Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1079)
The main purpose of Presidential Decree No. 1079 is to revise and consolidate all laws and decrees regulating the publication of judicial notices, advertisements for public biddings, notices of auction sales, and other similar notices to better serve the public good by properly disseminating such information.
Such notices must be published in newspapers or publications published, edited, and circulated in the same city and/or province where the requirement of general circulation applies. If no such newspaper exists locally, publication may be made in the nearest city or province newspaper.
The newspaper or periodical must be authorized by law to publish and must have been regularly published for at least one year before the date of publication of the notices or announcements.
The executive judge of the court of first instance designates a regular working day and time each week for the personal distribution of judicial notices to qualified newspapers. This distribution is done by raffle, except when only one newspaper is operating in the area.
No newspaper shall charge less than ten pesos (P10.00) per column inch, nor more than eighty percent (80%) of their regular commercial display advertising rates for such publications.
The text must be in less but not more than eight (8) points font size, the heading less but not more than ten (10) points font size, and the column width more but not less than nine (9) ems. Text and heading must be solid without slugs or leads between lines and margins.
Violators shall be punished by a fine of not less than five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) nor more than twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00), and imprisonment for not less than six (6) months nor more than two (2) years. Executive judges or court personnel involved shall be perpetually disqualified from holding any public office.
No, it is prohibited for publishers, editors, or media personnel to directly or indirectly offer or give money, commissions, or gifts to executive judges or court employees in consideration of awarding of legal and judicial notices. Similarly, such officials shall not demand or receive such gifts or money.
No, newspapers or periodicals must be authorized by law and regularly published for at least one year to qualify to publish judicial and similar notices under this decree.
The decree took effect immediately upon its promulgation on January 28, 1977.