Comelec blogs (in 2010)

I remember writing a similar “futuristic” article about supposed automated elections in 2004. But this recent blog entry from James Jimenez, the official spokesperson of the Commission on Elections, is simply hilarious. He writes:

The widespread acceptance of modernized voting processes spurred a change in campaigning strategies as well.

The internet was proven to be an effective campaign vector in 2007 and by 2010, podcasts have all but replaced traditional broadcast advertising. Podcasts are cheaper to produce, and persist far longer than 30-second spots on tv and radio. Newspaper ads are taken over by on-line advertising.

Jimenez aptly titles this entry “go scratch yourself, if you can’t take a joke.” Apparently, the Comelec spokesperson is on a roll:

On the second monday of may, the electronic ballot boxes were opened; the results were available in under five minutes, broadcast live over the internet. Within two hours, the COMELEC proclaimed the winner of all races except the presidency and vice-presidency. Using COMELEC provided facilities, the results were fed into the canvassing computers of Congress where armies of accountants verify the math. Within five hours, Congress gave up trying to punch holes into the results, and the president and vice-president elect were announced. None of the candidates (5 each for president and vice) achieved a majority, and the winning candidates each enjoyed a lead of less than three-quarters of a million. More people voted on the 4th season of Philippine Idol than in the elections.

Jimenez’s blog — perhaps one of a handful of government-related blogs I’ve seen in years — offers you a snapshot of issues hounding the agency. I’ve been covering the poll body since 1998, or at least every time it holds a national and local elections. Every time, you’ll deal with a lot of serious stuff, not to mention a lot of legalese. So this recent blog entry is a welcome comic relief.

Jimenez also maintains other blogs, one called inside the Comelec, which is actually an official alternative website to its static official website. On serious days, he shares his thoughts on pertinent issues of the day.

I remember half-jokingly suggesting to another government official before: What if our President starts blogging? That will be an interesting read. But I digress.

I admit that I admire government officials who blog. Peter Lavina, a city councilor in Davao City, is another example. They bring transparency to public service. And as I emphasized on my earlier posting on “Why I blog,” it actually initiates conversation. Here’s an interesting thought from Peter:

My blog’s first year anniversary is coming fast. I am excited to prove to the whole world that my attempt at blogging is no fluke or fad. I am still being referred in the Philippine blogosphere as perhaps the most active if not the only elected official blogging in the country.

Quite an accolade but I really am a failure than a success. Why? Because when I started blogging I vowed to promote it as a tool for participatory governance. Well, not many followed my lead. So, I am a big failure.

Anyway, this blog will turn 1 year old on March 9. For that I really feel happy. Yehey!

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