Comelec Chairman George Garcia said only select IT personnel of the commission could access the data server room at the Ayala Circuit Corporate One Building in Makati City.  

“Iba ang klase ng security measure dito. Kahit ang chairman ng Comelec ay hindi otorisado na mag-access dito sa server. At napakadami nila ng layers of security,” Garcia said.

“Naniniwala tayo na protected at secure ang mga data ng ipinapadala dito,” he added. 

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He said the Comelec would tighten the security protocol in and outside the building as election day approaches.

Garcia said military and police personnel would be deployed to secure the area.

“Meron ditong mga miyembro ng Armed Forces at PNP at walang basta-basta makapapasok sa building na ito nang hindi sila nakarecord sa Comelec, lalo na dun sa mga lugar kung nasaan yung floors kung nasaan yung ating mga servers,” the official said.

Comelec invited reporters and poll watchdogs for a walkthrough of the data center on Friday.

Garcia said the Comelec would use the latest technology for faster transmission of election results (ER) in the May polls.

In far-flung areas that have poor telecommunication signals, Garcia said the commission would use satellite signal to transmit ERs.

“Sana huwag ipagtaka lang ng ating mga kababayan na sadyang mabilis ang transmission sapagkat gagamit po ang Comelec ng 5G technology - hindi na po yung dating 2G o 3G technology at naka-Starlink tayo sa ibang mga lugar na talagang walang signal yung ating mga telco,” Garcia said.

Garcia said it would take only about 4.5 minutes to print ERs, while the transmission would need only 3 to 4 seconds.  

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