “unserviceable” precinct count optical scanner (PCOS) machines and other election equipment, the poll body announced in a memorandum Thursday afternoon, Dec. 19.

The move came at the recommendation of the Comelec Disposal Committee, adopted during the commission’s referendum consultation on Wednesday, Dec. 18.

“The Commission En Banc resolved to adopt the recommendations of the Comelec Disposal Committee… on the sale of unserviceable PCOS machines, PCOS/VCM (vote counting machines) plastic bins with cover, yellow metal ballot boxes and plastic pallets of the Commission,” the memorandum read.

READ: Comelec receives last batch of ACMs for 2025 polls

According to the memorandum, Comelec awarded the contract for the unserviceable PCOS machines to Microsphere System Technology, bidding P12.264 million.

The sale included 81,776 units of the PCOS machine, Comelec told reporters in a Viber message on Thursday evening.

Meanwhile, the contract for the unserviceable PCOS/VCM plastic bins as well as yellow metal ballot boxes and plastic pallets was awarded to RHT Storage Center, bidding P202,800.

The memorandum added that Microsphere System Technology and RHT Storage Center had 30 calendar days upon receiving their respective notices of awards to retrieve the paraphernalia after full payment.

The equipment was said to be stored at the Surface Mail Exchange Department facility in Port Area, Manila; a warehouse in Santa Rosa, Laguna; and the Office of the Election Officer in Las Piñas City.

READ: Comelec-Miru Systems deal to go on despite SC ruling: ‘It’s not retroactive’

Comelec will be using automated counting machines (ACMs) from South Korea-based firm Miru Systems for the national and local elections in May 2025.