Duty to file sworn publication disclosures
- Section 1 requires the editor, publisher, business manager, or owner of every newspaper, magazine, periodical, or other publication to file with the Director of Posts.
- Section 1 requires filing not later than the first day of April and the first day of October of each year.
- Section 1 mandates use of blanks furnished by the Director of Posts.
- Section 1 requires a sworn statement setting forth:
- the names and post-office addresses of the actual editor;
- the names and post-office addresses of the managing editor;
- the names and post-office addresses of the publisher;
- the names and post-office addresses of the business managers; and
- the names and post-office addresses of the owners.
- Section 1 requires that if the publication is owned by a corporation, the statement must also include the stockholders and the names of known bondholders, mortgagees, or other security holders.
- For daily newspapers, Section 1 requires inclusion of the average of the number of copies of each issue sold or distributed to paid subscribers during the preceding month.
Ownership threshold and allowed omissions
- Section 1 provides an exemption from disclosure for persons who own less than one per centum of the total amount of stock, bonds, mortgages, or other securities.
Publication in the newspaper and mail privilege consequence
- Section 3 requires publication of the sworn statement in the second issue of the concerned newspaper, magazine, or other publication.
- Section 3 requires the publication to be printed next after the filing of the sworn statement.
- Section 3 provides a penalty for non-compliance: the publication shall be denied the privileges of the mail if it fails to comply within thirty days after notice by registered letter from the Director of Posts of failure.
Coverage limitations for certain publications
- Section 2 excludes from the Act’s filing requirements religious, fraternal, temperance, and scientific publications, and other similar publications.
Criminal penalty for false sworn statements
- Section 4 imposes criminal liability on any editor, publisher, business manager, or owner who knowingly files with the Director of Posts any untrue or false statement of the information required by Section 1.
- Section 4 provides that the penalty is a fine of not less than PHP 1,000 and not more than PHP 5,000.
- Section 4 provides that the penalty also includes imprisonment for not less than six months and not more than two years.
Publication timing and annual cycle
- Section 1 sets two annual disclosure deadlines: first day of April and first day of October.
- Section 3 requires immediate follow-through in print: the sworn statement must appear in the second issue, printed next after filing.