No to PH poll cheating; Yes to ASEAN partnership

THE automated election system ( AES) source code is “secure” but cheating in the coming national elections is still possible, warns a poll watchdog.

Okay, on with the polls but let’s shut out fools! Continued vigilance, please!

*** “They put enough security to make it hard for outsiders to use the system to cheat. But, if they want to cheat, they can do that,” says source code reviewer Dr. Pablo Manalastas.

A warning from “expert” Dr. Manalastas, not just a simple patalastas.

*** Manalastas, a retired professor of the Ateneo de Manila University Department of Information Systems and Computer Science, tells the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Automated Election that: “The system is secure, but hacking the system can be done through the cooperation of people who are in charge of the data system and who have physical control of machines. It is possible to cheat with a lot of help from Comelec and Smartmatic.”

Translation: Beware of smart. com. clique!

*** As to how many people could carry out electoral cheating, the expert says: “One or two people depending on the set up of the Comelec.”

It takes two to tango… but we are 100 million vs 2.

*** Smartmatic Technology Manager Marlon Garcia, however, assures that “not a single person has access to all the different components of the system,” not even Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista.

Make sure “no backdoor hardware or bar-coded software” could be used in poll cheating, UNA and other political parties insist.

*** Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista also clarifies that despite strong demand, no receipts will be issued to voters after casting their votes in the May, 2016, elections.

The receipts might be used in illegal vote- buying activities, he says.

*** More interesting issues keep cropping up.

Political realities unfolding like mushroom or popcorn.

*** Solicitor General Florin Hilbay asserts before the Supreme Court that “presidentiable” Sen. Grace Poe is a “natural- born” Filipino.

“Independent” Grace gets support from the administration’s backyard. Can suspicion be far behind?

*** “To exclude foundlings from exercising fundamental political rights and make them legally invisible, would be baseless, unjust, discriminatory, contrary to common sense, and the wrong way to interpret the Constitution,” argues Hilbay.

Poe’s disqualification case to break up before the High Tribunal?

*** Grace is not FM’s illegitimate daughter and there is no need to take the challenge of taking DNA with Sen. Bongbong Marcos, adoptive mother Susan Roces tells media in Iloilo City campaign sortie.

“Hay naku! When they say she is the daughter of my sister ( Rosemarie Sonora), why would I deny if it’s true,” Susan complains.

*** Recent presidential surveys show Poe, Vice President Binay, and Davao Mayor Rodrgio Duterte occupying the Top 3 musical chairs, with Sec. Mar Roxas and Sen. Miriam Defensor- Santiago catching up.

Malacañang Palace awaits its next tenant after PNoy. And the winner is…

*** Meanwhile, US Pres. Barack Obama asks ASEAN leaders in a California summit to boost eco- nomic and security cooperation with the United States to promote a peaceful, progressive, and stable region.

A stronger US-ASEAN alliance is firming up.

*** The Centro Escolar University ( CEU) says its HRM and other college graduates are now ASEAN Integration ready through better academic preparation and training.

Yes to a more vibrant and productive ASEAN Community.

*** “Sustainable Tourism in Southeast Asia” should continue to get a boost, say UE President Ester Garcia, Chancellor Zosimo Battad Jr., and other Asian university officials at the UE- Cal foundation anniversary forum.

Yes to more tourism, culturalacademic exchange, and economic partnerships.