Murphy's Law says if anything can go wrong, it will. That seems to be Poll Automation's circumstances now. But there is also one other possibility -
what if Poll Automation was bound to fail, in the first place?
Maybe, we should simulate these possible failture scenarios and think through what should be done for Poll Automation not to go kaput.
Scenario: What if, indeed, powerful people can and will make Poll Automation fail? Who, why and from what ascendancy can these people subvert the will of the people?
Perhaps, we should define "powerful" first. Relative to the 2010 elections, relative power could only be derived from that person's position in the current ruling administration or party as it is rather inconceivable to describe the opposition as powerful nor wanting poll automation to fail. Then, we should speculate as to why would these powerful people want to make poll automation fail. These are speculations and it is prayed that the real scenario is not the same. But, what if? How could this possible failure happen?
If I were that "powerful" person, I would scrutinize the prequalification documents of TIM-Smartmatec as the senate has already done.
Has the senate done well in its scrutiny or were they more engrossed about asking questions as to how poll automation could affect their baluartes (political strongholds)? I hear one northern senator displaying his understanding of southern Philippine's potential logistical problems. Has anybody concentrated on scrutinizing the prequalification of TIM-Smartmatec and what possible flaks can "powerful" people use to monkey wrench poll automation? For example,
1. has TIM-Smartmatec organized properly and are they financially capable? I hear the COMELEC representative saying that qualification is not an issue. How is that ever not an issue? The last question is asked on the basis of preempting any possible monkey wrenching.
2. Is the 60-40 sharing in favor of the Philippine partner appropriate despite it being the law, under the circumstances and specially so that it is technical expertise to be provided by Smartmatec that is crucial here. Perhaps this is one concrete example where we should point out why Filipino partner majority ownerhship is inappropriate. If I were Smartmatec, I would tell TIM are you kidding me, during the organization phase unless there is a nominee agreement that returns the 20% to Smartmatec.
3. Is the organization and prequalification above board so that no amount of monkey wrenching can foil poll automation? Is the opposition over eager in implementing poll automation that they themselves have not looked into possible failure scenarios?
In one day, we will know...
Meantime, what if this happens tomorrow: TIM and Smartmatec ironed out their disagreements and COMELEC is just too happy. Is COMELEC the final decision maker on this or do they have to run upstairs outside of COMELEC for final approval and funding?
If COMELEC has to, this is where the monkey wrenching could happen. What if despite everything ironed out at the COMELEC level, TIM-Smartmatec's contract is still assailed on prequalification aspects and shelving poll automation could still be successfully assailed from above possible arguments?
Has the opposition and everybody else been too eager beaver in saying hallelujah to poll automation without assuring that no possible monkey wrenching could derail it?
What if, indeed, a single "powerful" person or bloc or party can thumb it down?
If that happens, the people should again have moral ascendancy to quickly attain critical mass (already started by the ConAss issue) to launch people power.
We are a democracy, not a monarchy. No powerful people should be allowed to derail poll automation.
If people power has to happen again and a powerful monkey wrencher is identified, perhaps it is now time to create an example - send this monkey wrencher to the guillotine rather than just unevenful lethal injection.