In an interview with broadcast journalist ArdyAraneta-Batoy over radio station DYTR on Thursday, Atty. Jordan Pizarras claimed that the software used by the Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) should be certified at least 90 days before the election.
However, the version used during the 2025 elections was certified only on April 30, 2025 just 13 days before the polls.
Pizarras further alleged that the certified version was 3.4.0, while the version actually installed in the ACMs on election day was 3.5.0.
He explained that the software governs how the machine behaves in counting, processing, and transmitting votes, including the printing of election returns.
He stressed that the source code must be human-readable to be certified by experts.
According to Pizarras, version 3.4.0 met that standard and was tested to successfully transmit results to the seven transparency servers.
He claimed that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) switched to version 3.5.0 without informing the public or relevant experts—who, he noted, were unaware of what the newer version contained.
Pizarras warned that this version switch could open the door to manipulation, as the results received by the servers came from machines running version 3.5.0, not the certified 3.4.0.
He insisted that transmissions from ACMs should be automatic and free from human intervention.
He added that instead of direct ACM-to-server transmission, Comelec allegedly rerouted the data through a facility called “Data Center 3,” where, according to Comelec Chairperson Garcia, the data was “cleansed” before transmission.
“There should have been no intervention of any kind,” Pizarras asserted, adding that any changes made should have been made public—but were not.
“The diversion done by the Comelec was illegal,” he said.
Garcia’s Trip to Bohol
Pizarras also highlighted Chairperson Garcia’s unpublicized trip to Bohol on February 17, 2025, claiming there are witnesses and evidence of the visit.
Allegedly, IT personnel also visited Bohol the next day, February 18, 2025 and were seen with Garcia. Local Comelec staff, according to Pizarras, were unaware of his presence.
In his petition, Pizarras also mentioned another trip Garcia made to Bohol after the elections, during which he allegedly met with political families. Although the visit was initially shared on social media, the post was later removed. However, Pizarras said he obtained screenshots from witnesses.
Alleged Bank Withdrawal
He also cited rumors that a political family withdrew P150 million from a local bank. Pizarras urged the courts to investigate, noting that due to bank secrecy laws, court intervention is necessary to verify the claim.
Connections to the National Printing Office
In his petition, Pizarras noted alleged links between Garcia and former members of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal.
He cited one former Bohol second district congressman and his former chief of staff, lawyer Revsee Escobedo, who later became Director IV of the National Printing Office (NPO).
Escobedo, who previously served as a Department of Education undersecretary, signed the memorandum of agreement between the Comelec and the NPO to print ballots, Pizarras said.
Although Escobedo is not the head of the NPO, Pizarras said that he (Escobedo) signed the printing pact.
Pizarras further claimed that Garcia, in his earlier role as an election lawyer, had engaged with tribunal members and staff—including Escobedo, who served as chief of staff before joining the NPO.
He also noted that the congressman’s wife, former Trinidad, Bohol Mayor Judith Cajes had once hired Atty. George Garcia as legal counsel (years before he became Comelec Chairman).
Pizarras questioned the ballot count, pointing out that the NPO printed five million more ballots than the number of registered voters, despite historical data showing not all voters turn out on election day.