No rest from intrigue for these celebrities on Election Day. Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo are currently under fire online after they cast their votes on Mon, May 9.
The “Teen King and Queen” of Philippine show business were among the first celebrities to vote today, with an ABS-CBN TV crew following them every step of the way.
The two celebs endorsed Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo during the election campaign period.
These photos, however, quickly became controversial as netizens alleged that they show the two stars doing something prohibited by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) during election day.
As numerous reports have already pointed out before today, voters are not allowed to to take a photo of their ballots, marked or otherwise. In fact, last month, the COMELEC investigated incidents of overseas absentee voters who took selfies with their ballots.
Taking photos and videos inside the polling place is also an election offense. The COMELEC even reminded voters to only take selfies once they are outside the polling place.
Voters are also not allowed to have campaign materials in voting precincts, CNN Philippines reports. And as netizens pointed out based, Kathryn was wearing Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo ballers at the voting precinct.
The ABS-CBN News Twitter account also posted a photo of Kathryn showing off her ballot inside the polling place. The photo was deleted, but netizens claim they have taken a screengrab of the said picture.
Dear #kathrynbernardo and #danielpadilla. Be a good example to your million of followers. Bawal ito! pic.twitter.com/dRIisnZgOK
— Sean E. (@poet512) May 9, 2016
The COMELEC is yet to issue a statement whether what Daniel and Kathryn did was actually illegal. But netizens, of course, quuickly slammed the love team for the photos.
Sana may Kathryn Bernardo at Daniel Padilla sa balota para maiboto ko sila hahahaha daig pa nila ang mga kandidato eh.
— ARJ (@15_margiecastro) May 9, 2016
So… even if it happened to be legal to take pictures with unshaded ballots, Kathryn Bernardo has a RoRo baller. GG pa rin siya.
— despair tire (@Olizoned) May 9, 2016
question @gmanews @COMELEC .Will Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo be imprisoned for committing an election offense? d evidence went viral
— Cielomar Carrot (@cielomifico) May 9, 2016
Some netizens, however, pointed out that it was the media covering Daniel and Kathryn who are to blame for the photo.
Ang mga bumoboto ang kumuha ng Letrato kina Kathryn bernardo, at kay Daniel padilla. Kahit ano nalang napapansin nyo!#PINOYS
— Manong-Dugs (@ErwinOronann) May 9, 2016
Whatever the case is, we hope to hear from the parties involved soon.
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