Comelec starts probe on video allegedly showing ballot pre-shading —spox

Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesman James Jimenez on Thursday said the poll body is starting an investigation on a video showing alleged pre-shading of ballots.

"I saw a video this morning and we're actually initiating investigation on to that," Jimenez said in an interview on GMA News TV's News To Go.

"A few things to note on that particular video, however, there is no internal evidence to show where it happened, who did it," he added.

At a separate press conference, Jimenez said the Comelec is not dismissing the video as fake.

He called on the uploader of the video to come out and file a complaint before the Comelec.

"We encourage whoever has information on this video to come forward and file a complaint... if it's the original uploader themselves, then so much the better," Jimenez said.

Sought for comment, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said it was proper for the Comelec to conduct an investigation.

"That’s their turf, hindi tayo puwedeng makialam diyan sa ngayon," he told reporters.

In a tweet, Jimenez sought help from the public in probing a video which shows the alleged pre-shading of ballots in the province of Lanao Del Sur.

"I’m asking for help investigating both this video and the content it shows," Jimenez said in a tweet.

I’m asking for help investigating both this video and the content it shows. #VoterEd #NLE2019 https://t.co/TeOnkKz1nE

— James Jimenez (@jabjimenez) May 15, 2019

He pointed out that there is only little information about the said video as the one who had uploaded it on social media remains unknown. Moreover, information on exactly when and where the video was taken has not yet been verified.

"We don't know who uploaded it; we don’t know for certain when it was uploaded; no idea who the persons are; we don’t know where the video was shot, etc. These are what we need help with," Jimenez said.

Notice how little information we have about the video & what it shows. We dont know who uploaded it; we don’t know for certain when it was uploaded; no idea who the persons are; we don’t know where the video was shot, etc. These are what we need help with. #VoterEd #NLE2019 https://t.co/HbrpJgAzLE

— James Jimenez (@jabjimenez) May 16, 2019

The 39-second video circulating online showed a woman who supposedly pre-shaded some ballots. — Anna Felicia Bajo with Virgil Lopez/MDM/RSJ, GMA News