Chanda Romero and Albert Martinez for a scene in “Batang Quaipo”. Screengrab from ABS-CBN/ TikTok

Popular TV series “Batang Quiapo” came under fire after prominent election lawyer Romulo Macalintal asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to “educate” the show’s producer about factual errors in one of its scenes featuring “premature campaigning.”

Macalintal’s comment stemmed from Comelec Commissioner George Garcia’s remark that he is taking responsibility for public’s seeming lack of awareness about the poll body and its mandate after a candidate in a beauty pageant segment on the noontime show, “It’s Showtime,” said she had little to no knowledge about Comelec.

While the show is fictitious, Macalintal saw the need for the Comelec chair to educate the producer of “Batang Quiapo,” and the artists involved in the scene which aired last March 5. The scene showed the Manila mayor, portrayed by actor Albert Martinez, confronting the vice mayor, played by actress Chanda Romero, for alleged “premature campaigning.”

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“Chairman Garcia has repeatedly explained that there is no law prohibiting premature campaigning in the country,” the lawyer said in a statement on Sunday.

“[F]or sure, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna would not like any of her officials to be depicted as one who is ignorant of election laws since most of the election-related scenes in that episode were actually shot at the premises of Manila City Hall,” he added.

“Thus, like that beauty contestant, the producer of Batang Quiapo and Martinez should also be invited by the Comelec to its office to ‘educate’ them of election laws and rules, especially now that the new storyline of Batang Quiapo has shifted to election as its main attraction,” he further said.

Aside from this, Macalintal said the show’s producer and scriptwriter “should be reminded of the gun ban rules considering the massive display of high power firearms and ammunitions and gun fights scenes in most of its episodes.”

“It is the responsibility of Batang Quiapo producers to see to it that its viewers get the right and correct information about our election rules so as not to cause any confusion among the electorate on such an important and sensitive issue and other election-related matters,” he concluded.

Earlier this month, TV host and comedian Vice Ganda couldn’t help but be seemingly “alarmed” over a contestant in the “Sexy Babe” beauty pageant segment, said she has little to no knowledge about the poll body.

“Oh my gosh, that is bothersome,” Vice Ganda responded upon knowing that the contestant was already 20 years old.