EDITOR'S NOTE: A Facebook note by De La Salle University (DLSU) professor Antonio P. Contreras has taken the social media site by storm. Contreras argues that there are deliberate attempts to rig the 2016 Philippine elections against vice presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos based on his interpretation of the data he gathered. In response to Contreras, 104 experts and academicians seek for higher standards of professional integrity and competence and debunks Contreras' claims of electronic electoral fraud.
People need to be able to trust data. This means there is a great responsibility on the part of those who collect, analyze, interpret, and report data, especially when it concerns matters of public interest.
(Photo credit: abs-cbn)
We, the undersigned data scientist- engaged in mathematics, statistics, modelling, programming, analysis, and visualization- hold each other accountable to the highest standards of professional integrity and competence.
Recently, there has been public confusion on assertions of electoral fraud based on the analysis of data from election returns. In light of this, we make the following appeal:
* To those who analyze and interpret data:
-to exercise prudence and nuance in the statement of their conclusions
-to clearly cite the data sources and methodology used in their analysis
-to subject their results to critical peer review, prior to and after publication
“The first principle is that you must not fool yourself- and you are the easiest person
to fool."
-Richard Feynman
* To those who report on results of data analysis:
-to refrain from reporting claims at face value without careful vetting
-to seek multiple independent assessments of the validity of the analysis and conclusions before publication
-to report with proper perspective, context, depth, and nuance
”Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence."
-Carl Sagan
* To those who read reports and claims based on data analysis:
-to view statements made by experts with a healthy amount of skepticism and not automatically accept them as correct and valid
-to look for multiple independent assessments before judging the correctness and validity of an analysis and its conclusions
-to refrain from spreading unverified claims without sucient critical evaluation
"Don't believe everything you read on the Internet."
-Abraham Lincoln Meme
As a community, we believe in the power of data to raise the level of national discourse—not only in the context of the electoral process, but in many other areas of public concern, including health, disasters, and security, among others. We welcome the greater availability of open datasets in the country and the opportunity to harness this data for the public good.
We recognize that with this power comes great responsibility. To be trusted to use data correctly and responsibly, we must raise the level of transparency and accountability within our own community. In the spirit of peer review, we have the duty not only to be careful in the work that we do, but also to be critical of the work of others.
Here, we assert that an inverted V-shaped graph of the difference of votes between vice-presidential candidates Marcos and Robredo, plotted against the percentage of votes transmitted, does not amount to evidence of fraud. Given that the votes came in from different regions at different times, the shape of the graph is, in fact, the expected pattern. Many individuals and groups carried out independent analyses and communicated technical and logical arguments arriving at this conclusion.
The ability to give and receive critical feedback, without personal malice, is a core value of the scientific culture, a value essential to the integrity of the scientific enterprise.
This statement is made in this spirit| without ill intent toward any individual, but out of a sense of duty to the community.
The undersigned 104 signatories as of May 24, 2016, include the following:
1. Paolo Abarcar, Ph.D., Department of Economics, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
2. Mitch Abdon, Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist, DAI
3. Luisito Abueg, Assistant Professor, School of Economics, De La Salle University
4. Christian Alis, Postdoctoral Research Associate, University College London
5. Velimor Almonte, Assistant Professor in Mathematics, Malayan Colleges Laguna
6. Ricardo Ang III, Instructor, Department of Mathematics, Ateneo de Manila University
7. Romer Kristi Aranas, Research Associate, PHL-Microsat DPAD
8. Jefferson Arapoc, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, University of the Philippines Los Banos
9. Mary Grace Bacus, Analytics Consultant
10. Rick Bahague, Data Scientist, Talas Data Intelligence, Inc.
11. John Baluyut, Assistant Professor, University of Great Falls
12. Francis Bautista, Data Scientist, Talas Data Intelligence, Inc.
13. Julian Bautista, Graduate Student, The New School for Social Research
14. Marinel Benosa, Analyst, Meralco
15. Allan B. I. Bernardo, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Macau
16. Ebba Boye, Graduate Student, The New School for Social Research
17. Oliver Braunschweig, Graduate Student, The New School for Social Research
18. Joseph Brillantes, Data Scientist, YesCredit, Inc.
19. Jeric Briones, Instructor, Department of Mathematics, Ateneo de Manila University
20. Carl Dominick Calub, Data Analyst, Talas Data Intelligence, Inc.
21. Renz Adrian Calub, Assistant Professorial Lecturer, School of Economics, De La Salle University
22. Michelle Castillo, Graduate Student, UP National College of Public Administration and Governance
23. Raymond Castillo, Data & Analytics Lead
24. Peter Julian Cayton, Assistant Professor, School of Statistics, University of the Philippines Diliman
25. Christine Chan, Research Assistant, Ateneo de Manila University
26. Geoffrey Chua, Assistant Professor, Nanyang Technological University
27. Nathania Chua, Instructor, Department of Quantitative Methods and Information
Technology, Ateneo de Manila University
28. Angelo Luis Cortez, Lecturer, Department of Mathematics, Ateneo de Manila University
29. Joshua Cortez, Data Science Analyst, DataSeer
30. Lucinda David, Ph.D. Candidate, Lund University
31. Leandro de Castro, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of the Philippines Los Banos
32. Emmanuel Lorenzo de los Santos, Research Fellow, University of Warwick
33. Pecier Paul Decierdo, Science Education Officer, The Mind Museum
34. John Michael dela Paz, Instructor, College of Education, University of the Philippines Diliman
35. Jonnel dela Rosa, Data Scientist, Talas Data Intelligence, Inc.
36. Mariel Rae Kho Fangre, Consumer Insights Manager
37. Abigail Favis, Instructor, Department of Environment Science, Ateneo de Manila University
38. Jaime Miguel Favis, Data Analyst, Altitude Games
39. Cherry Frondozo, Knowledge Management and Research Coordinator, Asian Institute of Management
40. Roderick Galam, Research Associate, Free University of Berlin
41. Melissa Garabiles, Instructor, Department of Psychology, Ateneo de Manila University
42. David Garcia, Geographer and Urban Planner
43. Felan Carlo Garcia, Science Research Specialist, Advanced Science and Technology Institute
44. Miguel Barretto Garcia, Ph.D. Student, University of Zurich
45. Albert Gavino, Data Scientist, Talas Data Intelligence, Inc.
46. Maria Carissa Geronimo, Data Analyst
47. Charlotte Kendra Gotangco, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Science, Ateneo de Manila University
48. Jason Haw, Lecturer, Health Sciences Program, Ateneo de Manila University
49. Erin Hayde, Graduate Student, The New School for Social Research
50. Nathaniel Hermosa II, Associate Professor, National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines Diliman
51. Riel Carlo Ingeniero, M.S. Student, Universiteit Gent/Universiteit Antwerpen/Vrije Universiteit Brussel
52. Ivy Intano, Analytics Consultant, BusinessMinds
53. Rowen Iral, Chief Science Officer, TIMS Philippines
54. Justin Irigo, Advanced Analytics, Globe Telecom
55. Angelyn Lao, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics, De La Salle University
56. Carmela Lao, Quant Trader
57. Arnold Lau, M.A. Candidate, Columbia University
58. Vernel Lawas, Assistant Professor, Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics, University of the Philippines Los Ba~nos
59. Jean Loyola, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics, University of the Philippines Los Bannos
60. David Maddy, Graduate Student, The New School for Social Research
61. Juan Carlo Mallari, Instructor, Department of Mathematics, Ateneo de Manila University
62. Gayline Manalang, Jr., Assistant Professor & CIDS Research Fellow, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of the Philippines Manila
63. Ino Mantaring, Data Scientist, Talas Data Intelligence, Inc.
64. Jesus Lemuel Martin, Jr., Instructor, Department of Mathematics, Ateneo de Manila University
65. Douglas McDonald, Graduate Student, The New School for Social Research
66. Adrian Mendoza, Ph.D. Candidate, School of Economics, University of the Philippines Diliman
67. Kristin Militante, Assistant Professor, Department of Finance and Accounting, Ateneo de Manila University
68. Katrina Miradora, Graduate Student, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies
69. Felix Muga II, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics, Ateneo de Manila University
70. Ma. Regina Paz Onglao, Lecturer, Ateneo de Manila University
71. Yasmin Ortiga, Ph.D., Research Fellow, Nanyang Technological University
72. Selen Ozcelik, Graduate Student, The New School for Social Research
73. Remrick Patagan, Research Director, Institute for Development and Econometric Analysis, Inc.
74. JC Albert Peralta, Research Assistant, Ateneo de Manila University
75. Cilicia Uzziel Perez, Graduate Student, National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines Diliman
76. Jan Carlo Punongbayan, Ph.D. Student, School of Economics, University of the Philippines Diliman
77. Jomar Rabajante, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics, University of the Philippines Los Ba~nos
78. Radine Rafols, Consultant, Asian Development Bank
79. Vicente Reventar III, Lecturer, John Gokongwei School of Management, Ateneo de Manila University
80. Reinabelle Reyes, Ph.D., Lecturer, Department of Information Systems and Computer Science, Ateneo de Manila University
81. Rosula Reyes, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Electronics, Computer,
and Communications Engineering, Ateneo de Manila University
82. Nigel Rimando, Instructor, Department of Mathematics, Ateneo de Manila University
83. Joseph Roxas, Researcher, Savvysherpa, Inc.
84. Kidjie Saguin, Research Assistant, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore
85. Joel Sanqui, Professor of Statistics, Appalachian State University
86. Kurt Gerrard See, Ph.D. Student, Department of Economics, University of Minnesota
87. Julius Sempio, Research Associate, PHL-Microsat DPAD
88. Francis James Singun, Business Analytics Lead
89. Beatrice Victoria Sison, Data Science Analyst, DataSeer
90. Aivin Solatorio, Lead Data Scientist, Kalibrr
91. Kimberly Solon, Ph.D. Candidate, Lund University
92. Kendall Stephenson, Legislative Financial Analyst, New York City Council
93. Marion Lara Tan, Instructor, Department of Finance and Accounting, Ateneo de Manila University
94. Martha Lauren Tan, Lecturer, Department of Quantitative Methods and Information Technology, Ateneo de Manila University
95. Randy Tua~no, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Ateneo de Manila University
96. Jerrold Tubay, D.Sc., Assistant Professor, Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics, University of the Philippines Los Banos
97. Jerome Unidad, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Researcher, Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH
98. Alvin Patrick Valentin, Instructor, Department of Quantitative Methods and Information Technology, Ateneo de Manila University
99. Michael Francis Ian Vega, Ph.D., Associate Professor, National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines Diliman
100. John Paul Vergara, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Information Systems and Computer Science, Ateneo de Manila University
101. Deborah Villa, Lecturer, Department of Environmental Science, Ateneo de Manila University
102. Alyson Yap, M.B.A., Instructor, Department of Quantitative Methods and Information Technology, Ateneo de Manila University
103. Andrew Yap, Analytics Consulting Lead, Nexus Technologies, Inc.
104. William Yu, Lecturer, Ateneo de Manila University
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