BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Former Information and Communications Technology secretary and senatorial aspirant Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan yesterday expressed his concern over the alleged security breach in the operations of Smartmatic Inc.
Smartmatic is the provider of elections software for the May 9 polls.
Honasan, who used to be the chairperson of Comelec Advisory Council on Automated Elections while he was the DICT secretary, said that even a split-second delay in the transmission of votes from polling precinct to municipal or city – provincial- regional to national, “that is a window for intervention.”
“Pagalingan ito ng hacking” Honasan said.
Senator Imee Marcos, chairperson of the Senate committee on electoral reforms, who claimed of a security breach in the Smartmatic operation, said this may affect the results of the May 9 elections.
Sen. Marcos is the sister of presidential aspirant Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who is consistently leading presidential surveys, said she fears this could affect election results.
Honasan, who attended yesterday the founding anniversary celebration of Philippine Guardians Brotherhood Inc. (PGBI) held in Bacolod City, said it will be Congress who will decide “if we will continue to go on automated or manual.”
He said they have already made their recommendation already. “It is up for the Comelec to consider our recommendation, so that Congress can decide already,” Honasan added.
“Kailangan pabilisan, every time there is a gap, and delay,” he stressed.
Smartmatic clarified that no such breach happened.
Smartmatic spokesman Christopher Louie Ocampo told reporters. “Ang Smartmatic po, to be very clear, ay hindi po involved sa [is not involved in] processing or storing of personal data of any voter for the 2022 elections.”
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez also expressed confidence that the 2022 election systems have not been compromised.*
