Testing the Credibility...Ateneo Prof's Cyber-Garci Theory
By Paul Farol
Anyone who has played a computer game, whether using a console or PC, is aware that embedded within the program of the game is a cheat-code that will allow them to have infinite lives, resources, and other powers that will allow them to win the game.
Prof. Pablo Manalastas, a faculty member of the Ateneo de Manila University’s Computer Science Department and lecturer at the University of the
"The Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines could arrive at the precincts with prepared ballot images and election results already inputted into the system, and the computers for canvassing with prepared Certificates of Canvass (COC) and Statements of Votes (SOVs). And at any stage of
the elections, someone who has the root password could log into the system from a remote site and control the canvassing computers—and the canvassers wouldn’t even know. This could happen as early as municipal canvassing because the computer will stay connected to the network for 24 to 72 hours via modem starting at 6 p.m. of election day."
-- source: Verafiles
This is certainly an intriguing idea and one which many
Filipinos may find themselves buying into, as most Filipinos are susceptible to two things -- rumor and fear.. Without thinking, without critical analyses, your common average Filipino will take something for the truth without bothering to check the facts. (Hmmm! Which reminds me of one other female blogger who believes everything.)
Right now, I am of the opinion that all Manalastas is doing is planting the seeds, laying the predic
ate, and spreading the venom of discord that will be the basis of Electoral disputes in 2010. Just imagine, he'll be the most invited expert to each and every court proceeding that involves an electoral protest -- and since he can't clone himself like a computer virus, he will be controlling the supply side of the economic equation. How much will his expert testimony be worth, after 2010?
Just do the math on this one, there are three billionaires gunning for the Presidency. Manny Villar, Mar Roxas, and Jamby Madrigal.
Enough said.
But I don't know how much his testimony will be worth when you read what is written about his automated elections cheat code theory. What he says in one part completely contradicts with the other parts. First he says fielding and supervising 82,000 machines is enormously difficult, but at the same time says that it is easy to install a cheat code program and activate that program.
WHAT?!! Are you INSANE? It would be even more difficult to install the cheat code program in all 82,000 machines.
First, you'd have to install the unaltered program in each of the 82,000 machines, then have it checked and certified. After which, you'd have to replace the program already installed in the machine or download the data into the machine -- without breaking the seals and other tampering countermeasures.
Think about it, installing cheat code 82,000 times in 82,000 machines would infinitely raise the probability of one getting caught.
Unless, of course, the cheat code is already manufactured into the election machines but then, wouldn't it be easily detected just by looking at the memory cards and data storage of the machine to see if it already contains data or check if the program that is installed is coded differently?
But before you can even write the cheat code program and install it without being detected, you'd have to first figure out the winner of the 2010 elections in advance. If one could actually control the results of the election even before the first ballot is cast, wouldn't that be worth a lot of money? Wouldn't that give me a lot of power? Naturally, if one has such a valuable commodity, one would follow human nature and make it known to others who may be interested in that commodity.
Since there is just one election for the President every six years, the power to determine the winner of the 2010 elections would be worth an absolute mint!
Given the greed of most ordinary Filipinos and even extra-ordinary Filipinos, one would probably try to sell this commodity for as high a price as possible -- with the implicit threat that if one is not satisfied with the price, they'd just go to the next interested party.
Needless to say, my friends, just by telling one of the three billionaire Presidential candidates that you can guarantee their victory in 2010, you could either end up rich and dead or alive but paranoid for life. Because certainly, they wouldn't want to risk the possibility of you blackmailing them or squealing on them.
People can always theorize that the system wouldn't work, that the system is faulty and all that jazz. But having seen how manual elections had been manipulated in the past elections, I'd rather risk an automation system efficiency of which is universally proven and its fault still remains largely a theory.
Those who oppose it are afraid of losing the chance of winning by cheating.
Agree with Rain- Harry Roque is a carpetbagger who has to loose weight and fast!!!!
Senate says “Demonstration of the success and capability of the precinct count optical scan machines (or any AES chosen) may be in an electoral exercise in a foreign jurisdiction. This is a clear indication that pilot testing… is not a mandatory requirement for the choice of system in the May 2010 elections,” the Senate said.Nor is a pilot testing in the May 2007 elections a prerequisite for the full automation of the May 2010 elections, since the system’s capability may have been successfully demonstrated in other electoral exercises abroad,” it added. The Senate also said that Congress had shown its clear intention to fully automate the 2010 elections when it passed a supplemental budget of more than P11 billion to have automated national and local elections next year."
Mga matanda mag-manual tapos mga bata automated... tapos problema!
Harry Roque should go on a diet... PERIOD!
It's another case of "Damn if you do, Damn if you don't!"
BET YOU pag natalo si Ariel Querubin , eh banat nya dinaya siya!
That's why nakakapagod sila!
I agree with thirdy "BET YOU pag natalo si Ariel Querubin , eh banat nya dinaya siya!"
and I want Trixie's opinion on the matter sana...
Those who oppose it are afraid of losing the chance of winning by cheating... YES RAIN and that's none other than CHEEZ "trapo" ESCUDERO!
Like it or not, I'd still choose a computerized election over a manual one. Yes computer games has Cheat codes. These cheat codes are actually used by the programmers to play their game and see if certain bugs can be encountered as one plays the game. But that is not the least of our concerns.
Computer programs also has "Back doors." Now this is alarming since if these "back doors" are breached then the whole program is placed in jeopardy and can be controlled remotely. And I wouldn't put it pass anyone who has the resources, technical expertise, too much hunger for power, and with so much to lose to do something so malevolent.
Now if anyone would do something so horrible, that would give the phrase being "kicked in the butt" a whole new cybernetic meaning.
they are against it because they know it is much harder to cheat electronically with all the safegurds in place. in the old way, pre-stuffed ballot boxes replaced the real ones. i have actually seen it done as a child.
http://pinoybiz.blogspot.com/2009/08/atty-harry-roques-fight-against.html
What if Manalastas is right? Paul Farol is hardly an expert in the matter and I doubt he can even whip up a decent program. If Farol can challenge Manalastas to a programming duel. I don't think you need to program the cheat codes in each and every unit, anyone who has ever been a reacipient of a trojan or worm can tell you it can come from across the globe, the guy is tech illiterate obviously. If a global company can keep connected with its satellites around the world, monitor their locations, allow intercommunication/intra, protected by the best firewall money could buy can still be hacked by industrial spies, whats this automated gizmo with gray areas going to be? If you even look closely at how insanely stupid the demos turned out you'd say stop this already. Farol is either out of sync or got paid already. Automation is not the answer, its accountability and trust, people run machines not the other way around. Unless Farol just turned genius and designed artificial intelligence program that can discipline people autonomically without a manual override.
Sheesh. We're again led by the nose and rain and minions are cheering and applauding. "garbage in , garbage out" have you forgotten basic programming? Automation will only work if we have trustworthy people running it, I take it that you guys are ready to go down on your knees and worship the comelec? Who's the new Garci? For people who profess to be intelligent you sure don't sound like it...
...Let the council do its research and see if there is no possibility of remotely manipulating the system...before it speaks, otherwise take the shoes off their mouths!
Farol is either out of sync or got paid already!
Mr.Harry Roque’s latest accusation is totally untrue and baseless..! Ganyan mga abugadong walang kliyente...
Nag-IINGAY at nag-papapansin!
Mr.Harry Roque’s latest accusation is totally untrue and baseless..! Ganyan mga abugadong walang kliyente...
Nag-IINGAY at nag-papapansin!
agree
Why fear computerized election?
Ultimately we know deep down in our hearts that the other side of every fear is a freedom.
Amiel Aguilar Cabanlig
im already expecting the media to broadcast this lame issue and not explain it properly like how this blog analyzed it well and brought light.
sheesh! the elections is so full of pessimism. Rumor and Fear... average minds are susceptible to this I agree, but the media has the power to alleviate this problem. But all they broadcast are the negative sides. Politics simply serve as mere entertainment here in the Philippines. Gawd!
syempre Paul works for Gordon kaya ganyan sya!
Sen. Richard Gordon is an unabashed promoter of technologies that will make elections faster and free of fraud. Almost single-handedly, he caused the skittish Commission on Elections to agree to automated elections provided that the system and procedure that will be used in the 2010 national election are first tried out in the election in August in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao .
The election using either system may not be as quick as what Richard Gordon wants but it will be relatively accurate!
Yes to automation!
I'm curious about what Trixie has to say..?
Who is Paul?
I wonder what the author has to say about the comelec's record? "Impeccable?""Incorruptible?" What about the "I'm sorry for the hello garci?" Where do you stand really? For truth?(your version) are your views corroborated by other sources?
You expect us to okay automation even if its run by thieves? Let a third partydo it, not comelec!
The election using either system may not be as quick as what Richard Gordon wants but it will be relatively accurate!
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There he goes again...the gay paraplegic mouthing off! You're not even using a licensed virus shield, for sure you don't even know how to update it...
fairly accurate is right-accurately dangerous in teh wrong hands.
stop playing with yourself already!
The UP Law Center is doing its own study of the SMARTMATIC process for purposes of compliance with elections laws, and in relation to the protection of the rights of voters and cadidates. For the moment, the concerns lie in the fact that neither the voters nor the candidates will have a means of determining the accuracy of data and all evidence lies solely in the hands of the COMELEC. Thats kind of a lot of trust to repose in an institution that has constantly failed us.
So, while I am for computerized elections, I think the kinks ought to be ironed out of this one first.
O, bawal pikon, opinyon lang ito.
Trixie... Amiel says that ultimately you know deep down in your heart that the other side of every fear is a freedom.
Seek the TRUTH (not the lies of Ellen T.) for it will set you FREE.
Sister Mary Tricky once said that fear is faith that it won't work out....
Hi Trixie,
Who do you think is more foolish, the child afraid of the dark or the man afraid of the light?
Juan Miguel Abad
James,
I guess you're protesting against the national artist issue too, you weren't considered. For some insane reason, you believe that mangling yourself via contortions erotically and raping yourself is an art form. Get a life, get a girlfriend! Orgo drive by Quezon Ave for some 350Php action - its all you can afford anyway!
Hahaha. Sorry you guys (James, Anonymous 9:54 and Mr. Abad), I'm not talking about fear, I'm talking about evidence, at least in accordance with the findings of the UP Law Center. Nothing in my post refers to fears, anyone else's or my own. We're talking about evidentiary trails so that there is proof of contested numbers.
away na naman... I love it!
I think Smartmatic is doing a public "try it out yourself" very soon. I suggest you guys try it out for yourself before you guys start yapping again... to much talk wala namang alam!
sino mas malaki tiyan si paul o si dick?
ngarngarngar...sino mas malaki tiyan si paul o si dick?
These arguments about the automated election shows that at least the public is paying attention to possibilities.
There is a possibility that the machines can be manipulated to tabulate a particular outcome.
There is a possibility that it can be tampered with remotely.
And like in many Casinos there is a possibility that the machines will spit out results favouring the house.
All that I hope for is that there are enough citizens to police the implementation and an independent body to randomly test that these machines are not tampered with.
You know even the best at Microsoft suffered the ignominy of hacking.
Karma will soon rise! http://www.basnav.tk
The author has a very minimal knowledge about computer security.
Big Deal Trixie...The idea of automated election is like an ATM machine. Yes may nakaka kuha ng ATM but the odds are very low. BTW your begging to sund like Leah Navarro!
Senators who were VICTIMS of DAG-DAG BAWAS like Pimentel and Biazon welcomed the signing of the automation contract. Nene Pimentel said it is now up to petitioner Roque to prove his allegations, “Anybody can make allegations” he added.The automation of the electoral system is mandated under Republic Act (R.A.) 9369. It amended R.A. 8436, which authorized the Comelec to use an automated election system in the May 11, 1998, national elections and in subsequent electoral exercises thereafter.
The rebel soldiers want to have a failure of election so they can SEIZE POWER AGAIN...
Napaka obvious ang takbo ng utak nila Querubin!
Ayan na naman sila, yung mga tangang commenters! Hoy! Hindi ba legitimate ang tanong kung may back up evidence yung data ng SMARTMATIC?
Kasi deterrent effect yun sa mga nangangarap mandaya. Kung mapapatunayan ang pandaraya. anuman ang sistemang ginamit, magdadalawang isip ang nais manlinlang.
Ang galing galing talaga ng nag comment tunkol sa sundalong rebelde. Out of tune!
Ok, so we all hate Querubin. He's sira-ulo. Pero what we're talking about here is the SMARTMATIC computerized elections.
Ngayon, if you want to disagree with someone, pwede ba, at least naman TRY to make sense?
At sino naman yun nag comment na tunog Leah Navarro si Atty. Trixie? May sagot ka ba sa tanong kung may back up evidence yung sistema?
Puro kayo satsat, wala namang sense.
Nene Pimentel says “Anybody can make allegations”... There you go!
In 2004, Rodolfo Biazon's votes were the target of operations for Robert Barbers, but it was detected early enough to preserve Biazon's position... the rate for whole cheating for senatorial candidates is P500 per vote in Mindanao. Computerization can stop this!
Ask Ed Cabanlig who operated against Barbers cheating spree in Marawi kaya di maka-daya si Barbers... Sa kaka daya na-tigok si Barbers.
Sabagay puwede sya tumakbo ng Senador sa impyerno!
At sino naman yun nag comment na tunog Leah Navarro si Atty. Trixie?
Ngayon mundo`y gulung-gulo
At lahat tayo`y litung-lito
Pag-ibig sa kapwa tao
Sa daigdig dapat ituro
Kung bawa`t puso mayroong pagmamahal
Kapayapaa`t kasiyahan tiyak na makakamtan ...
Anon 1:25, you must understand...stupidity rules in here. These dumb commenters bring the queen jologs and the sick colonel into almost every topic because that's their agenda. It is best not to count on them to say anything of substance. That would be too much for their brains to handle.
Sayang lang what the council writes sometimes because it is usually overshadowed by these stupid and senseless comments...but I guess it comes with the territory of democracy in a nation of idiots.
According to the Amended Automated Elections Systems main author Sen. Richard Gordon,the public should not be worried that automated elections would equate to computerized cheating...“Our country would not move forward with manual voting, which is prone to cheating,” aid Gordon.The Safeguards include provisions for voter verified paper audit trail; system audit ability to provide supporting documentation for verifying the correctness of reported election results; and provisions for the safekeeping, storing and archiving of physical or paper resources used in the election process.The law also requires that the machines should provide the voter a system of verification to find out whether the machine has registered his choice; and a random manual audit to be done in one precinct per congressional district that is randomly chosen by the Comelec in each province and city.Gordon said any difference between the automated and manual count will result in the determination of root cause, and to initiate a manual count for those precincts affected by the computer or procedural error.
ANG MGA AYAW AUTOMATED ELECTIONS eh GUSTO MANDAYA...
period!
Sabagay puwede sya tumakbo ng Senador sa impyerno!
Oo nga we should penalize cheaters like Jambigy Madrigal and Migz Zubiri with the death penalty!
MIGZ ZUBIRI THE GAY CHEATER!
This is what I like about Sen. Antonio Trillanes- he calls a spade a spade.
If Zubiri makes it to the Senate courtesy of the manufactured votes of Maguindanao, he will just like Gloria Arroyo – got his position by cheating. We will forever regard him as Sen. Daya na Zubiri.
Hoy, hoy, hoy so why does Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV own a fleet of luxury cars when he retired from service with the rank of lieutenant senior grade aber?
sweldo ng tiniente eh 18,000/month lamang?
Eh basta we should get DJ Montano as COMELEC commissioner para masaya!
ANG MGA AYAW AUTOMATED ELECTIONS eh GUSTO MANDAYA...
period!
--------------------------
Bobo! Sino ba ang mga madaya, di be yung may gusto ng automation? Taga saan ba kayo? URanus?
si James PogI SmOoTh operator!
(focus on the caps)
Ganito na lang mga jologs, balik na lang tayo sa mano-manong eleksyon para masigurado nating maglilipana ang mga mandaraya.
Kaya lang naman may mga ayaw sa autoamted elections eh dahil iyong mga kagaya ni Gus Lugman na natalo sa bidding at sa mga kagaya ni Christian Monsud na ipinipilit ang sinaunang sistema ng pagtatara ng resulta.
Sa mga nagsasabi na walang transparency ang automated election, tanungin niyo muna sarili niyo kung nagmamatiyag ba kayong lahat kapag tinatara na ang mga boto.
Malamang hindi.
Kungdi ba naman kayo mga kurimaw at hunghang, walang silbi ang transparency kung lahat kayo uuwi kapag binibilang na ang boto.
Hay. Bakit kasi ganyan pulitika sa atin. Gagawin lahat para sa power and wealth. If there are no
"cheaters" in our government no one would be afaraid whatever type of voting system we will have. Kelan kaya tayo magkakaroon ng maayos na election?
If we will have the election electronically then we will need to have the result the next day. Just like in the US. Kung electronically nga gagawin then we will have 1-2 weeks before they release the result then its likely to be altered pa rin and wala kwenta electronic voting.
We need to have an efficient system. The problem is sometimes yung mga nakapaikot sa voting system sila pa yung nasisilaw sa pera ng mga candidate. kailangan natin ng mga tapat na tao para di magulo systema natin.
i believe than automation is better than manual. it will be a sign that at last, we're living in the 21st century.
the more important thing is for us to vote for the person we think is the best for our nation, somebody we can respect and follow as a leader. (i haven't decided yet and that's what i'm focusing on.)
anon 835 your kinda mistaken... cheating happens when the COC's are transmitted by hand to the Comelec officials. This obvious style of cheating can by prevented by computerization.
hahaha...These dumb commenters bring the queen jologs and the sick colonel into almost every topic because that's their agenda..!
Manual counting is safer. alam mo bang sa computer pwedeng mag add at subtract ng totals ng sobrang bilis at laki?
ganito din ang ginagawa sa mga POS ng mga tindahan.. dalawa ang reading. me pipindutin lang na keys then me reading na isa para sa bir at isa sa accounting. kung ang tamang reading eh 100,000 at vat na malaki, sa reading para sa bir 60,000 na lang at maliit na vat. paano na lang kung 100 ang dami ng counters at araw araw itong nangyayari? mag isip nga kayo, paano na lang ang computerized system na iyan na ang gagawa eh nahaluan pa ng pinoy...
alam ito ng mga programmers... alam na alam
pwede ng mag computerize kung masisigurong honest ang pagkakagawa at gagawa nito...
I suggest na hindi muna mag-o-online ang mga local terminals hanggat di pa tapos ang botohan (maglagay ng control dito, like a special modem na nakatago muna hanggat di pa tapos botohan).
dapat naka real-time ang display ng results sa malaking lcd screen sa bawat location(pricinct).
pagkatapos ng botohan saka pa mag on-line.
tapos dapat i-display na real-time ang mga nakukuhang totals by pricinct ng main server para macocompare talaga. so walang dayaan kasi lalagyan din ng column na "number of registered who voted sa pricinct", tapos syempre dapat equal iyon sa mga nakuhang boto ng mga kandidato.
ah basta ganyang mga controls para kwentas klaros
tapos pala bigyan ng access ang mga namfrel etc. etc. sa totals pero dapat hindi lang totals ng main server...
ganito yan..
me access sa totals ng bawat princint at access din sa totals na nagawa ng main server
para ma audit iyan ng mga grupo tulad ng namfrel ccempel etc etc etc.
What is Harry Roque afraid of?
Indonesia elections did well...and they're not automated.
Rain, stop barking at the moon, stick with us jologgs, Atty. Roque is way out of your league.
It appears that this blog is infiltrated by Gloria's minions, isn't it obvious?
Shit by any other name, is still shit, and would still stink...
"It appears that this blog is infiltrated by Gloria's minions, isn't it obvious?"
Why does everything have to be Gloria?
Automation is spearheaded by Gordon; An Oppositionist!
Gordon, an oppositionist...
You believe that bullshit?
Morel like opportunist...
anon 947... the more you talk like Ellen Tordesillas the less people will agree with you.
Paul hates Gloria nya with a passion- gusto nya lang automation.
Matulog ka na!
Ahh, the "appearance" of passion, like the "appearance" of righteousness...be careful, or you'll just a lamb being led by the nose...to the slaughter...
...gullibility is never a good virtue.