NextGen Day

Two presidential candidates have requested that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) allow an independent third party to investigate the alleged internet attack on the system.

Senators Manny Pacquiao and Panfilo Lacson said in separate statements Tuesday that the poll body should consider an audit into the extent of the suspected hacking.

“The Comelec should clarify the hacking incident’s veracity and be open about its conclusions. More importantly, it should be willing to let specialists and other stakeholders, such as our cybersecurity experts and those of other hopefuls, assist in strengthening the security system. We can only ensure the integrity of the future elections via transparency and accountability “Lacson explained.

Pacquiao went on to say that the Comelec should allow political parties to conduct their own probe while the legislature uses its oversight powers to look into the matter.

“In the case of Republic Act 8436, also known as the Automated Election Law, Congress should use its oversight powers. This is not the first time the Comelec has been hacked, and it demonstrates the poll body’s computer system has major security weaknesses “added Pacquiao.

“Ito kailangang magpaliwanag ang Comelec kung ano ang totoong pangyayari at kung ano ang epekto nito sa darating na halalan. Kailangan nating malaman kung may nakahandang plano ang Comelec kung sakaling nakompromiso ang ating automated polling system (This should not be overlooked, and its implications for the future elections should be revealed.) We also need to find out if Comelec has a backup plan) “Added he.

The NBI detained 20-year-old Paul Loui Biteng and 23-year-old Joenel de Asis for hacking the poll body’s website prior to the 2016 elections.

Biteng was found not guilty of criminal culpability by a Manila Regional Trial Court in 2020 because “there is no direct evidence definitively tying him as the perpetrator for the offenses charged.”

Despite the limited access, Lacson said his party’s Comelec-accredited cybersecurity team is presently conducting its own inquiry.

“To demonstrate the motive and who will benefit from the alleged hacking, finding out who was/were guilty is already material knowledge. Meanwhile, we must await the response of the author(s), who have stated that they will provide proof to back up their hacking claims “Added he.

In a statement made late Monday, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the hacking information isn’t currently in their systems “simply because the configuration files, which include usernames and PINs (personal identification numbers), haven’t yet been finalized.”

He added the polling organization is examining the report’s authenticity, which was published in a daily broadsheet.

“Because ‘news’ like this could jeopardize the election’s credibility,” Jimenez added, “the Comelec remains ready to seek all legal remedies against individuals who, either intentionally or otherwise, undermine the electoral process’s integrity.”

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) can help Comelec, according to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra.

“We’ll let the Comelec conduct its internal investigation.” We’d be happy to help if a larger inquiry is determined to be necessary and NBI assistance would be beneficial,” Guevarra told reporters via text message.

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