MANILA, Philippines?Enraged by the latest allegation of election fraud, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Jose Melo dared the masked witness to come out and show evidence of his claims.

Appearing at the inquiry of the committee on electoral reforms and suffrage in the House of Representatives Wednesday, Melo said the allegations only intend to "derail the elections."

"He must come out and identify himself and come out with specific charges. He hasn't come out with specific charges . . . and here we are . . . We are all jumping out of our seats," Melo said.

Melo arrived in the chamber with commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal and spokesman James Jimenez. Officials of Smartmatic Inc., the poll body's automation partner, were also present.

Makati Representative Teodoro Locsin Jr., chairman of the committee, said the inquiry aims to hear the complaints of several congressmen about alleged anomaly during the automation process and to find out weaknesses of the system.

Dismissing the statements of the masked man, Melo said they showed up in the hearing to answer questions from the congressmen.

The masked man appeared on video Tuesday and alleged that vote-shaving occurred in the May 10 election to favor a presidential candidate.