LTFRB OKs political ads on public utility vehicles

MANILA, Philippines – Political advertisements can be posted on public utility vehicles (PUV) as long as it complies with the rules set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec),  the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced on Tuesday.

“LTFRB allows political advertisement placement only in Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs), Public Utility Buses (PUBs), and taxis as long as it meets the rules and regulations on Election Propaganda set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and pass standard requirements and guidelines in the processing, approval, and issuance of permit on transit advertisement set by LTFRB through Memorandum Circular 2013-005 (MC 2013-005) which was amended by Memorandum Circular 2015-029(MC 2015-029) particularly item C section III of MC 2013-005 which lifted the prohibition of political advertisements on PUVs to be given a permit,” the board said in a statement.

“This follows the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of 1-UTAK vs. Comelec promulgated on April 14, 2015, lifting the Comelec prohibition of political Ads on PUVs,” it added.

LTFRB said those who wish to post their campaign materials on PUVs should secure a permit and pay the required fees.

“Failure to abide by the specifications and standards provided under the memorandum has the minimum penalty of P10,000 fine with the maximum punishment of revocation of franchise,” the LTFRB said.

Below are the rules on PUV advertisements that operators should follow.

1. Transit advertisement shall neither constitute a traffic hazard nor compromise the safety, comfort and convenience of passengers and the public, in general;

1. Transit advertisement must not impede, limit or obstruct in any way the driver’s line of sight;

1. All advertising matters to be installed shall conform to the standards relative to morality, decency and public safety, in accordance with but not limited to, government regulations and the Code of Ethics of the Ad Standards Council;

1. Required PUV identification and operational information shall not be hindered. Specifications of mandatory markings including, but not limited to, company and/or trade name, license plate, body number, “May Reklamo ka ba? Itawag sa LTFRB hotline 0921-448-7777, 426-2515”, City or Provincial mode of operation, designation, authorized route, mandated by previous Memorandum Circulars shall not be reduced, diminished, or obscured;

1. It is understood that all transit advertising materials shall be installed in such a manner as not to cover the trade name, the license plate number and body number of the vehicle, or make it any difficult for the riding public to identify the bus;

1. No transit advertising permit shall be granted to units with expired franchises even with application for extension of validity of CPC, and to suspend units even with motion to lift order of suspension.

Meantime, ride-hailing company Grab Philippines earlier said political ads are not allowed on its service vehicles. / gsg

READ: Grab Philippines prohibits political ads in service vehicles