Montano in trouble with Comelec over EDSA docu

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday ordered administration senatorial candidate and actor Cesar Montano and a cable network to show cause why they should not be charged with violating the Fair Elections Act. Earlier, the Comelec received reports that a cable channel recently showed a documentary on the 1986 People Power EDSA Revolution with Montano as the narrator even after the actor has filed his certificate of candidacy. The Fair Elections Act (RA 9006), prohibits the showing of a documentary portrayed by an actor who is himself running for election during the campaign period. In contrast, Abalos gave the green light for the television coverage of boxing champion Manny Pacquiao's fight in April even if the latter files his certificate of candidacy to run for public office in the May 14, 2007 elections. "There is already an order on candidate Cesar Montano and or the studio responsible for the showing of this to explain and show cause why they should not be cited for violation of the provisions of the Fair Elections Act," Abalos told reporters in a press briefing. "It was endorsed by the law department. I think they (Montano and the cable channel) were given three days (to comply with the order)." RA No. 9006 provides, among others that: "No movie, cinematograph or documentary portrayed by an actor or media personality who is himself a candidate shall likewise be publicly exhibited in a theater or any public forum during the campaign period." However, Abalos gave Montano credit for the removal of billboard advertisement along EDSA and other sites in Metro Manila, showing the actor endorsing various commercial products. In a television interview, Montano noted that he did the documentary over five years ago and that he has no more control over the showing of the material. Still, Montano said he would talk to those responsible for the showing of the documentary and appeal to them to comply with election rules. "I don't own the documentary, I was merely hired to act as the narrator. In addition this documentary is not about my life, it's about EDSA," Montano said. "And since I am not the owner of the documentary, I have no control over its showing. I was not consulted before it was shown (on television). I asked my lawyers to talk to the appropriate people to stop its showing because it could jeopardize my candidacy," he added. Regarding the showing of Pacquiao's fight, Abalos said there is no prohibition against it being a "current event of national interest." "This is not [a] commercial. This is current event of national interest. That's why we are asking them to submit a letter to find out what it is that would go along this, so we would know if there is any prohibited material that may be included in the showing of the event," Abalos said. "All current events are allowed because if you would need a permit for showing such event that would already constitute a curtailment of the freedom of speech. We don't want to curtail anything here." However, Abalos said that the inclusion of TV ads, with Pacquiao endorsing various products, is prohibited from being shown in the coverage of the boxing champion's fight if indeed he files a certificate of candidacy. Pacquiao is eyeing a seat in the House of Representatives for South Cotabato. The deadline for the filing of candidacy for the position is on March 29. But reports Monday said he has dropped his plan to seek a congressional seat. The boxing champ has reportedly earned mega bucks for his endorsement of various products in TV ads. Among others, Pacquiao has TV ads endorsing a brand of beer, a fast-food chain, various products from food and beverage giant San Miguel, medicine for body pains, automotive battery, and a brand of socks. - GMANews.TV