Vote buying allegations rock Star Awards

The recently-concluded PMPC (Philippine Movie Press Club) Star Awards for Movies is being rocked by controversy after Jobert Sucaldito accused the award-giving body of vote buying in the Movie Actor of the Year category which Vice Ganda won for “Girl Boy Bakla Tomboy.”

Part of Jobert’s series of Twitter messages on Monday, March 10, a day after the awards rites was held at Solaire, reads, “Niloko ako ng ilang members ng PMPC. Pinaniwala ako that they will vote for my baby Jeorge Estregan for Best Actor for his sterling performance sa pelikulang Boy Golden.”

Jobert recounts, “Barely two weeks ago, some members talked to me at nagtanong kung hindi ko raw ba ila-lobby si Jeorge Estregan for best actor dahil ang kanilang napusuang rightful winner na si Joel Torre for the movie On The Job won't get the votes dahil hindi nila kayang magbayad sa voting members, i thought of something. 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. But how? i have to call first members of PMPC para makasiguro ako sa pagkapanalo ng alaga ko dahil PR man ako. that's part of the lobbying.”

He added,”i have to siyempre weigh first kung may laban ako. since 38 lang naman ang voting members, i have to get at least a vote more than half of them - meaning, more than 19 in short. so i commissioned 22 of Them bago ako sumugal huwag na nating pangalanan but worse come to worst ay willing ako to name names. promise! Wala akong pakialam dahil lokohan pala ito.”

Jobert said that he was surprised when he learned that one PMPC voting member lobbied for Vice Ganda and paid some of his fellow members for the comedian to win.

PMPC’s statement

PMPC denied the accusations in the following official statement:

The Philippine Movie Press Club, Inc. (PMPC) is saddened by the unfortunate turn of events at the recently-concluded 30th PMPC Star Awards for Movies.

Immediately after the awards ceremonies, a malicious allegation circulated in social media questioning the veracity of our Best Actor winner.

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.

For the past three decades of Star Awards for Movies, the PMPC has weathered the hardest obstacles and has remained 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.

The PMPC, its Board of Directors and Members, will always stand firm on their decision.