The Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) rejected Thursday calls for movie and television stars as well as media personalities to take a leave of absence from their work if they are endorsing or campaigning for candidates running in the May 10, 2010 automated elections.

The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) had earlier called on entertainment personalities who endorse or campaign for candidates to take a leave of absence from their shows during the campaign period.

In a television interview, Director Ferdinand Rafanan of the Comelec Law Department said that media personalities involved in the political campaign to immediately take a leave of absence from their work or face sanctions.

Rafanan said Republic Act 9006 or the Fair Elections Act is explicit on the ruling, which include all “mass media columnist, commentator, announcer, reporter, on-air correspondent or personality.”

“Clearly this includes actors, actresses, making appearances on behalf of or endorsing a candidate… [specifically] during the official campaign period,” he states.

The campaign period for national candidates began on February 9 and will end on May 8, while the campaign period for local candidates will start on March 26.

Leo Martinez, FAP director general, questioned the call, assailing the seeming “haziness” of the law.

“[The law] is not clear…it is very ambiguous. It doesn’t state who or what is covered specifically… somebody who appears on print ads? On commercials? Employed or merely commissioned? What if I just stand with the candidate on same stage because...well, because I believe in him or her? Can I be held liable? I don’t think that’s right. [The Comelec] should clear this first.”

Martinez said the law is detrimental to “freedom of expression.”

“This is wrong. We all have our choices. Freedom of expression applies to all.”

Re-electionist Senator Lito Lapid, a former actor, says: “Why do actors always get the grilling?

“Actors who endorse candidates are merely doing it as a livelihood and the politicians getting their services are paying for it willingly so… I see no problem,” he explains in Filipino. “Whoever thought of [those sanctions] is trying to grab media mileage.”

The elder Lapid’s sentiment is echoed by his son, former Pampanga Governor Mark Lapid, also a former actor.

Rafanan insists those caught violating the provision will be punished.

“An election offense is punishable by one to six years imprisonment, disenfranchisement, and disqualification from holding public office.”

But as to how they would actually implement sanctions, Rafanan seemed vague.

“We can do it but it's better if there is a [third-party] complaint,” he says.

Section 6.6 of the Fair Elections Act reads: “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 [his] employer, or shall take a leave of absence from his/her work as such during the campaign period: Provided, That any media practitioner who is an official of a political party or a member of the campaign staff of a candidate or political party shall not use his/her time or space to favor any candidate or political party.”

The Comelec earlier advised the public to report election violations by calling 525-9302; 525-9297; 525-9345; 525-9296; 525-9335; 525-9294; 527-5575; and 527-0821.

Among candidates with celebrity endorsers, Senator Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III leads the pack with almost all of the big stars in his sister, Kris Aquino’s home network ABS CBN, pledging him support including but not limited to: Vilma Santos, Boy Abunda, Sharon Cuneta, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Anne Curtis, Erik Santos, Bea Alonzo, Gretchen Barretto, Mariel Rodriguez, Sitti, Pooh, and Kim Chiu.

Some of GMA 7’s biggest also promised support to Aquino, including Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Kris Bernal, and Aljur Abrenica.

Senator Manuel Villar’s endorsers include a mix of personalities from different media platforms including Dolphy, Sarah Geronimo, Michael V, Willie Revillame, Manny Pacquiao, and the band 6cyclemind.

Administration bet Gilbert Teodoro has the band Rivermaya.

Religious leader Eddie Villanueva has rapper Gloc-9 and Gary Valenciano.

Former President Joseph Estrada has Armida Siguion Reyna, Rez Cortez, Lorna Tolentino, Aiko Melendez, and Eddie Garcia as supporters.