The long-running primetime series ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’ is facing scrutiny after veteran election lawyer Romulo Macalintal urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to educate the show’s producers and actors about election laws.
This comes after a recent episode contained a misleading portrayal of “premature campaigning”, which no longer exists under Philippine election law.
In the March 5 episode of ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’, the fictional Mayor of Manila (played by Albert Martinez) confronted the Vice Mayor (Chanda Romero) about alleged premature campaigning. However, Macalintal pointed out that there is no law prohibiting premature campaigning in the country’s automated elections.
“Candidates should know that there is no more premature campaigning under the law. Chairman George Garcia of the Comelec has repeatedly explained this, yet misleading information continues to spread,” Macalintal said in a statement.
He further noted that many scenes from the episode were filmed at Manila City Hall, which could reflect poorly on local officials, particularly Mayor Honey Lacuna, who might not appreciate her administration being depicted as unaware of election laws.
Macalintal suggested that, similar to how a contestant from ‘It’s Showtime’ was invited to the Comelec office after admitting to having little knowledge of the commission, the producers and scriptwriters of ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’ should also be briefed on proper election rules.
“It is the responsibility of Batang Quiapo’s producers to ensure that their viewers receive accurate and factual information about election regulations, especially now that the show has shifted to an election-themed storyline,” he emphasized.
Beyond election law misrepresentation, Macalintal also criticized the show’s frequent portrayal of gun violence, reminding its producers that an election gun ban is currently in effect.
“With the country preparing for elections, it is important to be mindful of how gun-related scenes are portrayed, as they could send the wrong message to the public,” he warned.
Now in its third year on air, ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’ continues to be the most-watched TV series in the Philippines, maintaining high ratings since its February 13, 2023 premiere.
The show’s latest season focuses more on sociopolitical themes, which has brought greater attention to how it portrays governance, law enforcement, and public service.
As of now, ABS-CBN and the producers of ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’ have yet to issue a statement in response to Macalintal’s comments. The issue has sparked debate among viewers, with some agreeing that the show should be careful about spreading misinformation, while others argue that it remains a work of fiction.
