Palawan congressional bet denies giving out free movie tickets
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—Former Palawan governor and now congressional candidate for the province’s third district Abraham Kahlil Mitra has denied accusations of giving away free tickets for the block screening of a movie in a cinema in Puerto Princesa City.
Mitra made the statement on Friday night in response to reports that the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) Committee on Kontra Bigay (CKB) has issued a show-cause order against him, asking for an explanation about a post on his Facebook page on April 2 about the free tickets for the April 3 screening of the movie musical “Sinagtala” and another post on April 4 showing his photos with other moviegoers.
The CKB order, dated April 8, told Mitra to reply within a nonextendible period of three days upon receipt and to “explain why a complaint for election offense and/or a petition for disqualification should not be filed against you.”
The CKB said the giving away of free tickets may have been a violation of Section 261(a)2 of Republic Act No. 881 (Omnibus Election Code) and Section 26(b) of Comelec Resolution No. 11104 for presumption of vote-buying and vote-selling, and possession of campaign materials.
Mitra said he has yet to receive a copy of the Comelec order but decided to clarify and explain the post.
Bounds of the law
He said he was just among those who were invited to watch the movie, and after finding that it had valuable lessons for the youth, he extended the invitation to others through his social media page for the free viewing of the movie.
He also said the movie did not, in one way or another, advance his interest as a candidate for the May 12 elections and that he did not use it as a platform for his campaign.
“Other than extending the invitation, I did not spend any amount or anything of value in this event, as in the first place, the same is free. I did not campaign directly or indirectly with any moviegoer nor did I distribute any campaign paraphernalia inside or within the premises,” he said.
He added: “I know my responsibilities as a candidate and all my actions are within the bounds of the law. I am prepared to file my answer as soon as I officially receive the show-cause letter and submit myself to the legal processes.”
Mitra was governor of Palawan from 2010 to 2013. He also served as representative of Palawan’s second district from 2001 to 2010.
