Comelec warns blocktimers vs poll violations

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — The Comelec in Negros Oriental has warned broadcast stations to observe the mandatory airtime allocated for political candidates and other regulations during the campaign period, otherwise they could be sanctioned.

Comelec-Dumaguete head Jerome Brillantes said on Thursday that even the management of radio and television stations and political candidates paying for block-time could be charged if found guilty of any such violations.

Brillantes, however, admitted that it would be difficult for the Comelec to monitor all radio and tv stations in Dumaguete and Negros Oriental, but the poll body would not hesitate to bring to court blocktimers if they persist on committing unlawful practices.

The law stipulates that a local political candidate is only allowed an aggregate of 90 minutes campaign airtime in all broadcast stations that he or she has paid for block-time, from March 29 to midnight of May 11, according to Brillantes.

The Fair Elections Act has reduced the total airtime allotted for national and local candidates to air their campaign ads on aggregate basis and not per station as previously practiced.

Furthermore, blocktime anchors handling these paid political programs must refrain from engaging in black propaganda, attacking other candidates or even promoting their own candidates outside of the allowed airtime, he said.

Brillantes called on station managers and political candidates to also monitor and advise blocktime broadcasters to observe the law. He said that a blocktimer, found guilty of violating the new rules on campaign propaganda, could also cause the disqualification of the candidate paying for the broadcaster and the blocktime program.

Anybody can file a complaint with the Comelec if she or she believes a violation has been committed and the poll body will conduct an investigation, he added.

Comelec provincial supervisor Juvenal Tuale on Tuesday called for a meeting with the different broadcast blocktimers and station managers to discuss the new implementing rules and regulations of the Fair Elections Act.  (FREEMAN)