WATCH: Comelec warns: Ballot photos an ‘election offense’
MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday warned voters that taking photos of ballots is an election offense.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said rules clearly say that exposing ballots in pictures is an election offense.
“Again, tandaan natin meron tayong rules about how ballots should be cared for, ‘yung mga secrecy ng mga ballot. Again, there are rules that say ‘bawal po 'yan,’” Jimenez told Philstar.com.
Jimenez, however, explained there are instances when photojournalists unintentionally take photos of ballots due to the heat of coverage during elections.
He said that he needs to speak with those who purposely take photos of ballots. Consequences of these election offenses may be taken on a case-to-case basis.
"For those who willingly and obviously, very openly displayed their ballots, I guess we need to have a talk," the Comelec spokesman said.
This was Jimenez’s response when asked about viral photos of celebrities Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla showing their ballots, as well as the photo of vice presidential candidate Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero while voting.
Jimenez: "For those who willingly and obviously... by philstarnews
Text by Rosette Adel; Video by Efigenio Toledo IV
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