Comelec admits difficulty in monitoring campaign ads, blames delinquent networks

The Commission on Elections admitted Monday that it is having a hard time monitoring the campaign advertisements of candidates due to the failure of some networks to submit their records. “We’ve been going over [the campaign advertisements of candidates]. One of our difficulties now is that some networks still, have not submitted their records so I cannot say for certain kung, may nag-exceed na,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said. Because of this, the poll body will be sending notices to the networks who failed to provide their records. Jimenez, however, refused to name the delinquent networks. “Pag naglabas na lang kami [ng notice]. Pag naglabas kami ng notice, you will know kung sino ang nagsubmit at kung sino ang hindi,” he added. According to Jimenez, the networks were supposed to submit their records every two weeks. “So far we are into the sixth week yata and there are networks na wala pa ring sinasubmit,” he reiterated. As for the networks that claimed not to have run any campaign advertisements, the poll body will still be verifying this. “Pinangunahan na nila kami but we are still looking at them kung may ads nga ba,” Jimenez said. Under Section 9 of Comelec Resolution 9615, “each broadcast entity and website owner or administrator shall submit to the Commission a certified true copy of its broadcast logs, certificates of performance, or other analogous record, including certificates of acceptance as required in Section 7(b) of these Guidelines, for the review and verification of the frequency, date, time and duration of advertisements aired for any candidate or party.” It also states that all broadcast entities shall preserve their broadcast logs for a period of five years from the date of broadcast for submission to the poll body whenever required. Comelec puts the airtime limit of candidates to an aggregate of 120 minutes for television and 180 minutes for radio for national candidates. Meanwhile, 60 minutes and 90 minutes, for television and radio, respectively, are given to local candidates. — DVM, GMA News