Comelec Computerization Weakness

Joey de Venecia III (ZTE-NBN whistle blower) notes Comelec

computerization weakness

IT-based businessman Joey de Venecia III (ZTE-NBN whistle blower) says the Commission on Elections’ choice of software for its P11-billion computerization program is far from ideal.

In particular, Joey said the Comelec’s choice of the Open Election System optical scan software does not provide adequate safeguards against hacking, and therefore cheating.

“Massive cheating can still occur in the 2010 elections,” Joey says in his blog, Joey3live.com.

While granting that today’s Comelec commissioners and Congress may have the best of intentions in computerizing its outdated manual count system, superior software should still be considered, he said.

In a statement to media, Joey said awarding the contract to the lowest bidder was “faulty economics.”

“It’s like buying a car when what you really need is a van or a truck,” Joey said.

The Comelec should choose a program which offers total transparency, preferably the same kind used in working democracies such as the US, UK or Japan. Any additional expense would be justified by the greater safety features of more expensive software.

“Computerizing the voting process is long overdue as it is supposed to eradicate cheating,” Joey states in his blog, “Too much is at stake in the 2010 polls.

Joey joined other IT experts in calling for the Comelec to reconsider its choice of software. “Only the best possible hardware and software should be used to guard the sanctity of the ballot,” he said.

Joey is founder and chairman of Castle Rock Holdings Limited, a Hongkong registered company that provides managerial, financial and engineering services for infrastructure projects worldwide.

He is also connected with Business Corporate Services, Inc. a company that provides IT consulting, telecom infrastructure and engineering services. He is the founder and president of Lake West Resources, a company that explores the viability of hydro-electric power in the country with a partnership with Fromm Energies of Barcelona, Spain. He sits on the Board and is an investor in Agri Fisheries World Corp., an aqua culture joint venture among Chinese, Taiwanese and Filipinos that engages in fisheries technology in several parts of the country.

Although known to the public as the whistleblower behind the ZTE-national broadband network scandal, as well as for filing an impeachment case against President Arroyo last year, Joey is also a pioneer in the information technology field.

He is considered the father of the Philippine call center industry after setting up the first real business process outsourcing company in the country. He also owned a paging company in the ‘90s.

Posted in Computerization Weakness, News, features |