Marcos asks Comelec to clarify reports on alleged irregularities in quick count

(Photo: Bongbong Marcos/Facebook)

MANILA—The camp of vice presidential candidate Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to clarify reports about a computer script allegedly introduced on the evening of May 9, 2016 into the transparency server where election watchdogs are getting data for their quick count.

Atty. Francesca Huang, a member of the Legal team of Marcos, revealed that they received information from an accredited observer of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) who was present when this was done.

But, she declined to name the informant but said the source has a background in IT (information technology). This enabled the informant to recognize the introduction of a new computer script.

“The introduction of this new script is suspect because it was after this time that Senator Marcos’ lead from Representative Robredo started to erode at a rather distinctive pattern,” Huang said in a statement.

She noted that according to the quick count results, the substantial lead of Marcos began to erode around 9:00 p.m. of May 9 and Rep. Leni Robredo started to lead around 3:30 a.m. of May 10.

With this, Huang noted they are also conducting their own investigation to find out the exact effect of the script, if any, on the votes of the Vice Presidential candidates, as well as candidates for the other positions.

“Did Comelec know about the introduction of this new script? How does the script affect the data and data reception of the transparency server? The public deserves to find out,” Huang said.

“We would like Comelec to provide us with some more information and clarification on these matters because of course we would not like to make any unfounded accusations or allegations on the same,” she added.

Huang said they have sent a letter on Wednesday to Comelec Chairman Juan Andres Bautista regarding the matter.