Section 49Sec./Art. 49

Regulation of Election Propaganda Through Mass Media. -

(a) The franchise of all broadcasting and television stations are hereby amended so as to require each such station to furnish free of charge, upon request of the Commission, during the period of sixty days before the election not more than fifteen minutes of prime time once a week which shall be known as "COMELEC Time" and which shall be used exclusively by the Commission to disseminate vital election information. Said "COMELEC Time" shall be considered as part of the public service time said stations are required to furnish the Government for the dissemination of public information and education under their respective franchises or permits.

(b) The Commission shall promulgate rules and regulations regarding the sale or use of air time for political purposes during the election period to insure that equal time in amount and quality is available to all candidates for the same office and to all political parties at the same rates or given free of charge; that such rates are reasonable and not higher than those charged to other buyers or users of air time for non-political purposes; that the provisions of this Code regarding the limitation of expenditures by political parties, political organizations and candidates and contributions by private persons and certain classes of corporations, entities and institutions are effectively enforced; that said radio, broadcasting and television stations shall not be allowed to schedule any program or permit any sponsor to manifestly favor or oppose any candidate and/or political party by unduly or repeatedly referring to or including said candidate in its program thereby giving undue advantage to said candidate and/or political party, respecting however, in all instances the right of said stations to broadcast accounts of significant or newsworthy events and views on matters of public interest.

(c) All contracts for advertising in any newspaper, magazine, periodical or any form of publication promoting or opposing the candidacy of any person for public office shall, before its implementation, be registered by said newspaper, magazine, periodical or publication with the Commission. In every case, it shall be signed by or for the candidate or political party concerned.

(d) No franchise or permit to operate radio or television stations shall be granted or issued during the election period.

In all instances, the Commission shall supervise the use and employment of press, radio and television facilities so as to give candidates for the position equal opportunities under equal circumstances to make known their qualifications and their stand on public issues within the limits on election spending set forth in this Code.