DICT chief to probe Comelec hack allegations

The chief of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said the agency will launch its own investigation on the reported hacking of the poll body's servers.

DICT to conduct own investigation on Comelec 'hacking'

DICT to investigate alleged Comelec hacking

In a statement, DICT Acting Secretary Emmanuel Rey R. Caintic mandated the Cybersecurity Bureau to look into the controversial hacking incident, involving the system of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

An exclusive report of Manila Bulletin issued earlier this week, January 10, claimed that a group of cybercriminals "was allegedly able to breach the servers of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), downloading more than 60 gigabytes of data that could possibly affect the May 2022 elections."

Manila Bulletin: Comelec servers hacked, possible leak of voters data

Top officials of the Comelec have refuted the report, stressing it would be "impossible to hack non-existent information".

While the report has been denied by the COMELEC through Spokesperson James Jimenez, it is in the interest of the citizenry and of the country to feel secure in the electoral process. This is why I have tasked the DICT’s Cybersecurity Bureau to immediately and independently investigate these allegations. If indeed information has been stolen, there is still time to make the necessary changes and precautions to ensure fair, honest, and efficient elections, Caintic said.

DICT Cybersecurity Bureau Director Jose Carlos P. Reyes also said the unit is working closely with the Comelec regarding the issue.

The Comelec said it would release its findings on the alleged hacking within the week.

Sources: Manila Bulletin, CNN