GMA signs law lifting pol ad ban

President Arroyo signed into law yesterday the measure lifting the ban on political advertising and ensuring fair election practices.

According to Press Undersecretary Roberto Capco, Mrs. Arroyo signed the Fair Election Practices Act of 2001 late yesterday afternoon but a ceremonial signing would be scheduled next week.

While the new law will only take effect two weeks after its publication in the Official Gazzette, candidates for local and congressional posts may procure political advertisements after the two-week notice period.

The new law also allows incumbent elective officials to retain their positions provided they are running for a position different from the post they already occupy.

The Omnibus Election Code provides that elective officials running for other positions be considered resigned upon the filing of their certificates of candidacy but the new law scraps this requirement.

The House of Representatives, voting 122-3, approved the measure on Feb. 7 to put all candidates in coming May 14 elections on equal footing by providing equal access to media.

The chamber approved the bicameral conference committee report after deleting a provision considering an elective official running for vice president or president resigned upon the filing of their certificates of candidacy.

Lawmakers decided to scrap the provision to avoid confusion on whether President Arroyo can still run for president in 2004.

Under the Constitution, Mrs. Arroyo is still qualified to run for president since the unexpired term she is serving is less than four years.