COMELEC files case against IT expert and lawyer who said elections could be hacked.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has officially filed a case against lawyer and IT expert Atty. Harold Respicio over his video content discussing the alleged possibility of hacking the 2025 midterm elections.

According to a recent report by GMA Integrated News, Comelec proceeded with the case, stating they could not ignore an alleged attempt to sabotage the electoral process. “This is very dangerous, very dangerous. Aside from misinformation, it is very dangerous because just think about it, the people are being conditioned that they can do anything [to win the election],” said Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia in an interview with reporters.

He further emphasized, “It’s not the Comelec that he’s talking about here, but the entire process and integrity of our elections. The Comelec will not tolerate this.”

Respicio first gained Comelec’s attention through a now-deleted social media video, where he claimed that the Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) could be hacked, potentially compromising the election results if they were connected to the internet before the final election returns were printed.

Meanwhile, in his latest TikTok video on March 1, 2025, Respicio reiterated his reasons for exposing what he described as possible vulnerabilities in the election process.

"In that video, I went into detail in discussing computer securities. How to take advantage of the weakness in the automated counting machine system," Respicio stated.

He further clarified, “So that when the Comelec sees that video, they will say, ‘Yes, right?’ Or the people will say, ‘Yes, right? Harold’s explanation is very convincing. It could happen, let’s fix it.’ Actually, that’s the purpose of that video. I hope the Comelec fixes it. Because it’s a simple fix. Nothing will be lost.”

Respicio is facing a complaint for violating Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code, which prohibits “the unlawful use of publication and unlawful utterances.” This includes publishing false information that could endanger public order or damage the state's interest or credibility.