Solon wants survey fund sources revealed

MANILA, Philippines - A lawmaker wants surveys to have their funding sources revealed to inform the public of the people behind them and their intentions.

"The conduct of surveys is a regular occurrence which regularly affects the lives of many Filipinos. However, some surveys may just confuse and mislead the general public altogether, leading to speculations and unwarranted conclusions as to the truth of a matter of public concern,” House Deputy Speaker and Leyte Second District Rep. Sergio Apostol said.

Apostol said some surveys may be leading and confusing.

House Bill 3183 provides that the liability for any person or a group of persons who shall not fully disclose, publicize or reveal the complete and truthful source of funding and financing of a survey shall be six months to one year imprisonment, or a fine or not less P20,000. 

Meanwhile, liability on the part of the suvey firm will fall upon those who directly participated in the conduct of the survey, its president, manager or supervisor.

The proposed measure includes a provision where any election-related survey in violation of the proposed law shall be treated as an election offense and prosecuted under the authority and supervision of the Commission on Elections.