Comelec exec: No violation in survey results publication 15 days before May 9

Comelec exec: No violation in publication of survey results 15 days before May 9

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez. INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — There is no violation in publishing election survey results, involving national candidates, 15 days before Election Day.

This was according to Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson James Jimenez on Tuesday, as Pulse Asia released the results of its voter preference surveys for president, vice president, and senators on May 2, seven days before the polls on May 9.

Jimenez was asked on the social media site Twitter if the release of survey results was in violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 9006 or the Fair Elections Act.

“No. The provision being cited – Sec. 5.4 of RA 9006 – was struck down by the Supreme Court for being unconstitutional,” the spokesman responded.

Section 5.4 of RA No. 9006 states: “Surveys affecting national candidates shall not be published fifteen (15) days before election and surveys affecting local candidates shall not be published seven (7) days before an election.”

But Jimenez cited GR No. 147571, declaring the said section unconstitutional.

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