COMELEC Commissioner Rowena Guanzon (left) and Smartmatic Project Manager Marlon Garcia (right).
Smartmatic’s Project Manager Marlon Garcia asserted that the correction he made to the script or program of the transparency server will not in any way affect the results that will be generated.
Garcia pointed out that the adjustment was only to reflect the character ñ on the names of some candidates instead of a question mark.
“Nothing was altered. There was no change in time stamps. There was no change in the amount of votes. There was no change in anything else. Only replacing the question mark for the ñ,” Garcia explained.
However COMELEC Commissioner Rowena Guanzon emphasized that Smartmatic still breached protocol even if the changes that was made will not alter the results.
Guanzon will ask the en banc that a formal investigation be conducted.
“Smartmatic should have informed the Commission en Banc what is the problem, what are the consequences, and gave us recommendation on how to fix it. They should have not touched that program without our prior knowledge and our official consent,” Guanzon stated.
“This automated elections is property of the Commission on Elections and we are accountable to the people. We are accountable to Congress. It’s not their property,” she added
But Smartmatic’s understanding is that, they would only seek the en banc’s permission if major changes were to be done.
Also the process provides that for the system to be accessed two passwords are required.
One password is with Smartmatic and the other one is with a COMELEC employee.
“There was COMELEC authority to access the systems, yes, because we need to have both passwords,” Garcia clarified.
With this, Guanzon also wants their own personnel investigated.
“I would like to know what they said to the COMELEC employees such that she or he gave the password. I am still saying that this is unauthorized,” Guanzon emphasized.
But for former COMELEC Chairman Sixto Brillantes, the matter is not a big issue since the real canvassing for the presidential and vice presidential positions will be done in Congress and not thru the transparency server which is the source of the unofficial count.
“Investigate Smartmatic. That’s your partner in the entire system. You’re practically putting a cloud of doubt on the very system of elections if you’re going to sue or investigate your own partner,” Brillantes remarked.
Guanzon said the commission will still determine what penalty it will impose to Smartmatic because of the incident and one of which is the possibility of disqualifying the company in entering future contracts with the poll body.
(VICTOR COSARE/UNTV News)
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