The Entertainment Press Society (EnPress), a group of entertainment writers, has issued an official statement in response to the allegations made by the camp of Governor ER Ejercito, lead actor of Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story, against the organization.

The official statement was received by PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) earlier today, March 18.

For several weeks now, Asiong Salonga publicist Jobert Sucaldito has been hitting Enpress in his tabloid columns, radio show, and personal Facebook account.

Sucaldito claims there was an anomaly in the Best Actor nominations for the 8th Golden Screen Awards, which is being handed out by EnPress.

Governor ER is not among the Best Actor nominees.

The nominees include Aga Muhlach (In The Name of Love), Dingdong Dantes (Segunda Mano), John Wayne Sace (Pintakasi), Martin de los Santos (Patikul), Paulo Avelino (Ang Sayaw Ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa), and Sid Lucero (Paglipad ng Anghel).

Sucaldito accuses Enpress of dropping Governor ER in favor of Dingdong.

Governor ER and Dingdong were both nominated at the Metro Manila Film Festival 2011; Dantes won.

Both actors were also nominated at the recently-concluded 28th Star Awards of the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC); Governor ER tied with Aga Muhlach (In The Name of Love) for the award.

In its statement, EnPress explained the process of nominations for the Golden Screen Awards:

"All nominated movies are duly reviewed and screened and individually scored by the voting members of EnPress.

"For the 2012 Golden Screen Awards, fifteen of the twenty-four regular members participated in the screening. All movies screened are given individual score sheet where members get to all possible categories. Scores range from one (1) or not satisfactory to ten (10) excellent and this will be tallied after all movies are screened and the process of screening officially closes.

"During the screening, individual votes are sacred and will not be known to the other screening members but to the Executive Committee Chairman only.

"There is no deliberation during this process of individual voting.

"With any/every category/individual achievement getting a score between 150 (everyone scoring 10) and 15 (everyone scoring 1), the EnPress Executive Committee peg a rating ceiling between 110 and 120 scores depending on the number of possible nominees. Only those reaching the ceiling scores can qualify for a nomination slot.

"The nominee list is then read by the Executive Committee Chairman for the Golden Screen in a special meeting of EnPress and is approved by the members collectively. The approved nominee list becomes final and official and to this, EnPress stands by its result."