MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reiterated that former police chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa could be disqualified from the May 13 senatorial polls over his biopic being shown in movie theaters starting today.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said if the movie is still being shown in cinemas when the campaign period for national candidates starts on Feb. 12, rules on electioneering shall have been violated.

“Bottomline is exhibition of cinematographic works, from the start of the campaign period moving forward, that is when it becomes a violation,” he noted.

But Jimenez maintained that disqualification, in case of campaign violation, is not immediate and would have to go through a process that will determine who should be held liable for such a violation.

“I don’t think that he will personally cause the exhibition of these materials. But if the lines of accountability are clear and traceable all the way up to the candidate, then the candidate might be called to answer for it,” he said.

Under the Fair Election Act, no movie, cinematograph or documentary portraying the life or biography of a candidate shall be publicly exhibited in a theater, television station or any public forum during the campaign period.

Duterte went last night to the movie premiere of the biopic, “Bato,” which stars action star Robin Padilla about the life story of Dela Rosa.

Amid calls to boycott the movie, Duterte’s schedule was adjusted to enable him to attend the premiere at 8 p.m. at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

The timing of the movie is being questioned due to its proximity to the 2019 senatorial elections.

To accommodate the movie premiere in his schedule, the Chief Executive arrived on time for the groundbreaking of the new site of the San Lorenzo Ruiz General Hospital along Panghulo Road in Malabon. The schedule was adjusted 30 minutes earlier to 4:30 p.m.

While the Palace has denied that Duterte has been campaigning, he even returned to the stage to endorse the bid of local officials and one senatorial re-electionist. – With Christina Mendez