Comelec body probes Kris Aquino’s use of PNoy’s chopper

The Commission on Elections' law department is looking into actress-host Kris Aquino's use of a presidential chopper  reportedly during a campaign sortie for administration bet Mar Roxas.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the law department has started studying the matter after photos spread on social media, showing the popular host—the youngest sister of President Benigno Aquino III—alighting a presidential chopper.

Kris and some companions were wearing yellow, the color of the ruling Liberal Party.

While the Comelec has started evaluating the incident, Jimenez said it would be "helpful" if a formal complaint would be filed on the matter.

"There should be a complaint. That would be very helpful, but at the same time kami dito sa Comelec dahil pinag-aaralan na namin, but better ultimately kung may complainant," Jimenez told reporters.

"You have to remember that Comelec is a quasi judicial body, so 'yung mga bagay na 'yan ultimately, kami rin ang magde-desisyon. Ang pangit naman kung with knee-jerk reaction lang," he added.

Some have accused the party of using government resources in campaigning for Roxas and his running-mate, Leni Robredo

Roxas in a news briefing also defended Kris' use of the presidential helicopter.

"I think kasama siya ng pangulo. Diba? Kapatid siya ng pangulo, kapamilya siya ng pangulo, may mga kurtesiya at may mga privileges ang mga sumama sa pangulo. Walang dagdag gastos yun. Kung lumipad man ang pangulo kasabay lang po siya," Roxas said.

Malacañang has also defended the use of the chopper, saying Kris, as well as other members of the President's immediate family, are allowed to ride government vehicles with him.

"I'd like to emphasize these are just pictures that are easy to take out of context," Jimenez said.

"Hindi natin alam kung bakit nandoon si Kris Aquino, bakit siya kasama, hindi natin alam kung sino 'yung nasa entourage ng President or even the itinerary, so these are the things we have to look into before making a decision," he added.

"Hindi ko sinasabi na okay lang 'yung nangyari, pero sinasabi ko 'yung characterization sa kaniya na ginamit for a campaign might be premature for us, for Comelec, to say," Jimenez said.

Jimenez said that the Comelec was so far taking into consideration that the trip was "apparently official," and that there were other people involved.

"Alam rin natin na under CSC (Civil Service Commission) rules, elective officials are not prohibited from partisan political activities," Jimenez said. 

"As far as the Comelec is concerned—kasi ang pinag-uusapan natin dito ay compliance with rules—we have to be more technical. We have to find out kung ano talagang nangyari... So far, I'll say sobrang nipis nu'ng meron kami," he added. —NB, GMA News