Old man dies of heart attack after voting

San Pascual, Batangas – After casting his vote, Luis Manalo, 76 was walking out of the polling center in Brgy. Gelerang Kawayan, this town, when he collapsed on the floor and died.

   According to Senior Superintendent Rosauro Acio, Batangas Police Provincial Director, Manalo died of a heart attack.

   “But he was able to cast his vote. His last vote,” Acio said.  He said senior citizens and the disabled should be given priority in the voting process.  

    In many precints, the Boards of Election Inspectors  have already instructed the poll volunteers and watchers to prioritize the senior citizens and bring them up on the start of the queue to vote. 

   Unfortunately, not all voting precints comply with this Comelec rule.  Yesterday's hot and humid weather, coupled with the long lines and crowd at the polling centers made the waiting to the voting area a very unpleasant experience and a lot

worse for the senior citizens.

PCOS malfunctions, brownouts

   In his report, Acio also said that there were 14 precinct count optical scan machines that malfunctioned in 14 towns in Batangas, including Sto. Tomas, Lemery, San Pascual, San Nicolas, Mabini, Laurel, Batangas City, Padre Garcia, San Juan and San Jose.

   After an hour, Acio said the poll workers resumed the voting in the areas when the back up PCOS machines were provided.  

   

  He said there was always a back up PCCOS machine to replace the malfunctioning ones.

   Acio also reported that there was power outage in Talisay, Tanuan, Malvar and three barangays in Lipa City.

   The power interruption  took place at 9 a.m. but was later restored an hour later, Acio said. (SLI)