Isabela vice mayor-elect surrenders over cybercrime charges

Isabela Vice Mayor-elect Jeryll Harold Respicio voluntarily surrendered at the Manila Regional Trial Court on Tuesday in connection with cybercrime charges filed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) following a warrant of arrest issued by RTC Branch 34.

Respicio was charged under Article 134 of the Revised Penal Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act for allegedly violating rules regarding false information and cybersecurity after he posted videos claiming that automated counting machines could be hacked if connected to the internet.

Task Force Katotohanan, Katapatan at Katarungan (KKK) sa Halalan filed the case against Respicio in February, with Comelec chairman George Garcia criticizing his claims.

Respicio's legal team stated there were backdoor programs that allowed manipulation of ACMs and demonstrated how to exploit election results, while Respicio insisted that his posts were not untrue as Comelec adhered to his appeal to prohibit internet connectivity for ACMs before printing election returns.

Comelec reiterated that the automated system has safeguards and that the machines are secure during voting, standing firm against Respicio's suggestions.