Senate lifts political ad ban

A bill lifting a ban on political advertising was passed on second reading by the Senate yesterday but imposed new features and limits.

Authored by Sen. Raul Roco, Senate Bill 1742 or the Fair Election Practices Act seeks to give election candidates equal media exposure while helping the public make intelligent decisions in electing the candidates of their choice.

Under the bill, candidates for national positions are entitled to not more than 60 minutes of television air time and 90 minutes for radio, while local candidates cannot buy more than 30 minutes of television time and 45 minutes of radio time.

Further, candidates for both national and local positions are entitled to a one-fourth-page space in broadsheet newspapers and a half page in tabloids. The print ads can only appear in a particular publication thrice a week.

They may also avail themselves of free air time and print space provided by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

However, the most significant feature of the bill is a provision requiring the Comelec to hold three debates for presidential candidates.

"Even totally penniless candidates for president will have three opportunities to show his wares in the debate," Roco said. This, he explained, this will help voters decide on who to vote for.

Also included in the proposed measure is a ban on the publication of surveys 30 days before the election to prevent them from influencing the polls.

It also adopted proposals made by Senate Minority Leader Teofisto Guingona Jr., who suggested a ban on films featuring candidates during the election period because it would give them more media mileage.

The bill also proposed that public officials running for president or vice president be considered resigned from office upon filing of his or her certificate of candidancy. The same applies to appointed officials.

The ad ban was imposed to even the playing field for the benefit of political candidates who have very little campaign money, and give qualified candidates a shot at public office.

But critics of the ad ban said it only shut out lesser candidates even more, to the benefit of big-name politicians.

It also largely prevented candidates from explaining their platforms to the public and prevented voters from making intelligent decisions on who to vote for, critics said.

Even the Comelec favored lifting the ban because politicians take advantage of legal loopholes and go around the law anyway.

In the past, politicians have skirted the ban by using print and broadcast ads, posters, stickers and other media but without the usual political color. — Perseus Echeminada