MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday filed a cyber libel complaint before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office against a vice-mayoral bet in Isabela province over a video allegedly showing how automated counting machines can be hacked.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia personally filed the complaint signed by the commission’s spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco.

Named respondent in the case is Jeryll Harold Respicio, a lawyer who is running for vice mayor of Reina Mercedes town.

Garcia said Respicio posted a video on social media on January 25 allegedly demonstrating how to hack the automated counting machines to be used in the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE).

“Meron siyang mga video na sinasabi niya na kaya daw niyang manipulahin ang ating mga vote-counting machines, meron daw mga backroom program na kayang gawan ng paraan ang eleksyon,” Garcia told media.

(He has videos where he claims he can manipulate the vote-counting machines. He says there are backroom programs that can fix the elections)

The commission assured the public that its system and the machines for the midterm polls are secure against hacking and that votes recorded can be checked against the actual ballot.

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'DANGEROUS CLAIMS'

Garcia said Respicio made dangerous claims in the video.

“Sapagkat isipin ninyo — ngayon pa lang, kinukundisyon ang isip ng sambayanan na pupuwedeng gawan ng paraan ang halalan,” he said.

(Imagine, as early as now, he is conditioning minds that the elections can be fixed)

Garcia clarified that the commission is not ‘onion skinned’, and its decision to file a complaint against Respicio is to show the public that it is determined to fight “fake news” and disinformation related to the elections.

Press freedom and freedom of expression advocates have long called for the decriminalization of libel and cyber libel for being outdated, cruel, and for its potential use to silence criticism and dissent.

“Gusto nating sabihin sa lahat na sana mag-iingat tayo sa ating nilalagay sa ating social media — once you click, permanent na po ‘yan,” Garcia said.

(We want to tell everyone to be careful about what they post online — once you click ‘post’, that’s permanent)

Comelec spokesperson Laudiangco, who heads the commission task force monitoring media and social media, said the unit will also file a disqualification case against Respicio at the Comelec’s Law Department.

Respicio will also be facing a disbarment case as well as a complaint at the Professional Regulation Commission for the revocation of his license as a certified public accountant.

Garcia said that the commission wants to send the message that claims casting doubt on the elections will not be taken lightly.

“Hindi po ang Comelec ang tinitira niya dito, kundi ang buong proseso ng ating halalan,” Garcia said, adding Respicio had violated the Omnibus Election Code. 

(He is not damaging the Comelec here but the electoral process)

If found guilty, Garcia said, respondent Respicio could face up to 12 years in prison for cyber libel and up to six years or disqualification as a candidate for the election offense.

Comelec previously disqualified former Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice over a complaint filed against him for alleging irregularities in the commission's deal with tech provider Miru Systems for the machines that will be used in the May polls.

The Supreme Court in January issued a temporary restraining order on the disqualification of Erice and of several other petitioners.

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