1986 Comelec walkout
On February 9, 1986, a group of computer technicians walked out from their jobs at the tabulation center of the presidential election called by President Ferdinand Marcos, claiming they observed anomalies in the election results being reported to the public.[1] This incident precipitated the People Power Revolution 13 days later, resulting in the end of Marcos's rule.
Background[edit]
On November 3, 1985, Philippine President Marcos announced a snap election for President and Vice-President to be held on Friday February 7, 1986.[2][3]
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) contracted the National Computer Center (NCC), a bureau under the Office of the President, to automate the tabulation of votes. NCC developed the hybrid but mostly manual computer system, recruited and trained additional staff, and set up the election operations center at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). As the votes were being processed the computer technicians noticed discrepancies between their reports and the figures for the media and public posted on the large tally board at PICC.[4][5]
The walkout[edit]
In protest, 35 technicians composed of 30 women and 5 men, walked out of the processing centre at 10:30pm on Sunday February 9, two days after election day. They first sought refuge in Baclaran Church about 5 kilometers away from PICC where they gave their only press conference before they went into hiding. Two women from among the 35 technicians spoke for the group. They were later identified as Juls Valderrama and Linda Kapunan.[6]
In their public statement released to the press days after, the group emphasised that their walkout was non-partisan and a mere declaration of their integrity and responsibility to the general public who deserve to know the truth.[7]
After the walkout[edit]
In fear for their safety, the group went into hiding firstly in the homes of two of the women, then to the Cenacle Retreat House in Quezon City. There, the nuns offered housing and spiritual guidance, while the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM) provided physical security.
On February 22, 1986, Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and General Fidel Ramos announced their break-away from the Marcos government, leading to the four-day People Power Revolution which ended the Marcos rule and brought Cory Aquino to power.[8] By then the 35 men and women who walked out of the COMELEC tabulation center 16 days earlier no longer had to hide. They were able to return to their homes and resume normal lives.[9]
References[edit]
- ^ "Vote Tabulators Quit, Cite Fraud : 30 Filipinos at Government Center Rebel". Los Angeles Times. 1986-02-10. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
- ^ "MARCOS DECLARES HE'LL CALL A VOTE EARLY NEXT YEAR (Published 1985)". 1985-11-04. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
- ^ "The Events Surrounding the 1986 Snap Elections". Human Rights Violations Victims' Memorial Commission. 2021-02-12. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ Branigin, William; Burgess, John (1986-02-10). "Fraud Charges Multiply in Philippines". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
- ^ McManus, Doyle (1986-02-10). "Vote Tabulators Quit, Cite Fraud : 30 Filipinos at Government Center Rebel". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
- ^ "Collection: WHORM Subject Files; Folder Title:CO 125 (Philippines); 394279–395299; Box: 152" (PDF). Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ Go, Miriam Grace (2013-02-25). "1986 Comelec walkout not about Cory or Marcos". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
- ^ Nemenzo, Gemma (2016-02-24). "30 Years Ago: Coup d'etat and People Power". Positively Filipino | Online Magazine for Filipinos in the Diaspora. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
- ^ "Justice of no color: Exploring the truth behind the Comelec 35". The LaSallian. 2022-09-20. Retrieved 2023-08-08.