PMPC, Vice Ganda speak out on vote buying allegations

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) stands firm on the results of the Star Awards for Movies held Sunday, March 9, after allegations of vote buying questioned the validity of the Best Actor award, given to comedian Vice Ganda.

In a statement sent to media, the PMPC said that they “strongly refute the said allegations,” adding that the results are “final, uncontestable and sacred.”

“We strongly refute the said allegation. The voting members gave their utmost trust and confidence to the winners in their respective categories, thereby making the results final, uncontestable and sacred.”

The statement went on to say that the PMPC has “weathered the hardest obstacles” in the past 3 decades and that the club will continue to “remain undaunted.”

“There will be forces that will try to destroy the credibility and reputation of the Club, but the PMPC will remain committed to its objectives, and no amount of intimidation and coercion can shake its foundation.”

Entertainment writer Jobert Sucaldito, who made the vote-buying allegations through Facebook, remained steadfast on his argument, even after reading the PMPC’s response.

“They are composing a LIE,” he said in a new Facebook post.

“Mamatay na ang nagsisinungaling. Hasus, alam na namin ang buong story diyan kaya huwag na tayong magmaang-maangang pa.” (Liars can die. We all know the whole story so just stop denying it.)

Vice Ganda has a clear conscience

Vice Ganda, who took home the Best Actor Award for Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy, also responded to the issue, saying his conscience is clear.

In an episode of noontime show Showtime on March 12, Vice Ganda thanked PMPC for the award, noting that he is aware of how “controversial” the award is.

“Sobrang kontrobersyal ng award na yan, narinig ko, nabasa ako, nakakaloka… Nung nabasa ko nga, natawa lang ako tas tumahimik lang ako,” he said with a smile. (I read and heard that this award is so controversial, it’s crazy… When I read it, I just laughed and kept quiet.)

“Sinabi ko, ‘Kung kakausapin ko ang konsensya ko, ano kayang sasabihin ng konsensya ko sa’kin?’ Sabi ng konsensya ko sa’kin, ‘Kung hindi ka nandaya, ibalik mo ang award, kung hindi ka nandaya, yakapin mo ang award,” said Vice Ganda,  Vice Ganda, one of ABS-CBN’s main talents. (I told myself, ‘If I were to talk to my conscience, what would it tell me?’ My conscience told me, ‘If you cheated, return the award. If not, embrace the award.)

With that, Vice Ganda proceeded to hug his trophy.

Vote buying allegations

On March 10, Sucaldito took to Facebook to express his sentiments regarding Vice Ganda’s best actor win, claiming that a PMPC voting member allegedly paid members to vote for the comedian.

“One voting PMPC member nilang si Francis Simeon lobbied for Vice Ganda pala for Best Actor. Nagbayad siya ng pera sa mga kasamahan niya sa PMPC para manalo si Vice Ganda who is abroad.”

According to the post, Sucaldito “commissioned” 22 of the 38 members of the voting committee, a number enough to secure the award for Boy Golden actor Jeorge Estregan. After hearing that a PMPC member paid for votes for Vice Ganda, Sucaldito admitted to also paying the voting members, but with a higher amount.

It was, however, clarified in the post that Estregan was not aware of Sucaldito’s actions.

Sucaldito claimed that a voting member of the PMPC should not have been allowed to lobby for an actor.

“Bawal iyon sa members to campaign for a nominee, di ba? Either he must abstain from voting for his ward dahil pangit talagang tingnan.” (Members are not allowed to campaign for a nominee, right? Either he must abstain for his ward, because it really doesn’t look good.) 

Rightful winner?

Sucaldito also narrated how voting members talked to him around 2 weeks before the awarding, asking if he had plans of lobbying for Jeorge Estregan. Claiming to be Estregan’s “PR man” he said lobbying is considered normal in award-giving ceremonies.

According to the post, members told Sucaldito that On The Job actor Joel Torre was supposedly the rightful winner, but he would not be able to get the award because Torre’s party could not pay for the votes. Estregan was said to have been “next in line” for the award.

“Kung hindi rin lang mananalo si Joel Torre who is the rightful winner, might as well fight na lang for my anak-anakang Jeorge Estregan for Boy Golden dahil they said that he is next in line for Best Actor,” he wrote. (If Joel Torre, the rightful winner wasn’t going to win, might as well vote for Jeorge Estregan for Boy Golden because he is next in line for Best Actor.) 

In an interview with ABS-CBN on March 12, Estregan said he holds no grudges against PMPC and that being nominated is already a great honor for him. In the same way, Estregan said he “respects the opinion and the good intentions of Mr. Jobert Sucaldito.”

“Mahusay at magaling na tao si Jobert at nirerespeto ko ang kanyang opinyon na i-correct ang maling ginagawa sa industriya. Mabuhay ka Jobert Sucaldito.” (Jobert is a good person and I respect his opinion to correct wrong practices in the industry. Long live, Jobert Sucaldito.)

Sucaldito, a showbiz columnist, was once a co-host of ABS-CBN talk show The Buzz and radio dZMM’s Showbiz Mismo.

This also not the first time the award-giving body was implicated in alleged corrupt practices. 

According to Inquirer, members of the voting committee for the 21st Star Awards in 2005 allegedly received money from ABS-CBN Star Magic, in exchange for ensuring the best actor win for Piolo Pascual (Milan) and the best actress win for Kris Aquino (Feng Shui).

That year’s winners, however, were Dennis Trillo  for Aishte Imasu 1941 and Vilma Santos for Mano Po 3: My Love. – Rappler.com