ABS-CBN and GMA-7, two of the country’s biggest television conglomerates, issued contrasting statements regarding a recent Comelec directive that has affected some of their talents.

The Comelec is restricting celebrities from endorsing candidates in the coming polls, warning of punishment for violators. The Comelec made the caveat after the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) appealed to celebrities endorsing candidates to take a leave of absence from their work.

In a TV interview, Ferdinand Rafanan of the Comelec Law Department said the ruling is covered in Republic Act 9006 or the Fair Elections Act.

The poll body issued Comelec Resolution 8758 that provided the implementing rules for RA 9006, February 4.

In their official statement, ABS-CBN is keen on following the law but was explicit in stating that they don’t require their talents to go on leave.

The statement read thus:

“The call for ABS-CBN talents who endorse candidates to go on leave during the campaign period is not required by the Fair Election Act or its implementing rules and regulations. Section 36 of Comelec Resolution No. 8758 in relation to Section 1(4) thereof and the Fair Election Act merely requires that media practitioners such as talents “shall not use his/her time or space to favor any candidate.” In this regard, it is ABS-CBN’s policy that its talents may not use any program to endorse or promote any candidate. This policy is strictly enforced by the network.

"[But] the provision of law cited by the PPCRV and Comelec that requires media personalities to either resign or go on leave applies to employees only. Talents are not employees of the network and, therefore, the said provision does not apply to them. "

According to ABS-CBN's Corporate Communications head Bong Osorio, they won’t prohibit Kapamilya talents from supporting candidates outside of their work.

"Kung anuman ang kanilang gawin—kumanta sumayaw o tumugtog sa isang political gathering o rally—sa kanila na 'yan. Personal decision kasi ‘yan, hindi naman natin mapagbawalan 'yan as an organization," he said.

GMA-7 meanwhile will strictly be imposing the mandate.

"GMA Network is advising its talents that they have to take a leave of absence if they continue to campaign for or endorse candidates or political parties during the campaign period, even if the taping of their participation in the promotion or plug of the candidate was done before the campaign period.

"GMA Network's talents, who appeared in political ads or advocacy plugs before February 9, are advised to notify the candidates concerned or those responsible for placing these political plugs not to air them during the campaign period."