House to tackle bill on disclosure of survey funding

MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives will soon start floor discussions on a bill requiring full disclosure of the source of funding and financing of surveys.

Leyte congressman and Deputy Speaker Sergio Apostol, the bill’s principal author, yesterday said he expected the House to tackle it after the committee on public information endorsed the measure for plenary approval.

“Revealing the source of funding and financing of surveys will rightfully apprise the public of who are behind their conduct and their intention of doing so,” he said.

He said the measure is timely, since the nation is in the middle of an election season and some profit-oriented groups are conducting periodic surveys in the name of public service.

“While surveys can be a shining light that may guide the citizenry to decide better for themselves and their families, some opinion polls can be misleading and confusing, leading to unwarranted conclusions as to the truth of a matter of public concern,” he added.

Apostol pointed out that his proposal would stop the “practice of unscrupulous persons who may use their wealth through surveys to advance their not so noble intention of misinforming the public for personal gain.”