THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has no power to stop politicians from airing infomercials during commercial gaps of the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto bout in Las Vegas when it is shown live in theaters on Nov. 15.Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said: "I don’t see how we can (regulate) kasi prior to actual filing of certificate of candidacy (COC), we don’t really have jurisdiction on the matter. At this point, we can treat them as private citizens and they can do whatever they want."
During the Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton bout last May, political advertisements dotted the fight telecast, including those of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Sen. Mar Roxas II.
Several sectors said the presence of such infomercials is already an election offense since politicians are already campaigning outside the Comelec-designated period.
Jimenez, however, noted that the Pacquiao fight is prior to the period for filing of COC which is from Nov. 20 to Dec. 1.
"It’s the filing of the COC that is essentially the threshold. That’s when we start say that the Comelec has authority to regulate your public appearances especially with regards to your campaign. But before that, it’s really free expression," he said.
The campaign period is from Feb. 9, 2010 to May 8, 2010.
Section 85 of the Omnibus Election Code prohibits the show or display publicly of any advertisement or propaganda for or against any candidate by means of cinematography, audio-visual units or other screen projections outside the designated campaign period.
Source: http://www.malaya.com.ph/11052009/news/news7.html
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