'It’s Showtime' contestant clueless on Comelec invited to briefing by poll body chair

Metro Manila, Philippines - A 20-year-old "It's Showtime" contestant, who admitted in a now-viral episode that she is not knowledgeable about the Commission on Elections (Comelec), has been invited to a voter education briefing by the poll chairman himself.

In a text message to reporters on Monday, March 3, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said he invited contestant Heart Aquino to the Comelec headquarters for Tuesday.

Garcia mentioned that Aquino will travel from Pampanga to Intramuros, Manila for the meeting.

“We fully understand her. Maaring marami pa na katulad niya na kabataan o mga Filipino. It is our solemn duty to explain who we are and what we are doing,” Garcia said.

Asked about the purpose of the briefing, Garcia replied, “For our full understanding as to why. It is our failure. We have to immediately rectify.”

Aquino was a contestant in the "Sexy Babe" segment of the noontime show. In clips circulating on social media, host Vice Ganda asked her to give a message to the Comelec.

“Sorry po hindi po ako masyadong knowledgeable about sa Comelec,” Aquino said, prompting the host to ask her age. She responded that she was 20.

“Oh my gosh, that’s bothersome,” Vice Ganda said.

After further prodding from the hosts, Aquino revealed that she had never voted in any elections. She explained that she does not own a television and has not come across the Comelec on social media.

The hosts then took the opportunity to explain the functions of the Comelec so that Aquino could give a message.

“Siguro ang message ko po sa kanila, let’s be fair po dahil po meron po tayong mga ano sa, kahit barangay lang ‘yan, ‘yung mga bayad-bayad ng votes. So, let’s be fair po siguro dahil deserve natin ‘yung uupo na talagang merong ibibigay sa atin na meron tayo talagang — lahat tayo sa community na mapapakinabangan at hindi, ganoon (gestures hand taking something),” Aquino said.

[Translation: Maybe my message to them would be, let’s be fair because we have issues, even just in the barangay, like vote-buying. So, let’s be fair because we deserve to have someone in office who will truly give something to us, someone who will benefit everyone in the community, not just taking money.]

Garcia acknowledged that there is a need to intensify voter education efforts.

“If she is converted as a believer, then we can perhaps do the same for others,” he said.