Edu to Comelec: Suspend rule on celeb endorsers

Lakas-Kampi-CMD vice presidential bet Edu Manzano on Friday requested the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to temporarily suspend the implementation of a resolution that would force celebrity endorsers to take a leave of absence from their showbiz work. Through lawyer Romulo Macalintal, Manzano requested the poll body to review and reconsider Section 36 of Comelec Resolution 8758 which restricts the campaign propaganda of candidates and implements section 6.6 of Republic Act 9006 or the Fair Elections Act. Section 6.6 of the Fair Elections Act reads: "Any mass media columnist, commentator, announcer, reporter, on-air correspondent or personality who is a candidate for any elective public office or is a campaign volunteer for or employed or retained in any capacity by any candidate or political party shall be deemed resigned, if so required by [his] employer, or shall take a leave of absence from his/her work as such during the campaign period." Ferdinand Rafanan, director of the Comelec Law Department, said that actors and media personalities should resign or take a leave of absence from their shows during the campaign period. 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 also end on May 8. Why single out actors? But Macalintal asserted that it was not clearly stated that media personalities include actors. "Bakit mga artista? Bakit mga artista ang sasabihing personalities? Bakit sinasabing sila ang may impluwensya?(Why actors? Are personalities specifically actors? Are they the only ones who are influential?)," he told reporters. Further, Macalintal said that the provision that would bar actors from working is discriminatory. "Para kay Mr. Manzano ito ay discriminatory, violation of the equal protection clause of the constitution, para bang hindi pantay ang tingin ng batas (For Mr. Manzano this is discriminatory, it is a violation of the equal protection clause of the constitution, it's like the law is unequal)," he said. He added that the provision would also violate the actors' right to free expression and right to enter into a contract. "Kung sa labas na ng iyong programa at ikaw ay mangangampanya, wala nang problema yun dahil iyon ay bahagi na ng iyong karapatan, that is part of your freedom of expression... tsaka yung sinasabi nilang sa kontrata na sinasabing pinasok ng mga kandidato at artista, papaano naman ang mga kontratang ito?," he said. (If you are campaigning outside your show, it should not be a problem because that is part of your rights, that is part of your freedom of expression... and what about the contract entered into by actors and candidates?) Source of livelihood Macalintal also said it is unfair that actors who currently have no shows would not suffer any consequences should they decide to endorse or campaign for a candidate. Still, Macalintal said that Manzano's request is not only for the protection of his own rights and interest, but likewise in defense of his fellow celebrities who would supposedly be "deprived" of their source of livelihood. "Samahan ninyo si Mr. Edu Manzano sa petisyong ito at hingin natin sa Comelec na isuspinde muna ang implementasyon ng resolusyon (You should help Edu Manzano in this petition asking the Comelec to temporarily suspend the implementation of the resolution)," he said. Comelec Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer said the Comelec en banc plans to come out with guidelines regarding the issue. Among the endorsers of Senator Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III are Vilma Santos, Kris Aquino, Boy Abunda, Sharon Cuneta, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Anne Curtis, Erik Santos, Bea Alonzo, Gretchen Barretto, Mariel Rodriguez, Sitti, Pooh, Kim Chiu, Kris Bernal amd Aljur Abrenica. Senator Manuel Villar’s endorsers include Dolphy, Sarah Geronimo, Michael V, Willie Revillame, Manny Pacquiao, and Richard Gutierrez. Administration bet Gilbert Teodoro has the Rivermaya band as endorser. Religious leader Eddie Villanueva has Gloc-9, and Gary Valenciano and family. Former President Joseph Estrada has Lorna Tolentino, Aiko Melendez and Eddie Garcia as endorsers. - Kim Tan/RSJ, GMANews.TV