Comelec rejects Eleksyon 2025 source code mismatch claims
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Sunday firmly dismissed allegations from a local candidate about a supposed source code mismatch in the automated counting machines (ACMs) for Eleksyon 2025. The poll body labeled these claims as “fake news.”
Although Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia did not name the candidate, lawyer Jeryll Harold Respicio, who is running for vice mayor in Reina Mercedes, Isabela, posted a video on social media. In it, he claimed there were discrepancies between the hash codes in the audit reports on the Comelec website and the versions used in the ACMs.
Understanding the alleged source code mismatch
Respicio said, “Nakakabahala po. Kaka-check ko lang ang kaka-upload ng Comelec audit report na source code review, hinanap ko po dun ang hash code na naka-install na software sa ACMs noong final testing and sealing day pero sa audit report nila hanggang sa 3.4 version. Ang naka-install sa ACMs ay 3.5 version kaya ang hash code na nasa machine ay 0438. Ang 0438 na hashcode ay wala sa mga hash codes na nakalabas sa audit report.”
He explained that the ACMs were running software version 3.5 with a hash code “0438,” which was not listed in the audit report that only showed up to version 3.4. “Ibig sabihin ang nakainstall sa ACMs na version 3.5 na may hash code na 0438 ay ‘di kasama sa na-audit ng technical evaluation committee ng Comelec,” he added.
Comelec clarifies the source code issue
However, Garcia clarified that the hash code Respicio pointed out was from the final trusted build and not from the local source code review (LSCR) phase. “’Yung kumakandidato na yun ang original na nagsabi na nakakabit sa internet ang aming makina ay nagsasabi na mali ang hash code, hindi niya po nakita. Ang nakita niyang sinasabi na hash code, ‘yun ang nandun noong trusted build,” he said.
He emphasized, “’Yung final na nasa local source code review, yun ang hash code and in fact, yan ang pinakita natin nung dinebunk ang fake news na yan.” According to Garcia, the hash code used during the LSCR is the official one, and this was already presented to counter earlier false claims.
Reactions and reminders on Eleksyon 2025 source code mismatch
Election watchdog Kontra Daya expressed concern about Respicio’s allegations, saying these raise “significant concerns about the integrity of the elections.” Meanwhile, Comelec assured the public that there is no cause for alarm.
“Walang dapat ikabahala ang ating mga kababayan bukas dahil ang gamit na sistema ng ACM ay dumaan sa tamang proseso ng review, trusted build, at audit ng iba’t-ibang eksperto at mga organisasyon sa larangan ng Information Technology,” Garcia stated.
He also warned, “Pinaaalalahanan ang lahat na ang pagpapakalat ng false, alarming information ay isang Election Offense sa ilalim ng Section 261(z)(11) ng Omnibus Election Code.”
The Comelec continues to assure voters that the automated system for Eleksyon 2025 remains secure and reliable despite these claims.