Resolution on Fair Elections Act rules set

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) came out with a resolution setting the implementing rules and regulations of the Fair Elections Act.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the resolution requires media organizations to give all candidates a chance to reply to criticisms hurled against them during the campaign period that started Jan. 13 until June 12.

Comelec Resolution No. 9615 states that all parties and bona fide candidates shall have the right to reply to charges against them. The reply shall be given publicity by the newspaper, television and radio station which first printed or aired the charges.

The resolution mandates that the same prominence or on the same page or section, or in the same time slot, as the first statement shall be given to aggrieved candidate.

Jimenez said the new rules seek to provide candidates who felt they have been aggrieved by charges published or aired against them a chance to gain equal access to media.

“A candidate can invoke his right to reply anytime and a candidate who feels that he was not given that opportunity can make that known to us and then we will refer that to the network for their answer,” Jimenez pointed out.

Jimenez said that with the new rules, the Comelec hopes to ensure equal opportunities for all candidates and limit possibilities of bias reporting for or against a particular candidate.

But Jimenez stressed that failure of the media outfit to honor the right to reply will not automatically mean sanctions.

“It’s more on the let’s talk whether or not this thing happen and then let’s arrive at a mutually satisfactory solution, considering the requirements and the unique nature of reporting,” Jimenez explained.

Comelec said candidates may submit a formal, verified claim against the media outlet where they want to invoke their right to reply to the commission, through the Regional Election Directors (REDs) or the Education and Information Department (EID) in the main office in Manila.

The claim shall include a detailed enumeration of the circumstances and occurrences that warrant the reply.

The Comelec in turn shall endorse the claim to the concerned media outfit within 24 hours upon receipt of the candidate’s claim.

Some media companies expressed concern that the new regulation could lead to the company being swamped with demands for replies from various candidates while they are constricted by limited space and amount of airtime.

GMA 7 complains

GMA Network, Inc. has expressed reservations on the new Comelec campaign regulations.

In a letter to the Comelec, GMA chairman and CEO Felipe Gozon asked for the recall of Resolution No. 9615 that sets the implementing rules of the Fair Election Act.

“Considering that substantive rights of various parties shall be affected by the new rules, GMA questioned the propriety of its promulgation without public participation,” the network said.

GMA further sought Comelec clarification on another resolution giving candidates only an aggregate total of 120 minutes of television advertising, whether appearing on national, regional or local, free or cable television (regardless of the source of content), and 180 minutes of radio advertising, whether airing on national, regional, or local radio, regardless of the number of stations or networks used.