SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
)

SENATE . fp

S. B. No. _1777

18 fPR-4 P37

Introduced by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III

AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9006, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE “FAIR ELECTION ACT”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article II, Section 26 of our Constitution provides that the State
shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service. In this
day and age, an undeniable feature of running a successful election
campaign involves media exposure. Unfortunately, many qualified but
financially disadvantaged candidates are unable to compete in this
regard because of prohibitive rates charged by media entities. For
example, in the 2016 presidential election, presidential candidates spent
anywhere from PHP 100 million to over PHP 300 million in a matter of
two months at the estimated rate of PHP 2.25 million for every hour of
air time for their political advertisements.’

In order to even the playing field, our current law—Republic Act
No. 9006, or the “Fair Election Act”—should be amended so that media
entities are required to sell advertising time or space to political
candidates at rates lower than what they charge their most favored
advertisers for the same advertising time or space. The rate should be
fifty percent (50%) lower for television, thirty percent (30%) lower for
radio, and twenty percent (20%) lower for print. In order to pre-empt

Mechu M 1, Who has spent the most money on campaign ads? CNN PHILIPPINES,
(April 28, 2016, 10:41 a.m.), http://ennphilippines.com/news/2016/04/27/biggest-campaign-ad-
spenders-peij-nielsen.html,



media entities from spiking their rates immediately prior to an election,
the rates will be based on an average of rates charged to their most
favored advertisers during the first three quarters of the two calendar
years preceding the elections.

Media entities have shown that they can accept and run
advertisements at a lower price for certain parties, hence there should be
no issue with lowering prices in the interest of democratizing public

service.

For the foregoing reasons, speedy passage of this measure is

earnestly sought.
KViwan rw .As
AQUIL “KOKO” PIMENTEL ni



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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE. )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES _ )
Second Regular Session )

SENATE - i

S. B. No. 1777

18 APR-4 P37

Introduced by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III

AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9006, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE “FAIR ELECTION ACT”

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled.

SECTION 1. Amended Rates of Political Propaganda. — Section
11 of Republic Act No. 9006, otherwise known as the “Fair Election
Act”, is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 11. Rates of Political Propaganda. — During the
election period, media outlets shall charge registered political
parties and bona fide candidates a discounted rate of [thirty]
FIFTY percent ({30]50%) for television, [twenty] THIRTY
percent ([20]30%) for radio and [ten] TWENTY percent
({10]20%) for print over the average rates charged TO
THEIR MOST FAVORED ADVERTISERS during the
first three quarters of the TWO (2) calendar yearS preceding
the elections.

MOST FAVORED ADVERTISERS ARE THOSE
ADVERTISERS THAT ARE CHARGED THE
LOWEST RATES BY A MEDIA ENTITY.”

SEC. 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within thirty
(30) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Commiss

ion on Elections

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SecwmrirAaweEYWNH-=

shall issue Implementing Rules and Regulations for the effective
implementation of the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders,
rules and regulations, and issuances inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 4. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect immediately upon
its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of

general circulation.

Approved,

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