MANILA, Philippines ? Booking a movie premiere? Better ask the Commission on Elections (Comelec) first.

A ranking Comelec official Monday said actor-politicians running in the 2010 elections and who plan to appear in films in the next few months should first ask the poll body for advice.

?I suggest that they clear it with the Comelec. It?s better to be safe than sorry,? said Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal.

At least two big-time politicians with show biz roots?deposed President Joseph Estrada and Sen. Ramon ?Bong? Revilla Jr.?reportedly have films ready for release late this year, potential box-office hits widely seen as campaign vehicles for their election bids in 2010.

But Larrazabal, who was sworn into his post last week, said celebrity-candidates may have to think twice if they planned to release their movies after filing their certificates of candidacy (CoCs).

The official said actor-politicians should take note of a recent Supreme Court decision that disqualified then Surigao del Norte Mayor Rosalinda Peñera from the 2007 polls and caused her removal from office.

Peñera held a motorcade to gather support for her reelection bid just after filing her CoC, and before the start of the campaign period set by the Comelec, Larrazabal said.

The Supreme Court ruled that Peñera?s action was a form of premature campaigning, an election offense, the Comelec official explained.

The filing period for CoCs runs from Nov. 20 to 30 this year.

The campaign period for politicians seeking national positions starts 90 days before the May 10 elections, or on Feb. 9 next year. For local candidates, the period starts on March 26, or 45 days before the polls.

But showing the movie during the official campaign period could still make the candidate liable for violating election laws, according to another Comelec official.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the poll body had begun studying the possibility of banning actor-politicians from appearing in movies even during the campaign period.

Radio, TV, and print media personalities who run for public office go on leave from their jobs during the campaign season, so the same principle should apply to politicians who star in movies, Jimenez said.

Larrazabal said the showing of such movies may have to wait until after the May 10 elections or the actor-candidate may face disqualification.

The commissioner said Revilla had earlier sought a clarification with the Comelec regarding the Peñera ruling, since the reelectionist senator has an upcoming movie scheduled for showing in December.

Revilla is starring in the latest version of the action-fantasy franchise ?Ang Panday,? his entry to the annual Metro Manila Film Festival.

Larrazabal said the Comelec law department had told Revilla that showing Panday before the campaign period ?might constitute premature campaigning.?

Reached for comment Monday, Revilla said he was assured by Comelec Chair Jose Melo last year, before shooting began for Panday, that he could show the movie in December.

?This is not campaigning?

?We are hoping for a reversal of the Peñera case,? the senator said. ?This is not campaigning. This is just work. We have a contract with GMA and Enchanted Kingdom to show this movie. We might get sued.?

Larrazabal conceded that the Comelec had yet to come up with strict guidelines on the matter since the Peñera case was still on appeal.

Estrada, who is set to make a formal announcement on Wednesday of his intention to seek a new term in Malacañang, has also created a buzz in show biz and political circles with his upcoming comeback movie with comedienne Ai-Ai delas Alas.

Estrada?s spokesperson, Margaux Salcedo, Monday said the movie of the ousted President would be released in the first or second week of November to avoid drawing legal questions.

?We are not targeting the Metro Manila Film Fest,? Salcedo added.