ABS-CBN and GMA have different views on COMELEC's Fair Election Act

COMELEC has a ruling that urges celebrities who endorse a political candidate to take a leave or resign permanently from their tv programs.

The two giant networks have different views on this one. GMA sort of agrees while ABS-CBN believes that their talents are not exactly employees and so are exempted from the ruling.

GMA said:

"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.

"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."

ABS-CBN said:

The call for ABS-CBN talents who endorse candidates to go on leave during the campaign period is not required by the Fair Election Act or its implementing rules and regulations. Section 36 of Comelec Resolution No. 8758 in relation to Section 1(4) thereof and the Fair Election Act merely requires that media practitioners such as talents “shall not use his/her time or space to favor any candidate.” In this regard, it is ABS-CBN’s policy that its talents may not use any program to endorse or promote any candidate. This policy is strictly enforced by the network.

The provision of law cited by the PPCRV and Comelec that requires media personalities to either resign or go on leave applies to employees only. Talents are not employees of the network and, therefore, the said provision does not apply to them.

Meanwhile, Kris Aquino also released her statement on this issue on pep:

"The Comelec wants artists who are actively participating in the campaign to take a leave or be jailed. Since when has it been wrong to make a stand for what you believe? What is so wrong in wanting to take an active role in our democratic process? If it's wrong to care about the Philippines & practice my constitutional rights to free speech & my freedom to vote then jail me and let's go back to the dark days of Martial Law!"

Wow. If COMELEC really pursues this rule, ABS-CBN will be more affected because most of their big stars are BIG PLAYERS in today's political arena such as Kris Aquino, Willie Revillame, Korina Sanchez, Boy Abunda, Sarah Geronimo and others.

photo courtesy of bulatlat.com