VIRAL: Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo Committed an Election Offense?

After a very stressful and controversial campaign period, the moment of truth has come. The social media are now being bombarded by several updates about the election. One of the most viral is the issue of committing election offense of love team KathNiel. There are a lot of pictures and posts showing Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo takes photos inside their voting precincts and showing their ballots. There is even one picture showing Bernardo, while she is shading her ballot.

A lot of netizens reacted negatively towards these photos saying that this is a form of special treatment and a clear election offense, which should be actioned immediately by the COMELEC.

As COMELEC Resolution No. 10047 No 10088 Section 20 lays out the prohibited acts inside the voting precinct:
-Bring the ballot, ballot secrecy folder, marking pen or voter’s receipt outside of the polling place

-Speak with anyone other than persons authorized to be inside the polling place
-Prepare his or her ballot by using the ballot secrecy folder or to exhibit its contents

-Fill out his or her ballot is accompanied by another, except in the case of an illiterate or a person with disability

-Erase any printing from the ballot or put any distinguishing mark on the ballot

-Use capturing devices, including, but not limited to, digital cameras, or cellular phones for whatever purpose while inside the polling place

-Intentionally tear or deface the ballot

-Disrupt or attempt to disrupt the VCM’s normal operations

On his Twitter account, COMELEC spokesperson, James Jimenez posted a response with regard to the issue:

Ignorance of the law excuses no one. If a citizen commits an offense, he/she should face the consequences, whether or not he/she is a celebrity. 🙂

Sources: PinoyTrending / GetRealPhilippines / Inquirer 

The Confidential Files