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Internet ads not restricted by new Comelec guidelines


The Commission on Elections (Comelec) released guidelines last Friday that impose limits on candidates’ mass media advertising, but do not cover Internet ads and TV guest appearances. Relatively cheap or sometimes free, both forms of exposure can help even the playing field for less wealthy candidates. TV guestings often depend on campaigns' connections to the broadcast industry.
The latest news videos from 24 Oras, Saksi, and QTV on GMANews.TV Referring to Comelec Resolution 8758 released to the media last Friday, the poll body’s spokesperson James Jimenez told reporters, "This will essentially be the campaign guidelines for candidates." During the campaign period, national candidates will only be allowed 120 minutes broadcast advertising on each local and cable television channel and 180 minutes on each radio station, whether by purchase or donation. On the other hand, local candidates will only be allowed 60 minutes of advertisements on each television channel and 90 minutes on each radio station. Under the Fair Elections Act, these restrictions will take effect during the campaign period, which starts February 9 to May 8 for national candidates and March 26 to May 8 for local candidates. No restrictions on web ads and TV guestings While the Comelec has strict limits on broadcast advertising, Jimenez said that the poll body cannot restrict television guest appearances by candidates. "Hindi kasama TV guestings (TV guestings are not included)," he said. For example, the Comelec cannot sanction candidates for awarding prizes on television game shows, as currently practiced by some candidates, Jimenez said. The poll body remains unsure whether or not to control or prohibit public service advertisements of candidates who are incumbent officials, like President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. "Right now that's a little difficult to answer," he said. Moreover, the Commission is unable to restrict election propaganda disseminated on the Internet. "There are no guidelines as of yet [but] this is not something that we are going to tread lightly on," he said, without elaborating. Unlike local television and radio, the Internet would be impossible to monitor effectively, even if the Comelec included it in the new restrictions. Candidates are already advertising on social media such as Facebook and through Google ads, not to mention established media web sites (Disclosure: GMANews.TV is one such news site that has hosted political ads). With its millions of web sites and blogs, the Internet is a nightmare for government regulators anywhere. Print ads Newspapers, on the other hand, are easy to regulate, with their physical form easily accessible to any government. Under the new guidelines, the maximum size of print advertisements for each candidate, local or national, will be 1/4 page for broadsheets and 1/2 page for tabloids. But the print ads, whether paid for or given free of charge, should not be published more than three times a week. Advertisements must bear the name and address of the payor and the person or party that will benefit from the election propaganda. Common poster areas However, advertisements shall not be published or aired if the there is no written acceptance of the advertising contract from the candidate or political party, the Comelec said. Media entities must give candidates and political parties a discounted rate for the publishing or broadcast of their election propaganda during the campaign period. On the other hand, party-list groups, political parties, and independent candidates may put up their ads on common poster areas. Common poster areas include public places like plazas, markets, and barangay centers. Party-list groups and political parties may construct 12 by 16 feet poster areas while independent candidates may only erect four by six feet poster areas or its equivalent. The poll body will disallow attaching campaign materials on plants, especially trees, Jimenez said. "We are going to green this elections," he said. Candidates for president and vice president may only spend P10 in election propaganda for each voter. Those running for lower positions but have the backing of political parties are only allowed to spend P3 per voter on their constituency while those who are running as independent may spend P5 for each voter. As of January 15, the Comelec placed the total number of voters at 50,723,734. In the meantime, all election propaganda that clearly violate Comelec rules starting on February 9 will be removed. "A lot of the posters have fallen far outside the allowable sizes... they will no longer be allowed," he said. Violation of the rules may constitute and election offense, which is punishable by one to six years imprisonment, disenfranchisement, and disqualification from holding public office. - RSJ, RJAB Jr., HGS/GMANews.TV

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