FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
S.NO. 2079 
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Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon 
EXPLANATORYNOTE 
Public office is a public trust, and an informed electorate will deliver an intelligent 
vote, 
While the current Fair Elections Act requires the Commission on Elections to 
procure free airtime from at least three national television and radio networks for equal 
allocation to all candidates for national office, there is currently no mechanism that requires 
nationally elected candidates to make known their position on matters of national 
significance through intelligent debate. 
Moreover, the indiscriminate proliferation of 
campaign propaganda on walls, trees, posts and buildings does nothing to improve the 
public's understanding of a candidate's platform, and serves no other purpose than to 
pollute our environment. 
Consequently, this bill seeks to rectify the situation by amending Republic Act No. 
9006, otherwise known as the Fair Elections Act, by making it mandatory for national 
television and radio networks to sponsor at least three (3) national debates among 
presidential candidates and at least one (1) national debate among vice presidential 
candidates. Each debate shall not be less than sixty (60) minutes, exclusive of airtime for 
commercials and advertisements. This bill also seeks to prohibit the posting of campaign 
materials in certain public areas, particularly on any post, tree, or structure on or along any 
road, on any wall or building adjoining a road, or on or within any government building or 
property. This is in line with the policy enunciated in the Fair Elections Act, which declares 
that the State shall, during the election period, supervise or regulate the enjoyment or 
utilization of all franchises or permits for the operation of media of communication or 
information to guarantee or ensure equal opportunity for public service, including access to 
media time and space. 
For these reasons, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
RD J. GORDON 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Firsf Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S.NO. 2078 
Introduced by Senator Richard J. Gordon 
AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9006, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
THE FAIR ELECTIONS ACT 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION I. 
Section 7 of Republic Act No. 9006, otherwise known as The Fair 
Elections Act, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
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"Sec. 7. Affirmative Action by the COMELEC. - 
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7.3 The COMELEC SHALL [may] require national television and radio 
networks to sponsor at least three (3) national debates among presidential 
candidates and at least one (1) national debate among vice presidential candidates. 
The debates among presidential candidates shall be scheduled on three (3) different 
calendar days: the first debate shall be scheduled within the first and second week of 
the campaign period; the second debate within the fifth and six week of the 
campaign period; and the third debate shall be scheduled within the tenth and 
eleventh week of the campaign period. 
The sponsoring television or radio network may sell airtime for commercials 
and advertisements to interested advertisers and sponsors. The COMELEC shall 
promulgate rules and regulations for the holding of such debates; P
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EACH DEBATE SHALL NOT BE LESS THAN SIXTY (60) MINUTES, EXCLUSIVE 
OF AIRTIME FOR COMMERCIALS AND ADVERTISEMENTS." 
Sec. 2. Section 9 of Republic Act No. 9006, otherwise known as The Fair Elections 
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Act, is hereby amended to read as follows:- 
"Sec. 9. Posting of Campaign Materials. - The COMELEC may authorize 
political parties and party-list groups to erect common poster areas for their 


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candidates in not more than ten (IO) public places DESIGNATED BY THE 
COMELEC, such as plazas, markets, barangay centers and the like, wherein 
candidates can post display or exhibit election propaganda; Provided, That the size 
of the poster areas shall not exceed twelve (12) by sixteen (16) feet or its equivalent. 
Independent candidates with no political parties may likewise be authorized to 
erect common poster areas in not more than ten (IO) public places D E S ~ G N A T ~ ~  
BY THE COMELEC, the size of which shall not exceed four (4) by six (6) feet or its 
equivalent. 
Candidates may post any lawful propaganda material in private places with 
the consent of the owner thereof, and in COMELEC DESIGNATED public places or 
property which shall be allocated equitably and impartially among the candidates; 
PRWDED, NO CAMPAIGN MATERIAL OR ELECTION PROPAG~NDA SHALL 
BE POSTED, NAILED, OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER DISPLAYED ON ANY 
POST, TREE OR STRUCTURE ON OR ALONG ANY ROAD, ON ANY WALL 0 
BUILDING ADJOINING A ROAD, OR ON OR WITHIN ANY G O V E ~ N M E N ~  
BUILDING OR PROPERTY. ANY VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION SHALL RESULT 
IN THE IMMEDIATE REMOVAL AND DESTRUCTION OF SUCH MATERIAL OR 
PROPAGANDA, AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CANDIDATE CONCERNED. 
AFTER THE ELECTION, CANDIDATES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE 
REMOVAL OF SUCH CAMPAIGN MATERIALS OR ELECTION PROPAGANDA, 
WHICH SHALL BE ACCOMPLISHED WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TlME 
NOT TO EXCEED THREE (3) WEEKS FROM THE DATE OF THE ELECTION." 
Sec. 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or 
other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
Sec. 4. Separability Clause, - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain 
in force and effect. 


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circulation in the Philippines. 
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Approved, 
Sec. 5. Effecfivify. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the 
completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
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