Two rival opposition parties Friday blasted the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for warning entertainment celebrities that they face criminal complaints and even jail terms if they defy a law banning celebrity endorsements of candidates in the May 10 general elections. The Liberal Party (LP) of leading presidential candidate Senator Noynoy Aquino said the Comelec should differentiate between showbiz personalities who are paid and those who are making political endorsements for free. “It should be clear that the spirit of the law is referring to paid endorsers, not volunteer supporters. It is the right of every citizen, whether an actor or not, to volunteer and support his candidate,” said Yolanda Ong, a member of the LP communications team. Aquino's spokesman Edwin Lacierda claimed none of the celebrities who have endorsed the LP standard bearer was paid a single centavo.“It's a strong and firm belief from among the celebrities that Noy is the best leader to govern the country and rid the government of corruption,” Lacierda said. Among the presidential aspirants, Aquino has the most number of celebrity endorsers including his own sister celebrity host Kris Aquino. Among his other celebrity endorsers are Boy Abunda, Gretchen Barretto, Vilma Santos, Sharon Cuneta, Ai-Ai Delas Alas, Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Anne Curtis, Erik Santos, Bea Alonzo, Mariel Rodriguez, Sitti, Pooh, Kim Chiu, Kris Bernal, and Aljur Abrenica. Kris Aquino said the regulation violates her civil rights, and that she is ready to go to jail in protest. “I cannot understand why my freedon of expression and my right as a Filipino citizen are being curtailed,” she said. LP campaign manager Butch Abad said the Comelec regulation is “confusing” and “highly irregular.” “The Supreme Court reversed a 100-year-old policy that requires appointive officials to resign when they file their certificate of candidacy. They are able to use and employ the influence of their office to have undue advantage in the election. And now, these entertainers, these volunteers, you are making them suffer by forcing them to forgo their livelihood? They are only exercising their right to free speech,” Abad said. The Nacionalista Party (NP) of second-running presidential bet Senator Manny Villar also questioned the Comelec resolution. NP senatorial bet Adel Tamano, a constitutional law professor, said the policy violates the Constitution. “The Comelec resolution implementing section 6 of the Fair Elections Act mandating that celebrity endorsers go on leave is unconstitutional and violates the rights of freedom of association and expression,” Tamano said. “Why should celebrities be penalized for expressing their support for candidates? They are covered by the same rights to express their opinions and support candidates that they like, which is a right of all Filipino citizens, so why single them out?” Tamano asked. Villar is being endorsed by top comedian Dolphy Quizon, variety show host Willie Revillame, singer-actress Sarah Geronimo, and world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao. The Comelec insisted that the law is clear that celebrities who endorse candidates are considered campaigners or campaign volunteers.
