ABS-CBN Releases Official Statement on COMELEC and PPCRV Position on the Use of Talents

In response to COMELEC and PPCRV election ruling on celebrities endorsing candidates, ABS-CBN released an official statement this afternoon pointing out a loophole in this law. According to the Kapamilya network, talents are not employees of the ABS-CBN, hence the ruling "does not apply to them."

Here's the Kapamilya network's statement in full:

"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.

"The provision of law cited by the PPCRV [Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting] 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."