Virgilio Lorenzo Jr

Isabela vice mayoral bet files counter-affidavit on cyber libel complaint

Article (news)

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) – Reina Mercedes, Isabela vice mayoral candidate Atty. Harold Respicio filed Thursday a counter-affidavit at the Manila City Prosecutor&#x27;s Office on the cyber libel case filed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).Respicio went to the Manila City Prosecutor&#x27;s Office for the filing. Poll body spokesperson Atty. Rex Laudiangco was also present.The complaint stemmed from a video Respicio posted on social media in January, allegedly demonstrating how to hack the automated counting machines (ACMs) for the 2025 midterm elections.In the 45-page counter-affidavit, Respicio argued that &quot;the charges seem to be veiled attempts at regulating free speech in the guise of a criminal complaint.&quot;The lawyer stood by his comments which he says were a &quot;constructive suggestion&quot; to Comelec to beef up its internal rules on election security.He stressed he had no malice in his remarks and sought to improve election integrity.&quot;Nanindigan pa rin ako ngayon Chairman George Garcia na kailangan niyo parin baguhin ang inyong rules para sabihin doon explicitly na huwag i-connect ang counting machines natin sa internet bago magtransmit ng results sa Comelec servers dahil pag connected ito sa internet pwede ma-hack,&quot; he said after the filing.&quot;Bakit niya ako gusto ipakulong? Bakit niya ako gustong patahimikin?&quot; Respicio asked.The lawyer was referring to Comelec Resolution No. 11076 or 2025 National, Local and Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections General Instructions for Voting, Counting and Transmission of Results, promulgated on October 30,2024.Respicio likewise argued that public discourse in the election is not a crime and no actual damage or public disorder resulted from his statements.The lawyer&#x27;s camp seeks the dismissal of the Comelec&#x27;s complaint for &quot;lack of reasonable certainty of conviction.&quot;&quot;Kung wala kayong ginagawang masama Comelec, walang mawawala sa taong bayan, walang mawawala sa Comelec, walang mawawala sa demokrasya natin kung maglagay ka lang ng napakasimpleng direktiba doon sa inyong ACM (automated counting machines) rules,&quot; Respicio reiterated.&quot;Confident kami na sa process na ito, mga process na yan ay maipagtatanggol natin nang maigi kung ano ang tama. At sa bandang huli, naniniwala ako na ang katotohanan ang magwawagi,&quot; he said.Laudiangco told ABS-CBN News that the Comelec stands by its complaint and stressed that the claims of Respicio are “baseless.”Last month, Comelec Chairman George Garcia personally filed the cyber libel complaint signed by Laudiangco.Respicio posted a video on social media in January, allegedly demonstrating how to hack the ACMs for the 2025 midterm elections.Comelec earlier assured the public the machines and its system to be used for the midterm polls are secure against hacking and the votes recorded can be checked against the ballots.Garcia said the poll body filed the complaint against Respicio to show the public it is determined to fight &quot;fake news&quot; an disinformation related to the elections.Respicio will also be facing a disqualification case, a disbarment case, and a complaint at the Professional Regulation Commission for revocation of his certified public accountant license.&quot;Handa tayo lahat pati disbarment sa Supreme Court, pati pagtanggal ng CPA license sa PRC, pati pag-disqualify bilang vice mayor ng Reina Mercedes, Isabela kasi kasama ko pinakamagaling na abogado,&quot; he said.If found guilty, cyber libel carries a penalty of up to 12 years imprisonment; while the penalty for the election offense is up to six years or disqualification.

Vice mayoral candidate Atty. Harold Respicio personally went to the Manila City Prosecutor's Office for the filing.

Vice mayoral candidate Atty. Harold Respicio personally went to the Manila City Prosecutor's Office for the filing.