Philippines Embroiled in Bitter Election
ASIEH NAMDAR, CNN ANCHOR: The Philippines are another country in the midst of political problems. Ousted President Joseph Estrada accepted a government plan this week to detain him in a hospital complex. And while former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo helped unseat Estrada in January, she is now trying to win his supporters. One dilemma facing her is whether to grant Estrada certain amenities and privileges, but that could alienate supporters who backed her in ousting the ex-president. Mrs. Arroyo's party continues to lead in the vote count of the May 14th congressional elections, elections that are carrying a heavy price tag, both politically and financially. ABS-CBN Manila has more.</s>MELISSA LOPEZ, ABS-CBN REPORTER (voice-over): In democratic countries, the ballot box is a symbol of political freedom. Yet, in other countries, it might as well serve as a political weapon. In the Philippines, ballot boxes are made out of iron sheets, weighing five kilos. The box is divided in two compartments. The white one is for valid ballots; the red for spoiled ballots. At the close of election day, each ballot box is sealed with a self-locking metal tape, and as a further safeguard against fraud, the security tape is labeled with a serial number. It is the same serial number that is embossed on the side of each ballot box. The Philippines Commission on Elections reasons these precautions are meant only to guard the ballot against extreme weather conditions. Others, though, think it is a reflection of the character of Philippines elections.</s>PIO JOSON, ELECTION COMMISSION (through translator): The commission cannot adopt America's use of simple cardboard boxes for election use. We Filipinos lack the political maturity to do this. Election, for us, is even a very big spectacle.</s>LOPEZ: Every year, the Philippines government spends millions of dollars on ballot boxes. For this year's elections, ballot boxes alone cost the commission on elections $5 million. And that does not even count in the padlocks worth, almost $1 million. But while electoral safeguards cost millions, this does not guarantee clean elections. Boxing up the will of the electorate has always been a tough task in the Philippines. But no matter how expensive and dangerous each election may be, Filipinos do not only voice their vote, but at the same time safeguard it. This is Melissa Lopez, ABS-CBN Manila, for the CNN WORLD REPORT.