CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) may just have the solution to concerns raised on political surveys and whether they are being influenced by the more 'influential candidates and parties.'
Comelec Resolution 9674 directs survey companies to disclose to the Comelec the names of their survey sponsors as well as the data used to come up with such results of the survey.
Comelec-7 Director Temie Lambino confirmed yesterday that with resolution 9674, "any person, natural as well as juridical, candidate or organization who published a survey must also name the person, candidate, party or organization who commissioned or paid for the survey."
According to the resolution, the name of the person or polling firm that conducted the survey should also be indicated, even the method used in surveying, as well as the number of individuals included in the survey.
The resolution also states that the area covered, period of time the survey was made, specific questions asked, margin of error, and the mailing address and telephone number of the sponsor should be included so the Comelec can verify the information.
With this, Lambino said that if needed, they can inspect, copy and verify the survey with the raw data.
The resolution, said Lambino, is aimed to level the playing field for candidates especially for some who have raised concerns on survey results that apparently are in favor of candidates from one party.
But apart from this, the resolution is also in line with Comelec's restriction on expenditure of candidates during their campaign, which should be indicated in their Statement of Election Contribution and Expenditures (SECE).
"The Commission likewise reiterates that the amount spent by candidates and political parties for surveys, including subscriptions, forms part of their campaign expenditure which must be disclosed by the candidates and reported, the "payors" of the surveys and should be disclosed," stated in the resolution.
With the resolution, the Commission has directed SWS, Pulse Asia and other survey firms to submit within three days from receipt of the resolution the names of candidates who have hired their services.
An owner of a local surveying company in Cebu who wished not to be named said that he does not have any problem with the resolution especially for surveys whose results are intended to be of public knowledge.
However, he said that there are surveys intended only for the consumption of a particular candidate to help strategize their campaign.
But as far as the Comelec is concerned, if a candidate paid for the service of the company, it is already considered as a campaign expense.
Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama revealed why he and his Team Rama have not been seen releasing and talking about survey results in public.
"I know that the COMELEC should be furnished copies of survey results before releasing it to the media. Of course, I am aware of that," Rama told reporters.
He said that survey data has the power to influence public opinion and, in turn, voting behavior.
"Trending is not allowed because it can disturb and influence the actual elections. The sanctity of votes must be preserved," he added. —/JPM (FREEMAN)