COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) Spokesman James B. Jimenez announced on Monday his resignation as the Focal Person of the Local Source Code Review committee of the poll body following an “inappropriate” incident at an official event at the De La Salle University in Manila during the weekend.
Last Saturday, a photo of a bikini-clad celebrity flashed in front of the screen during the launch of the local source code review, while Comelec Commissioner Luie Tito Guia was making a presentation.
Jimenez claimed responsibility for the incident since it was his computer, which was used for the presentation. “The image is in my computer. It is a desktop image and then, unfortunately, when we were switching programs from presentation to presentation apparently it appeared,” Jimenez told reporters in a press conference.
Jimenez said he already tendered his resignation for the source code panel because of the incident to disprove rumors circulating about the incident.
“I resigned…I can’t abide by what people were saying that I was hacked or it was not my fault. It is my fault. I am responsible for that particular event. That sort of thing should have been handled better,” stressed Jimenez. However, he will continue to act as Comelec’s spokesman and the head of its planning department.
He also said his departure from the source code committee aims to maintain the credibility of the Comelec. “It will be better for the transparency of the process and the overall credibility of the institution that I serve to take responsibility for it now,” Jimenez said.
The Comelec has yet to announce Jimenez’s replacement in the Local Source Code Review committee.