Former vice president Jejomar Binay’s vote was finally accepted two hours after the vote-counting machine (VCM) repeatedly rejected it.
Binay and his daughter, reelectionist Sen. Nancy Binay, initially tried to cast their votes at their polling precinct at San Antonio National High School early in the morning, but the VCM still failed to read their ballots after several attempts.
He then rushed to the Philippine International Conference Center in Pasay City, where the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is holding its national canvassing, to raise his complaint before the poll body.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez had a closed-door meeting with the elder Binay.
At a press briefing, Jimenez admitted there was a problem with VCM, which was already replaced. He also said other voters who used the VCM will be allowed to recast their votes.
Meanwhile, Binay’s younger daughter Makati Mayor Abby Binay and her husband Makati Rep. Luis Campos Jr. voted at San Jose Elementary School in Guadalupe Nuevo.
The VCM at their precinct also malfunctioned at 7:20 a.m., delaying voting for almost three hours.
The couple casted their votes before noon.
Mayor Binay is seeking reelection but her brother is her contender in the mayoral race, causing conflict and divisiveness in the Binay family and their supporters.
Photo credits: Fernando. Sepe, Jr., ABS-CBN News
