Comelec removes regulation on color motifs of candidates

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has removed the regulation of color motifs among those considered as prohibited forms of election propaganda.

Comelec Resolution 9631 issued by the Commission en banc on February 5, has deleted the "color motif" directive.

Color motifs are those campaign colors on shirts and other accessories that can be identified with a particular candidates or political party as earlier defined in Comelec Resolution 9615, which also imposes stricter limits on election ads through broadcast and online media.

If the candidate is wearing his/her campaign colors in their television appearances, it will be considered additional exposure and will be reduced from the prescribed airtime.

A candidate is allowed 120 minutes of television airtime for national candidates and 60 minutes for local bets.

The commission has also affirmed its earlier pronouncement that they will no longer require broadcast stations to request prior approval from the Comelec in guesting candidates as they will only need "prior notice".

"If such prior notice is not feasible or practicable, the notice shall be sent within 24 hours from the first broadcast," the Comelec added.

The en banc also decided to extend the period for the right to reply from the original 24 hours to 48 hours, wherein candidates may invoke their right to reply against charges published or aired against them.

"The claim shall include a detailed enumeration of the circumstances and occurrences, which warrant the invocation of the right to reply," the poll body added.

The Comelec also decided to amend the rules on election surveys as it has decided not to make their publication mandatory.

"The paragraph is amended as thus…Should they decide to publish the said survey for public consumption…" added the resolution. (PNA)