Cebu bet faces poll charges

CEBU CITY — Gov. Pablo Garcia is poised to sue Vice Gov. Fernando Celeste for allegedly continuing to stay on his radio program even after he has filed his certificate of candidacy, in violation of election laws.

The governor said Abag-Promdi will continue to monitor Celeste’s radio time slots in order to have a basis for filing a complaint with the Commission on Elections.

Celeste could be disqualified from running for any public office if found to have violated election laws.

But lawyer Roldan Mangubat, the spokesman of Celeste, said Garcia was merely looking for technicalities against Celeste "for lack of better things to do."

A colleague of Celeste indicated that the vice governor has already filed a leave of absence from the station after he filed his certificate of candidacy together with other Alayon members last Feb. 8.

Celeste, however, continues to be heard on air as a guest on his program, now anchored by his colleague Cesar Albor.

Celeste, with board member John Henry Gregory Osmeña as his runningmate, is set to contest the reelection bid of Garcia who will be running with former Rep. Celestino Martinez Jr.

Comelec Regional Director Juan Peque earlier said his office would only start investigating Celeste if a complaint is formally filed.

Garcia said the party intends to call the attention of Comelec to compel the agency to enforce its rules and regulations on leveling the field of campaign privileges.

In a Comelec resolution issued in 1992, all political candidates holding posts in media are required to take a leave of absence after they file their certificates of candidacy.

Mangubat said Celeste is aware of the election laws, that is why he stopped all commentaries, especially those political in nature, after he filed his certificate of candidacy.

The law lifting the media ad ban provides that broadcasters seeking elective posts shall take a leave of absence from any radio or TV station. — Freeman News Service