Comelec: Candidates' appearance in variety shows, non-news programs to be deducted in ad broadcasting limit

Appearances in variety shows and non-news programs during the campaign period will be counted as part of a senatorial candidate's broadcast advertising time, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Monday.

“Ang tendency diyan ay ituturing na broadcast advertising [ang appearance sa entertainment shows] at may allowed time lang sila na 120 minutes per television station,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in an interview with News to Go.

“Kung news and news-based talk shows, may pagpapayag diyan dahil news worthy. Variety shows are completely different thing,” he added.

A candidate's broadcast advertising time is limited to 120 minutes per television station and 180 minutes per radio station.

Election laws only allow a candidate for senator to spend P10 per voter. A candidate for party-list representative, on the other hand, can spend P3 per voter. Political parties, on the other hand, can spend P5 per voter for their bests for national polls.

The campaign period for national candidates starts on February 12 and ends on May 11. Elections will be held on May 13.

Jimenez reminded the candidates that their reports on campaign spending should include those made in social media in accordance with the Implementing Rules of Regulations of Fair Elections Act, which includes social media as part of mass media.

“Kailangan silang magbigay ng offical page, website, blog, social media platform na gagamitin nila and we will track it [from] there. We would require internet companies a summary and audits of all the ads placed under the candidate’s name,” he said.

Jimenez earlier assured the public that the Comelec guidelines on campaigning on social media won’t restrict freedom of expression.

“Social media would still be a free market of ideas. We won’t infringe on freedom of expression and the right of the supporters to make their opinions in favor or against a candidate, for that matter,” he said.

"It is not about regulating content, but the amount spent," Jimenez added.

The Fair Election law provides that no movie, cinematography or documentary portraying the life or biography of a candidate should be publicly exhibited in a theater, television station or any public forum during the campaign period, and that no movie, cinematography or documentary portrayed by an actor or media personality who is himself a candidate shall likewise be publicly exhibited in a theater or any public forum during the campaign period.

In addition, the Omnibus Election Code states that any person found guilty of any election offense under this Code will be punished with imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years and shall not be subject to probation. Likewise, the guilty party will be disqualified to hold public office and deprived of the right of suffrage.  —Llanesca T. Panti/KBK, GMA News