MANILA - (UPDATED) A Commission on Elections official believes celebrities Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla did not commit an election offense when they showed off their unfilled ballots.

Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon noted that the photos which circulated online showed that the ballots were not yet shaded.

“Nakita ko, pinakita ng pamangkin ko, wala namang shade. Hindi naman naka-shade 'yung ballot. At hindi naman siya ang kumuha ng picture sa sarili niya. The voter is not allowed to use her gadget,” she said.

The photos of KathNiel circulating online showed the celebrities holding their ballots before casting votes in their respective precincts. The photos were not selfies and were taken by an entertainment reporter.

Guanzon was quoted as saying that the two stars were not at fault because the pictures were taken by someone else.

READ: Comelec reminds voters: No selfies with ballots

Earlier, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez called out Bernardo and Padilla after their "ballot photos" went viral.

kathryn and daniel and i need to talk #PiliPinas

— James Jimenez (@jabjimenez) May 9, 2016

Padilla and his mother Karla Estrada voted at the Pasong Tamo Elementary School in Quezon City.

Padilla's rumored girlfriend Kathryn Bernardo, meanwhile, voted at the North Susana Club House in Quezon City.

Both are proud first-time voters, with Bernardo saying she wants to set a good example as a responsible citizen by exercising her right to vote.

But just minutes after casting their votes, the two stars trended on social media after photos of them holding their respective ballots were posted online and immediately drew flak from netizens.