Al Nassr crash out as Kawasaki Frontale reach AFC Champions League Elite final    Saudi and Jordanian foreign ministers discuss Gaza situation    HR Ministry approves regulations for job ads and interviews in private sector    Will US tariff hikes affect Saudi Arabia? Kingdom largely insulated as oil exports remain exempt and non-oil sectors gain a pricing edge    Mataf nearly empty as entry to Makkah restricted to Hajj visa holders    Cinema revenues account for SR845.6 million in 2024 17 Saudi films among 504 films screened    Saudi Transplant Congress discusses scientific advancements and innovations on organ donation and transplantation    Mawani and Alissa Universal Motors sign agreement worth SR300 million to establish Logistics Zone at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam    4 Chinese nationals arrested in Makkah for promoting fake Hajj campaigns    Saudi Arabia urges India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions    Trump congratulates Canada's Carney as they agree to meet in 'near future'    Sánchez vows to uncover reasons behind massive Iberian power outage    Al-Khereiji at BRICS: Saudi Arabia a reliable and neutral partner in endeavors for de-escalating tensions    Al Ahli stun Al Hilal to reach AFC Champions League Elite final    Saudi market shows resilience in Q1 2025 despite global volatility: Report    SR200,000 reward for each player of the Saudi club winning AFC Champions League title    William and Kate celebrate anniversary on Isle of Mull    HONOR KSA expands its presence with new flagship Experience Store in Riyadh HONOR's first flagship store in KSA provides visitors with a premium experience, exciting offers and free services    Rock & Roll Hall of Fame picks Outkast but not Oasis    Duran leads Al Nassr past Yokohama Marinos into AFC Champions League Elite semi-finals    Pakistani star's Bollywood return excites fans and riles far right    Veteran Bollywood actor Manoj Kumar dies at 87    Bollywood actress vindicated over boyfriend's death after media hounding    Grand Mufti rules against posting prayers and preaching in mosques on social media    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



LP, NP score Comelec on star-support ruling
By Jay R. Gotera
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 13 - 02 - 2010

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.


Clic here to read the story from its source.