Jamby not yet off the hook on iPad promo

A PUBLIC apology is not enough to clear senatorial aspirant Jamby Madrigal of possible campaign violation regarding her iPad promo online, an official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Friday.

In a press briefing, Comelec law department head Esmeralda Ladra said they will be asking the Team PNoy candidate to explain why her youth volunteers put up the promo as part of her anti-corruption advocacy.

“We would like to get an explanation why we should not file a case against her. We will be sending her a notice,” she said.

Ladra, however, said they will be considering the fact that she has already removed the contest in her official Facebook and Twitter accounts and issuance of an apology.

Madrigal's lawyer Ernesto Francisco declined to comment on the issue in the meantime.

"We have not received anything from the Comelec," he said in a text message to Sun.Star.

Section 97 of the Omnibus Election Code states that “it shall be unlawful for any person to hold dances, lotteries, cockfights, games, boxing bouts, bingo, beauty contests, entertainments, or cinematographic, theatrical or other performances for the purpose of raising funds for an election campaign or for the support of any candidate from the commencement of the election period up to and including election day”.

Vote buying, on the other hand, is defined under Section 261 as “any person who gives, offers or promises money or anything of value… directly or indirectly… in order to induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate.”

Violation of election laws carries a penalty of one to six years imprisonment, removal of right to vote, and prohibition to hold public office.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. earlier said they are studying the possibility of filing an election offense against a senatorial candidate of Team PNoy for offering an iPad to the public via an online contest.

The candidate turned out to be Madrigal, who assured that the incident will not happen again.

“I also gave strict instructions for the volunteers to be very vigilant in observing election rules and laws,” she said last Wednesday. (HDT/Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)