Comelec exec clears ‘KathNiel' from election violation

MANILA, Philippines — A Commission on Elections (Comelec) official on Monday cleared Kapamilya stars Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla who are in hot water after photos with their ballots circulated on social media for allegedly violating election rules.

Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said she saw the photo of the celebrities and it appeared that there are no shades of votes yet thus sparing them from violating the ballot secrecy law.

“Parang nakita ko iyan sa Facebook ng pamangkin ko, parang wala naman, parang wala namang shade ‘yon,” Guanzon told the media.

“Hindi pa siguro siya bumoto,” she added.

Guanzon cited that even presidential candidate Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago was captured by the media holding her receipt before she folded it.

The commissioner said the celebrities did not violate the election laws prohibiting them from taking photos of ballots because it is not even them who took their photos but the media. She said the voters are not allowed to bring gadgets such as cellphones while voting in the polling precincts.

“Iba kumuha sa kanya obviously, ‘di siya ang kumuha sa kanya,” Guanzon explained.

Guanzon said she cannot tell yet if there are consequences to Bernardo's and Padilla's for they were not fully aware of the situation. Based on the photos, however, they are not violating the ballot secrecy law.

“Tignan natin ang circumstances ha, kasi baka may iba pang facts… pero sa ngayon ah, ‘yun lang? That's not violating the secrecy of ballot," she said.

Earlier, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez called for a talk with Bernardo and Padilla after photos of the popular love team that went viral.

Video by Efigenio Toledo IV

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