MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Election lawyer Emil Marañon III, in a Thought Leader’s piece on Rappler, said presidential sister Kris Aquino broke the law when she rode a presidential chopper to go to the campaign sortie of administration standard bearer Mar Roxas in Cebu. Marañon cites Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Act that says “use of public facilities owned or controlled by the government for an election campaign” is prohibited.

Under the succeeding Section 264, violation of Section 261 (o) constitutes an election offense and is punishable “with imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years and shall not be subject to probation.” In addition, “the guilty party shall be sentenced to suffer disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of the right of suffrage.”

Conceding that jail time is inevitable for the election law violation, Kris has officially sought presidential pardon from her brother, NoyNoy Aquino.

Under the Philippine Constitution, pardoning felons is among the special powers granted to the president.

Do you think President Aquino will grant pardon to his sister? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.