06/04/2025
QUESTIONS COMELEC MUST ANSWER
By Rob Rances
1. Why were sensitive election devices—such as Starlink units, Wi-Fi transmitters, and solar panels—stored in a private residence instead of a secured, official government facility? Doesn’t this violate standard protocols for handling critical electoral infrastructure?
2. If the equipment was properly tracked and monitored, why was there no visible security or public disclosure until a private citizen flagged the situation? What does this say about COMELEC’s oversight and transparency?
3. Isn’t it true that satellite-based technology like Starlink allows two-way communication, potentially exposing the system to remote manipulation if not air-gapped or firewalled? Without independent, third-party verification, can the public trust that these systems won’t be exploited?
4. If deployment was scheduled for a later date, why was this equipment already left unattended in a residential area—and only addressed after the issue went viral?
5. Given public skepticism around electoral integrity, why was such a critical project outsourced to a private contractor without any mention of third-party audits or public vetting? Where are the safeguards?
BOTTOM LINE: WHY IT MATTERS
Public trust in the electoral process is fragile.
Election-related hardware must be handled with maximum transparency and non-negotiable security protocols.
Storing these materials in private residences, with vague accountability and delayed action, fuels legitimate concern about possible tampering, sabotage, or fraud.
ACTIONS WE MUST DEMAND FROM COMELEC
1. Immediate audit of all staging hubs and contract compliance by iOne JV.
2. Third-party inspection of all election-related equipment.
3. Clear publication of deployment schedules and locations.
4. Independent public oversight on transmission tech and encryption protocols used for May 2025 midterms.
Photos: ctto
