Comelec hit for alleged lack of automated poll system certification

COMELEC printing machines (INQUIRER photo / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA)

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Risa Hontiveros wants the joint congressional oversight committee on the automated election system (AES) to investigate reports that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reportedly failed to obtain a certification on the security and accuracy of the AES for the midterm polls.

In a statement on Tuesday, the opposition senator emphasized the need for the Senate and the House of Representatives to take immediate action on the matter, noting the upcoming elections in May.

“[Dapat] siguraduhin na nasusunod ang lahat ng mekanismo sa batas para sa malinis at maayos na automated elections,” Hontiveros said.

(We need to ensure that the mechanisms of our law are clean and organized.)

“Itong mga napapabalitang isyu ay dapat malinaw na, para walang pangamba o duda ang taumbayan pagdating ng Mayo 12,” she noted.

(These circulating issues should be cleared to dispel the fears and worries of the public for the May 12 elections.)

The senator cited Republic Act No. 8436 as amended by Republic Act No. 9366, otherwise known as the Election Automation Law.

She said the poll body should have secured the certification no later than three months before the date of the electoral exercises.

“This means that Pro V & V Inc., the international certification entity contracted by Comelec, should have already issued a certification on or before February 12, 2025,” Hontiveros said.

“Dapat matanong natin ang Comelec sa pamamagitan ng joint congressional oversight committee, kung nasaan na ang certification na ‘yan na nagpapatunay na maayos ang ating automated election system,” she stressed.

(We need to ask the Comelec through the joint congressional oversight committee where the certification is, proving that our AES is fine.)

“At kung wala pa ang certification, dapat maipaliwanag nila sa taumbayan kung bakit hindi pa ito nailalabas, sa kabila ng malinaw na deadline sa ilalim ng batas,” she added.

(And if they cannot present a certification, they should be able to explain why, when it is clearly written in our laws that they should have obtained one by now.)

If the Comelec decides to proceed to use the AES without certification, Hontiveros said the poll body must submit its formal written explanation to the oversight committee in accordance with the law.

Apart from this, Hontiveros is likewise urging the joint panel to look into the claims made by Isabela vice-mayoral candidate Jeryll Respicio about the alleged vulnerability of automated counting machines.