Bongbong Marcos' camp cries foul over emergency alerts that seemed to push his candidacy

The camp of former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. cried foul over the emergency cellphone alerts which appeared to promote his candidacy.

The messages were sent to users in the vicinity of the Sofitel Hotel tent on Wednesday after Marcos filed his certificate of candidacy for president in Eleksyon 2022.

Lawyer Vic Rodriguez, Marcos' chief of staff, said the "illegal" use of the emergency alerts was among the many demolition jobs perpetrated by those who want to frustrate his candidacy.

In a statement, Rodriguez said Marcos and his family also received the alert notification. He called on those behind the cellphone alerts not to mess with the government system solely meant for emergencies.

"We should not tolerate any group or groups underhanded moves to trivialize this very special tool meant to forewarn every single Filipino of an impending, actual or post disaster event or scenario," Rodriguez said.

"To those behind this despicable deed, we appeal that you do not please mess with functioning government system that is purposely meant to save lives just so you may advance your agenda of derailing the candidacy of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.," he added.

The Marcos' camp also backed the swift action of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to investigate the matter.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) already said that it did not issue the message for distribution through its telecommunication partners.

The NDRRMC has been issuing emergency alerts in times of natural calamities such as earthquakes and typhoons.

Commission on Elections spokesperson Director James Jimenez noted that under the Philippine electoral law, there was actually no penalty for the use of emergency channels for campaign purposes.

However, he stressed that the use of the emergency alert system for political propaganda purposes can be deemed as ill-advised, at best. -NB, GMA News