Jamby Madrigal probed for FB contest
Former Sen. Jamby Madrigal. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
The Commission on Elections yesterday disclosed that it was closely monitoring a senatorial candidate of the administration-led Team Pnoy who could be slapped with an election offense for illegal campaigning on cyberspace.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said the candidate was supposedly holding a contest through the social networking sites Facebook and Twitter and promised to give away an iPad to the winner.
“We are investigating the possibility that there might be a violation being committed by a candidate of the administration…it will fall probably under illegal campaigning because a prize is promised to be given away,” Brillantes told reporters.
The Comelec chief declined to identify the senatorial candidate but a search on Facebook and on Twitter showed that he was referring to Jamby Madrigal.
On her Twitter account (@TheRealJamby), she was encouraging her 450 followers to “speak their mind” about corruption and win an iPad. Her account also showed that she made the “tweet” on Feb. 15.
Article continues after this advertisementMeanwhile, her Facebook fan page, which has more than 2,000 “likes,” showed more detailed information on the mechanics of the contest. “Let’s play a fun game,” she addressed her followers on Feb. 14.
Article continues after this advertisementA promotional photo read: “dadadaFriends of jajajaJamby want you to win a free iPad.” Joining was “easy as 1-2-3,” it further stated. First, contestants must like Madrigal’s fan page and in not more than seven words, they must complete the sentence “Corruption is bad because…,” it added.
Based on the information posted on her Facebook page, the contest will end on March 12. The winner of the iPad will be announced three days later. So far, 58 people have joined the contest.
The Comelec Law Department will be conducting a preliminary investigation into the matter, Brillantes said, adding that it could be a possible disqualification case.—With Matikas Santos, INQUIRER.net
Originally posted at 05:04 pm | Tuesday, February 19, 2013
