The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila has successfully auctioned off more than 81,000 non-functional Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines, fetching a sum exceeding PHP12 million. The decision to sell was formalized in a resolution released on Friday, following a recommendation from the Comelec’s Disposal Committee. The winning bid, amounting to PHP12.264 million, was placed by Microsphere System Technology for the 81,776 units of PCOS machines.
Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia highlighted that Microsphere System Technology offered the highest bid at PHP12.26 million. Out of the 20 companies that purchased auction documents, eight submitted bids, though one was disqualified.
In addition to the PCOS machines, Comelec approved the sale of PCOS/VCM plastic bins with covers, yellow metal ballot boxes, and plastic pallets to RHT Storage Center for PHP202,800. The resolution, detailed in CDC Resolution No. 03-2024, covers the disposal of these items located at various sites including the SMED Building (PhilPost) in Port Area, Manila, a warehouse in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, and the Office of the Election Officer in Las Piñas City.
Both successful bidders have 30 days to remove their purchased items from these locations upon receiving the Notice of Award. The Comelec en banc has also empowered the Office of the Executive Director to issue the Notice of Award and Clearance to Proceed for the disposal.
The PCOS machines, which were last utilized during the 2013 midterm elections, were initially deployed in the 2010 presidential elections to automate voting processes as mandated by Republic Act 9369, the Poll Automation Law. These machines were later replaced by vote counting machines (VCMs) introduced in the 2016 elections.