Comelec questions systems breach report; says validation underway

FILE PHOTO: Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez. INQUIRER.net/Ryan Leagogo

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday questioned the accuracy of a report claiming that the poll body’s systems have been hacked and compromised.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a statement sent to members of the media that the report “offers scant substantiation for its assertions.”

But he also said, “The Comelec is presently validating the allegations of the article published by the Manila Bulletin, specifically whether Comelec systems have, in fact, been compromised.”

Earlier on Monday, the Manila Bulletin reported that hackers were allegedly able to breach the servers of Comelec and purportedly stole files including usernames and PINS of vote-counting machines (VCM).

Jimenez, however, said those information does not exist yet in Comelec’s systems because the said files have not been completed yet.

“This calls into question the veracity of the hacking claim,” he said.

“As for the rest of the allegations made, please note that the article offers scant substantiation for its assertions despite claiming that the authors had ‘verified that there was an ongoing hack,’ he added.

The Comelec official likewise noted that the Manila Bulletin report did not even list proof of such verification.

Jimenez then assured the public of its “full and scrupulous compliance with the Data Privacy Act, as well as its continuing cooperation with the National Privacy Commission.”

Jimenez also extended his invitation to the authors of the said article to shed light on the allegations.

“Considering that ‘news’ like this could potentially damage the credibility of the elections, the Comelec stands ready to pursue all available remedies against those who, either deliberately or otherwise, undermine the integrity of the electoral process,” he warned.