Republic of the Philippines
COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS
Manila

 

RESOLUTION NO. 3270

GUIDELINES FOR MASS MEDIA ACCREDITATION IN CONNECTION WITH THE MAY 14, 2001 NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS

WHEREAS, the May 14, 2001 national and local elections is a major political exercise and mass media should be given access to polling places and canvassing centers to cover events and proceedings relative thereto;

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the powers vested in it by the Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code and other election laws, the Commission has RESOLVED to promulgate as it hereby promulgates as follows:

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the Commission to provide true, objective and accurate information about the conduct and results of the May14, 2001 national and local elections by extending to duly-accredited reporters, correspondents, stringers, cameramen, photographers and other members of the news/editorial staff of local and foreign mass media free access to polling places and canvassing centers.

Sec. 2. Procedure for Accreditation. – Only legitimate mass media shall be accredited by the Commission. Applications for accreditation shall be filed in writing, any time from the date of effectivity of this Resolution with the following offices:

1. With the Education and Information Department (EID), Intramuros, Manila in the case of foreign media and local media with coverage in Metro Manila or media entity with nationwide reach or circulation. EID shall process the application and submit its recommendations within three (3) days from receipt to the en banc for immediate actions;

2. With the office of the Regional Election Director or the office of the Provincial Election Supervisor in the case of regional and provincial correspondents of national publication/broadcast media entities and members of the news/editorial staff of publications/broadcast media entities with regional, provincial, city or municipality reach or circulation.

The Regional Election Director and Provincial Election Supervisor, as the case may be, shall process the application and submit, within three (3) days from receipt, his recommendation, through the EID to the en banc for immediate action.

Upon approval, EID shall prepare the corresponding media pass for the signature of the Chairman.

Sec. 3. Documentary Requirements . – All applications for accreditation shall be supported by:

a. Local Media.-

  1. Duly accomplished information sheet:

  2. Two (2) ID size photographs of the applicant; and

  3. Endorsement from the newspaper, television or radio station or other mass media entity employing the applicant. In no case shall an application endorsed by an entity other than the applicant’s direct employer be given due course.

b. Foreign Media -

  1. Endorsement from the incumbent highest diplomatic representative, or in the absence of a diplomatic post, the highest consular representative of the home country of the applicant;

  2. In lieu of said endorsement, holders of press cards issued by the International Press Center (IPC) under the office of the Press Secretary for the year 2000 may submit photocopies of their IPC Cards;

  3. Duly accomplished Information sheet;

  4. Two (2) ID size photographs of the applicant;

  5. Documents providing a background of the applicants media organization; and

  6. Proof of membership in or sponsorship by such media organization.

The Information sheet can be obtained free of charge from the Education and Information Department, Regional Election Directors and Provincial Election Supervisors concerned.

Sec. 4. Media Pass.- Upon accreditation, EID shall distribute the corresponding media pass which shall entitled the holder to the privileges enumerated hereunder.

Sec. 5. Privileges.- Duly accredited local and foreign media shall have the following privileges:

  1. Before election day:

    1. Request any official of the government, representatives or registered political parties, organizations or coalitions, candidates or their representatives, private firm or organizations, any political party or candidate for interview or briefing on the coming electoral exercise;

    2. Observe the continuing registration of voters and other preparation activities at the offices of the election officers.

  2. On election day:

    3. Observe the conduct of elections in any locality, interview voters, political leaders and other individual outside the polling places, and document these by means of audio-visual recordings, subject to the limitation under section 6 hereof.

  3. After the election:

    1. Observe the counting of votes by the boards of election inspector (BEI) and canvassing of results by the municipal, city, provincial, district and regional boards of canvassers; and

    2. Observe the canvassing proceedings of the Commission acting as the National Board of Canvassers for Senators.

Sec. 6. Limitations.

1. Not more than three (3) representatives of media shall be allowed inside the polling place at any one time;

2. They shall present to the BEI their accreditation cards for identification purposes;

3. They shall stay only in the space reserved for watches;

4. They shall not in any manner whatsoever, interfere with or disrupt the proceedings in the polling place; and

5. They shall not engage in partisan political activities or conduct any interview inside the polling place nor shall they, in any manner whatsoever, induce, influence or cajole, any voter to vote for or against any candidate or, in any other manner, manifest a position for or against any candidate.

Sec. 7. Effectivity. – This Resolution shall take effect on the seventh day after its publication in two (2) daily newspapers of general circulation.

Sec. 8. Dissemination. – The Executive Director shall furnish the Office of the President, Office of the Press Secretary, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Information Agency, foreign embassies and consulates and all mass media organization copies of this Resolution.

The Education and Information Department shall cause the publication of this Resolution, furnish copies thereof to the Regional Election Directors, Provincial Election Supervisors, Election Officers, of the Commission; and give this Resolution the widest publicity and dissemination possible.

SO ORDERED.

(SGD.) HARRIET O. DEMETRIOU, Chairman
(SGD.) JULIO F. DESAMITO, Commissioner
(SGD.) TERESITA DY-LIACCO FLORES, Commissioner
(SGD.) LUZVIMINDA G. TANCANGCO, Commissioner
(SGD.) RALPH C. LANTION, Commissioner
(SGD.) RUFINO S.B. JAVIER, Commissioner
(SGD.) MEHOL K. SADAIN, Commissioner

Promulgated, 05 October 2000.
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