Biyernes, Mayo 3, 2013

Brillantes arranging for release of 2010 source code



By:   
May 3, 2013 6:05pm



Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. is now arranging for the release of the source code used in the 2010 automated elections to disprove allegations that there was none kept at the vault in Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Brillantes went to BSP Friday afternoon but failed to meet with Governor Amado Tetangco, who was in India. He said he instead just checked the vault where the source code was being kept.

“Kasi maraming nagsasabi na walang 2010 source code, so gusto naming ilabas para masabing meron. To disprove lang 'yung sinasabi nila na wala naman daw nilagay dun sa Central Bank,” the poll chief told reporters upon his return to the Comelec office.

Asked if he would allow the 2010 source code to be reviewed, he replied in the affirmative, but added he is not sure if it can be brought somewhere as requested by interested groups three years ago. The request was rejected by Comelec then due to security reasons.

“Wala pa namang naka-review nun nung 2010. Kung gusto nilang reviewhin, open na naman sa akin. Anyway, hindi na gagamitin sa eleksyon. Ewan ko lang kung papayag ang Smartmatic na iuwi 'yun for security reasons. Pero ngayon since hindi na gagamitin, pwede na siguro ibigay,” he said.

The source code was not reviewed in the May 2010 elections. The Comelec, then headed by Jose Melo, deposited the source code with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for safekeeping.

The source code was certified then by international software testing company SysTest Labs, now SLI Global Solutions Inc., in their facility in Colorado, USA, for P75 million. It was brought to the country and formally turned over to the Comelec on February 1, 2010.

Encoded in two compact discs, the source code was placed in a small black safety box with the hash codes, locked, and sealed with four Comelec stickers.

The BSP then placed the small safety box in a fire and waterproof vault inside a caged room at the BSP facility in Manila. The Comelec was entrusted with the keys to the padlocks of the cage, the key to the safety box, and the combination of the vault.

Asked for the significance of making public the 2010 source code, Brillantes said there is none except “it will show and disprove 'yung statements ng aking mga kaibigan sa labas na nagsasabing wala daw source code nung 2010.”

“Gusto ko lang i-arrange, makukuha namin yung source code,” he added.

He said not everyone can get near the vault where the 2010 source code is being kept as the area is “very secured.”

Brillantes said the 2010 source code is different from the one to be used in 2013 as the latter “has the enhancements and improvements.”

The 2013 source code is with international certifier SLI Global Solutions in Denver, which concluded, after reviewing it, that it is “functionally capable of operating properly, securely and accurately.”

Dominion refuses to release the source code until Smartmatic pays it $10 million for the supposed use of the former’s technology.

Asked on the chance of getting the 2013 source code, Brillantes suddenly became optimistic and said: “Tignan natin baka dumating pa rin.”

“Baka dumating. Ngayon pagkatapos kong makausap 'yung mga bisita ko dyan baka tumaas taas nang kaunti,” he said.

Smartmatic’s Cesar Flores was seen entering the office of Brillantes before the poll chief arrived from BSP. — KBK, GMA News