GMA NETWORK has released a statement denying that it made any contributions to the 2013 campaign of Senator Loren Legarda.
In its story on campaign donations made in the 2013 elections, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) cited the report submitted by Legarda’s own office to the Commission on Elections stating that her campaign was the recipient of P440,774 worth of donated television ad spots from GMA.
The “schedule of campaign ads” submitted by Legarda’s office to the Comelec stated that the donation came in the form of four free ad spots. The spots are over and above the P21 million worth of television ad spots that Legarda had purchased from the network.
The document was signed by Legarda’s son, Antonio Legarda Jr., identified in the document as the senator’s disbursing officer.
“This is farthest from the truth,” GMA’s statement posted on its website states. “In fact, GMA, through its sales and marketing arm GMA Marketing and Productions Inc. (GMPI), has already called the attention of Sen. Legarda’s authorized media agency, Havas, regarding these false allegations right after said claim was brought to their attention. Havas, in turn, confirmed that no donation was made by the network.”
GMA Network’s statement is reproduced below:
GMA Network (GMA) categorically denies the allegation that it has made any donation to the 2013 campaign of Senator Loren Legarda contrary to what was published in Malaya last Wednesday, October 2.
It was mentioned in the article that GMA allegedly donated P440,774 to the campaign of Sen. Legarda in the form of four ad spots, exclusive of the P21 million worth of television ads that Sen. Legarda purchased during the campaign period.
This is farthest from the truth. In fact, GMA, through its sales and
marketing arm GMA Marketing and Productions, Inc. (GMPI), has already called the attention of Sen. Legarda’s authorized media agency, Havas, regarding these false allegations right after said claim was brought to their attention. Havas, in turn, confirmed that no donation was made by the Network.Further, GMA has no direct dealings with Sen. Legarda. All of her
media placements were coursed through Havas and were covered by official Telecast Orders and supporting documents in compliance with the COMELEC’s Election Code requirements. All of Sen. Legarda’s placements were likewise paid in advance and covered by corresponding official receipts.