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Kapuso stars who campaign for or endorse candidates do not need to take a leave of absence--for now
Kapuso stars can now heave a sigh of relief—momentarily—as GMA Network issued a new statement in connection to the Fair Elections Act or Republic Act 9006. In its new statement, the Kapuso network says it agrees with the interpretation of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and the Comelec's Legal Department of Section 6.6 of the Fair Elections Act, which states: "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 their employer, or shall take a leave of absence from his/her work as such during the campaign period." However, since the Comelec has not yet implemented this particular provision, GMA-7 "will not at this time require its on-cam talents who campaign for or endorse candidates to take a leave of absence from their programs." Here is the complete statement of GMA Network: "GMA Network agrees with the interpretation of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and the Comelec's Legal Department of Section 6.6 of the Fair Elections Act concerning media personalities campaigning for or endorsing candidates. "However, given that Comelec has clarified that it is not yet implementing this particular provision, in fairness to the Network's talents and in order not to put them and the candidates they may be endorsing at a disadvantage, GMA Network will not at this time require its on-cam talents who campaign for or endorse candidates to take a leave of absence from their programs." Some of the Kapuso stars who are running in the May 2010 elections are Bong Revilla (senator), Richard Gomez (congressman, Ormoc City), Christopher de Leon (board member, Batangas), Alfred Vargas (councilor, Quezon City), Ara Mina (councilor, Quezon City). On the other hand, some of the Kapuso stars who are openly endorsing and campaigning candidates are Dingdong Dantes, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, and Marian Rivera for Noynoy Aquino; and Michael V for Manny Villar.-- PEP.ph