Duterte signs new law providing bigger discounts for political ads

By ASA T. MADALE

ILIGAN CITY: Eligible candidates and political parties can soon avail of bigger discounts on political advertisements.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said last week that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed Republic Act 11207, a measure that granted discounted rates to bonafide political candidates and political parties at 50 percent for television, 40 percent for radio while the rate for print was retained at 10 percent.

This will be computed from the average of the published rates charged in the last three calendar years prior to the election.

The new law seeks to amend Section 11 of Republic Act 9006 or the Fair Election Act.

Prior to the enactment of the new law, media outlets charged registered political parties and bona fide candidates a discounted rate of 30 percent for television, 20 percent for radio and 10 percent for print over the average rates charged during the first three quarters of the calendar year preceding the elections.

Citing the prohibitive costs of placing political advertisements in TV, radio, and print, senators said the measure will aid voters to be more informed about their preferred candidates. (ATM/RSP)