Comelec servers were not hacked, says Guanzon

Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon on Wednesday denied a news report on the alleged hacking of the poll body’s servers.

“FAKE NEWS: Comelec server was hacked, not true. Manila Bulletin editor must verify,” Guanzon said in a Twitter post.

FAKE NEWS : @COMELEC server was hacked, not true. Manila Bulletin editor must verify.

— Rowena Guanzon (@rowena_guanzon) January 12, 2022

The Manila Bulletin on Monday reported that hackers were allegedly able to breach the Comelec’s servers and were able to download sensitive files including usernames and personal identification numbers (PIN) of vote-counting machines, which Guanzon disputed.

“How can they hack our servers when we don’t have PINs yet?  ITD [Information and Technology Department] Director told me we don’t have PINs yet,” Guanzon pointed out.

Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez previously said the poll body will come up with a final report this week on the matter.

Jimenez, who stressed that the news report would cast doubt on the integrity of the upcoming elections, warned that someone would need to be held accountable should the report come out as false.

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