An It’s Showtime contestant voter education visit is in the works after a viral moment where she admitted not knowing the Commission on Elections (COMELEC)’s role.
Contestant Heart Aquino admitted during the show’s “Sexy Babe” segment that she was unfamiliar with COMELEC’s mandate. The incident sparked discussions on youth voter awareness, leading COMELEC to invite Aquino for an educational tour—and even consider her as a youth ambassador.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was not worried about the incident, arguing that it did not indicate a failure in the country’s education system.
“The President is not alarmed because, for us, in today’s time, we are doing everything we can to raise the level of our education,” Castro said on Thursday.
She pointed out that the government recently allocated P700 million to construct child service facilities in 229 low-income local government units (LGUs), emphasizing that efforts to improve education remain a priority.
However, Castro also stressed that while the government implements initiatives, Filipino youth must also take responsibility for becoming more informed about social and political issues.
“Perhaps one person’s shortcoming doesn’t immediately reflect a lack in the government’s efforts to improve the quality of education,” she added.
COMELEC Invites Aquino for a Tour
Following the viral incident, COMELEC Chairman George Garcia invited Aquino to visit the commission’s headquarters in Intramuros, Manila, seeing her lack of knowledge as part of a larger issue affecting many young Filipinos.
Aquino accepted the invitation and toured the Palacio del Gobernador on Tuesday, where she met with Garcia and other officials.
During a press conference after the tour, she acknowledged her mistake and said she now better understands COMELEC’s role in the country.
“I now better understand what COMELEC really means and what they actually do,” Aquino told reporters.
She also clarified that she had already voted in the Sangguniang Kabataan (Youth Council) elections, insisting that her comment stemmed from nervousness rather than complete ignorance.
COMELEC Considers Aquino as a Youth Ambassador
COMELEC officials saw Aquino’s case as an opportunity to strengthen voter education.
Atty. Frances Arabe, Director III of COMELEC’s Standards and Innovation Office, said the agency is considering Aquino as a possible youth ambassador to promote electoral awareness.
“Heart seems like someone who could influence the youth… We want to show that COMELEC is willing to reach out to young people and educate them… Heart can be that person,” Arabe said.
Aquino expressed her willingness to take on the role, saying, “It’s an opportunity… Yes, I’m willing to inspire the youth.”
According to COMELEC spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco, the youth sector makes up 31.64% of the country’s 68.4 million registered voters, amounting to 21.6 million young Filipinos aged 18 to 30.
With a significant portion of the electorate being young voters, COMELEC sees the need for stronger engagement and awareness campaigns leading up to the May 2025 elections.
Aquino Responds to Online Backlash
After the viral incident, Aquino became a target of online criticism, with some mocking her for not knowing COMELEC’s mandate. Addressing her detractors, she urged people to stop the negativity.
“Please stop, because they don’t realize the emotional effects of bashing people—not just on me, but also on others,” she said.
Aquino’s case highlights broader concerns about youth awareness of government institutions and their role in the electoral process. While the Palace maintains that education remains a priority, COMELEC is now considering new ways to bridge the information gap—potentially with Aquino’s help.
