Isabela Vice Mayor-Elect Turns Himself In After Arrest Warrant
JERYLL HAROLD RESPICIO – The Isabela Vice Mayor-elect voluntarily surrendered to the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 34 on Tuesday after learning that an arrest warrant had been issued against him. The charges stem from a cybercrime complaint filed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Respicio said he chose to surrender to avoid being arrested and detained. By turning himself in, he explained, he could post bail and follow the proper legal process. He added that they planned to post bail that same day—₱32,000 for each of the two charges filed against him, since there were two separate videos involved.
The case was filed by Comelec’s Task Force Katotohanan, Katapatan at Katarungan (KKK) sa Halalan in February. It was based on videos Respicio posted online, where he allegedly claimed he could manipulate the Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) for the 2025 elections. He also showed what he said were backdoor programs that could be used to alter election results.
Despite the complaint, Respicio stood by his videos, saying his statements were not false. He also said Comelec had even acted on his suggestions by including a rule that prevents ACMs from being connected to the internet before and during the printing of election returns.
Respicio told the public he is ready to fight for the truth. He said he would continue revealing what he believes are problems with the electoral process in the 2025 elections, so the same issues won’t happen again in 2028.
Meanwhile, Comelec Chair George Garcia rejected Respicio’s claims. Garcia explained that the election returns are printed first at the precinct before any data is transmitted. This means the results are already known before they are sent, making it nearly impossible to hack or change anything at that stage.
As of now, Respicio has not backed down and is preparing to defend his side in court.