Manila, Philippines – The producers of “FPJ’s Ang Batang Quiapo” will visit the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday following a factual error in one of the show’s scenes about election laws.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia confirmed the meeting, stating that the show’s March 5 episode misrepresented the premature campaigning rule.
The Controversial Scene
In the episode, a fictional Manila mayor (Albert Martinez) confronted the vice mayor (Chanda Romero) for alleged premature campaigning. However, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal pointed out that the Supreme Court had ruled that premature campaigning does not exist before candidates officially file their certificates of candidacy (COCs).
“While the characters are fictional, the laws are not,” Garcia stated, emphasizing the need to correct misinformation for millions of viewers.
Calls for Responsible Storytelling
Macalintal urged the Batang Quiapo team to ensure accurate depictions of election laws to prevent misinforming the public.
This controversy follows a similar issue with a contestant on “It’s Showtime,” who admitted to having limited knowledge about Comelec, prompting a tour of the poll body’s headquarters.