Robredo, Pangilinan express alarm over reported Comelec data breach

Opposition standard bearer and Vice President Leni Robredo and her running mate Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan have expressed alarm over the alleged hacking of Commission on Elections (Comelec) data.

The tandem was referring to the Manila Bulletin report claiming that upon its verification, Comelec data — network diagrams, IP addresses, list of all privileged users, domain admin credentials, among others — were hacked.

"We are alarmed by the news of an alleged hacking of COMELEC servers. We ask COMELEC to immediately confirm if it happened and the extent of the compromise involved," Robredo and Pangilinan said in a statement.

The two said the welfare of the people, more than the candidates, is paramount.

"This election is for their future and they should not have any doubt about the process and its result," the said.

"We ask the Commission to immediately take steps to ensure that this, or any other similar incident would not affect the integrity of the May 2022 elections."

In a separate briefing, Robredo said the poll body should investigate the alleged leak urgently to prevent peddlers of fake news from planting doubt on the electoral process.

"The Comelec should have an explanation about this and should take steps to ensure integrity of elections. The will of the people is at stake, and it should not be compromised," she said.

Otherwise, Robredo said, there would be quarters who would resort to mind-setting tactics and link the alleged leak to candidates.

"Comelec has to do an honest to goodness investigation, and this is very urgent. Otherwise, there will be mind-setting efforts that aim to make people believe things which are not factual," Robredo said.

Comelec earlier said it is validating the reported hacking of its data and has asked the authors of the report to shed light on their findings. 

"Considering that 'news' like this could potentially damage the credibility of the elections, the Comelec stands ready to pursue all available remedies against those who, either deliberately or otherwise, undermine the integrity of the electoral process," said Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez on Monday. —KBK, GMA News