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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Comelec to conduct several measures amid alleged Smartmatic data breach

Comelec to conduct several measures amid alleged Smartmatic data breach

Published Mar 24, 2022 11:27 am

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc has resolved to carry out several measures in connection to the alleged security breach involving Smartmatic.

Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan (Photo Comelec FB)

In a statement of Comelec chairman Saidamen Pangarungan on Thursday, March 24, the Comelec en banc has resolved to execute the following measures:

  • Direct the Executive Director of the Comelec to immediately coordinate with the National Bureau Investigation (NBI) and secure a copy of the NBI report once available.
  • Direct the Executive Director to demand from Smartmatic a submission of their internal investigation report
  • Direct the Law Department of the Comelec to conduct a review of the contract with Smartmatic and to advise the courses of action to be taken by the Commission as may be provided by law and jurisprudence.
  • Direct the Deputy Executive Director for Operations and the Information Technology Department to give a detailed plan to prevent occurrence of a similar or related issue.

"In line with this, serious allegations of violations and indiscretion of Comelec providers will be stringently addressed by this Commission," Pangarungan said.

"Although we maintain that the Comelec has not fallen victim to any attacks that will amount to a security breach, we will not take these allegations sitting down," he added.

He reiterated that the said measures are just a few of the measures that the Comelec has been instituting in performing their mandate in protecting the sanctity of the vote, since his appointment.

He mentioned that the public can expect that the Comelec will continue to provide more safeguards and policies that will uphold the country's democratic exercise.

Senator Imee Marcos, chairperson of the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee (JCOC) on the Automated Election System after an executive session with Comelec officials, Smartmatic, the NBI, and the Department of Information and Technology (DICT). said that the media “was right” in its report of the alleged hacking.

Commissioner George Irwin Garcia said that the poll body was never hacked.

Related Tags

comelec commissioner george garcia comelec chairman saidamen pangarungan 2022 elections 2022 presidential elections 2022 polls Comelec 2022 national and local polls Commission on Elections (Comelec) 2022 NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS Commission on Elections
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