Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9006)
The short title of Republic Act No. 9006 is the "Fair Election Act."
The primary purpose of the Fair Election Act is to enhance the holding of free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections through fair election practices.
The State shall supervise or regulate the use of all media franchises or permits to guarantee equal opportunity for public service, provide equitable access to media time and space, ensure bona fide candidates are free from harassment and discrimination, and assure free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections.
Lawful election propaganda includes pamphlets, leaflets, cards, decals, stickers within size limits; handwritten or printed letters urging votes; posters and streamers within size limits and conditions; paid advertisements in print or broadcast media following specific requirements; and all other forms not prohibited by the Omnibus Election Code or RA 9006.
All election propaganda must bear the words "political advertisement paid for," followed by the true and correct name and address of the candidate or party benefiting from the propaganda. If the broadcast is free, it must indicate "airtime for this broadcast was provided free of charge by" followed by the broadcaster's name and address. Donated advertisements require written acceptance by the candidate or party.
Surveys must include the name of the sponsor, the person or firm conducting the survey, the survey period, methodology, number of respondents and areas, specific questions, margin of error, margin of error for questions exceeding the reported margin, and contact details for obtaining a written report.
Surveys affecting national candidates cannot be published 15 days before the election, and those affecting local candidates cannot be published 7 days before the election. Exit polls must follow additional regulations like distance from polling places and disclosures and may only be announced after polls close.
National candidates or parties may have up to 120 minutes on TV and 180 minutes on radio; local candidates may have up to 60 minutes on TV and 90 minutes on radio during the campaign period. Print adverts are limited to one-fourth page in broadsheets and one-half page in tabloids thrice a week.
COMELEC must procure print space in at least three national newspapers and airtime in at least three national TV and radio networks to be allocated free and equally to all national candidates on three different campaign days. It may also require networks to sponsor national debates among candidates.
All registered parties and bona fide candidates have the right to reply to charges published against them. The reply must be given publicity by the media entity that first aired or printed the charges, with the same prominence and in the same section or time slot.