These past few days have been very frustrating for supporters of the automated system implemented by Comelec and Smartmatic like myself. After a week of generally positive feedback on the system came a deluge of criticisms all pointing to the claim of massive electoral fraud.

While I do support this automated election project, I do not feel compelled to defend it blindly against each and every allegation raised against it. If there are irregularities I too would like to hear about it.

Well, I’m still hearing quite well but so far all I’ve been getting out of the noise are unsubstantiated claims. And, no, I don’t think the surfacing of Koala Bear or whatever his name is makes any of the allegations credible. On the contrary, the presence of this dubious character only makes it clearer that this is all one big sham.

It’s good the Commission on Elections is taking this issue head on. This should at least quell any suspicion that they have anything to hide. From what I’ve been hearing, the Comelec commissioners are standing their ground on the credibility of the election. Their challenge to Mr. Masked Man and more importantly those behind him: Present your evidence.

Yes, present your evidence Mr. Koala Bear. That’s a reasonable demand considering you are making some very bold claims. I really hope you'll heed calls for you to come out with concrete evidence if only to give this issue some real basis to stand on.

May I also remind you Mr. Koala Bear that this issue has many implications on what should be a smooth transition of power. The sooner this is resolved the better for the whole country. Do not let this linger on.

I reiterate. You raised your allegations. Now back them up with evidence.

(excerpt from inquirer.net report)

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair Jose Melo was more amused than concerned about the masked man, who first showed up during a news forum on Tuesday.

Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Y. Larrazabal merely laughed off the whistle-blower as “hot air.”

“How can you summon a koala bear to a meeting of the House?” said Makati City Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr., the committee chair.

“That man is in a mask and a man with a mask is not entitled to anything. The Comelec has said that that man has made general allegations of fraud and anybody can make general allegations,” Locsin said.

“I am surprised it makes everybody jump. This is obviously something to derail the elections. But he has not even identified himself, he does not give specifics,” Melo told the hearing.

Melo added that the only serious thing he had heard so far was that Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, according to the masked man, gave P1 billion for the cheating operation against his vice presidential rival Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II who allegedly “gave some money but it was not that much.”

“He should come out to identify himself and give specific charges,” Melo said.

Locsin said that the 30-minute video of the whistle-blower, who used the alias “Robin” and wore a straw hat and a face mask which made him look like a koala bear, was useful only to the politicians who felt they were cheated.