GMA Network advises talents to go on leave if they continue endorsing candidates

GMA Network has advised its talents who continue to endorse candidates in the May 10 elections to take a leave of absence for the entire stretch of the campaign period. "GMA Network is advising its talents that they have to take a leave of absence if they continue to campaign for or endorse candidates or political parties during the campaign period, even if the taping of their participation in the promotion or plug of the candidate was done before the campaign period," the network statement read. "GMA Network’s talents, who appeared in political ads or advocacy plugs before February 9, are advised to notify the candidates concerned or those responsible for placing these political plugs not to air them during the campaign period," it added. The network issued the statement in response to a reminder from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on the provision stated under Republic Act 9006 or the Fair Elections Act prohibiting actors from making anymore appearances once they endorse or volunteer for a candidate during the campaign period. Under Section 6.6 of the said law, media practitioners and personalities are required to either resign or take a leave of absence if they continue to show their support for candidates through print and broadcast media. The campaign period for national candidates began on February 9 and will end on May 8. The campaign period for local candidates will start on March 26 and will end also on May 8. Certain candidates in this year's elections are relying on celebrity endorsements to jazz up their television and radio advertisements, with some tagging the help of famous singers, bands, and movie stars. Nacionalista Party standardbearer Manuel "Manny" Villar earlier said the Comelec should leave celebrities alone, because it was their right to support their favored candidates. Lawyer Sixto Brillantes of the Liberal Party claimed some celebrities had begun expressing deep concern about the matter, saying they did not want to lose their jobs just because they endorsed a bet. Most of the celebrity endorsers are talents of GMA Network and ABS-CBN. On Thursday, ABS-CBN issued a statement reiterating that its "policy is consistent with the Fair Elections Act. Our on-cam talents are prohibited from using ABS-CBN programs and platforms during the official campaign period, in whatever form or manner, to favor any political candidate, political party or party list organization." - Mark Merueñas/RSJ, GMANews.TV