Comelec speaks up on KathNiel photo

Comelec speaks up on KathNiel photo

The two stars pose for photos with their ballots

MANILA, Philippines – On May 9, Election Day, Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla voted in separate polling precincts but photos of the two immediately went viral for supposed election offenses.

In the photos, they are seen posing with their ballots. Kathryn was also spotted wearing campaign baller.

It is an election offense to take photos of ballots (marked or otherwise) and voting receipts. The campaign period also ended on May 7, Saturday. (READ: PHVote 101: How to vote on May 9)

The photos were posted on the Twitter account of ABS-CBN reporter Gretchen Fullido, but had been since taken down.

Other Stories

MMFF extends run until January 14 due to ‘public clamor’

Movie fans get one more week to catch the 10 MMFF entries in the festival’s 50th edition

DA eyes maximum suggested retail price for imported rice

DA chief Francisco Tiu Laurel says the maximum suggested retail price is not the same as a price cap

Golden Globes 2025: A big win for diversity, Asian representation

‘The gates have swung open not only for Japan but also for other Asian countries,’ says Hiroyuki Sanada, who won Best Actor in a Television Series for his role in the samurai series ‘Shogun’

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Andres Bautista was also asked for comment. He said that they could probe the incident, as he had not been made aware of the details.

Kung mayroon maghahain ng complaint, titingnan natin (If someone files a complaint, we shall see),” Bautista said, also reiterating the existing rules and regulations.

Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, however, believes that there is no need to sanction the two. In an interview with ABS-CBN News, she said, “Nakita ko, pinakita ng pamangkin ko, wala namang shadeHindi naman naka-shade ‘yung ballot. At hindi naman siya ang kumuha ng picture sa sarili niya. The voter is not allowed to use her gadget.”

(My [niece/nephew] showed me that nothing was shaded. The ballot was unshaded. Also, they didn’t take their own pictures.)

“Tingnan natin ang circumstances ha, baka kasi may iba pang facts pero sa ngayon…yun lang nangyari bago bumoto, gumanun [posed for a photo]. It does not violate the secrecy of the ballot,” she said.

(Let’s see the circumstances because there might be other facts, but as of now… what just happened is that before they voted, they posed for a photo. It does not violate the secrecy of the ballot.)

Spokesperson James Jimenez earlier tweeted, “Kathryn and Daniel and I need to talk.”

JImenez told the Philippine Star, “For those who willingly and obviously, very openly displayed their ballots, I guess we need to have a talk.”

The two are also being admonished by netizens for their supposed offense. (READ: Guide to the 2016 Philippine elections)

Tweets about kathniel ballot

Bernardo and Padilla are endorsers of Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. – Rappler.com

Got comments, questions, or insights about this story? Head to the pop-culture chat room of the Rappler Communities app, available for iOS, Android, or web. Access our chat rooms by tapping the Community tab on the app. See you there!

Related Posts

Our Privacy policy

https://dailynewsaz.com - © 2025 News