In an interview with SMNI News, SAGIP Party-list Representative and Senatorial Aspirant Rodante Marcoleta said it is not right to use the Abscbn franchise to get the people's votes. He also challenged the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to penalize candidates who vi0late the election rules.
“Kung talagang matibay ang kanilang paninindigan, ngayon pa lang nanawagan na ako sa COMELEC, sapagkat kapag sila’y nangako na ibabalik nila ang ABS CBN, ngayon pa lang nalabag na nila ang Article 22 Sec. 261 ng Omnibus Election Code,” said Marcoleta.
According to Article 22 Sec. 261 of the Omnibus Election Code:
the following shall be guilty of an election offense: (a) Vote-buying and vote-selling. – (1) Any person who gives, offers or promises money or anything of value, gives or promises any office or employment, franchise or grant, public or private, or makes or offers to make an expenditure, directly or indirectly, or cause an expenditure to be made to any person, association, corporation, entity, or community in order to induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate xxx”.
It will be recalled that some candidates have already promised to return the Abscbn franchise in case they are elected to the position they are running for.
Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is one of them who said that the Abscbn franchise will be restored if the members of the opposition win in 2022. “Mark my words, ABSCBN’s franchise would be granted once the opposition wins in 2022.” said Trillanes.
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