The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has invited a Showtime contestant for a guided tour on Tuesday, March 4, following her viral admission that she was unaware of the poll body’s existence.
COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia emphasized that the invitation aims to educate her—and others like her—on the agency’s role in Philippine elections.
“We fully understand her. There may be more young people or Filipinos in the same situation. It is our duty to explain who we are and what we do,” Garcia said.
The 20-year-old contestant sparked discussions after admitting on national TV that she had “limited” knowledge of COMELEC and was not a registered voter. Host Vice Ganda was visibly shocked, calling the revelation “bothersome.”
COMELEC Sees It as a Wake-Up Call
Garcia expressed disappointment over the incident, calling it a sign that voter education efforts need improvement.
“It feels like a failure on our part. It seems we haven’t fully informed the public about our duties and the upcoming elections,” he said.
COMELEC is also considering involving the contestant in its youth voter education campaign, hoping that her experience could inspire others to become more politically aware.