Advertisement in a newspaper of general nationwide circulation

Mikel wrote:How do we determine if a newspaper is of general nationwide circulation? Is there a government agency from which we could ask "Certification" that such newspaper is of general nationwide circulation? Thank you very much for the assistance.

sunriser431 wrote:

Mikel wrote:How do we determine if a newspaper is of general nationwide circulation? Is there a government agency from which we could ask "Certification" that such newspaper is of general nationwide circulation? Thank you very much for the assistance.

In determining whether a newspaper is a newspaper sufficient to be considered a newspaper of “general circulation” for the purposes of publication of most official notices, including legal notices, the newspaper meets the objective criteria as contained in section 21.2 of the revised IRR of RA#9184
21.2.1. xxxx
a) xxxx newspaper of general nationwide circulation which has been regularly published for at least two (2) years before the date of issue of the advertisement.
In my opinion First the publication should be available in all parts of the county (not just limited to geographic region) Second, it should be published regularly and lastly, it should be in existence for 2 years.

engrjhez wrote:

Mikel wrote:Please allow me to share what I had researched regarding my query – in Perez v. Perez, GR NO. 143768, March 28, 2005, the Supreme Court, citing FMI vs. MTBC (GR No. 115068, Nov. 28, 1996), stated that -

“To be a newspaper of general circulation, it is enough that it is published for the dissemination of local news and general information; that it has a bona fide subscription list of paying subscribers; and that it is published at regular intervals. The newspaper must not also be devoted to the interests or published for the entertainment of a particular class, profession, trade, calling, race or religious denomination. The newspaper need not have the largest circulation so long as it is of general circulation.” (Emphasis mine)

Although the term defined herein is “ a newspaper of general circulation where the real property is located” (BTW, this case involves sale of foreclosed real property), I think the definition is applicable to RA 9184, by substituting the word “local” with “national”.

Please comment. Thank you very much.

We are missing an adjective here that is so important in the definition - NATIONWIDE. Let us read on Sec.2.2.1.a :

Advertised at least once in one (1) newspaper of general nationwide circulation which has been regularly published for at least two (2) years before the date of issue of the advertisement;

Hence the except from the jurisprudence cited above may be referred to but is not directly applicable to RA.9184. The term 'general circulation' is not actually ambiguous but rather less restrictive. Simply said, general circulation provides the definition of by itself and the 'audience criteria' that, as amang1965 correctly pointed out, applicable to children, teens, and adults alike. But when the adjective nationwide is inserted, the term narrows down to the specific definition of 'circulation'. General nationwide circulation, once used, can never pertain to any a simple "local" newspaper as the term 'local' used in the Philippine Law context pertains to political divisions such as regions, provinces, municipalities, and the barangay.

Conclusively, 'nationwide' is a categorical term which need not interpretation of its usage. If a newspaper reaches out the three (3) main islands of the Philippine Archipelago (i.e. Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao), then it could be considered of 'nationwide circulation'. Combining with the definition of 'general circulation', we should be able to understand the term better.

RDV wrote:
The term "general nationwide" would refer to a newspaper which appears daily in the major cities in the Philippines. Whether the newspaper is only a tabloid, not a broadsheet, it does not matter, so long as it appears daily in the major cities in Luzon, Visayas and in Mindanao. Maybe, that would be clearer.

Sorry, I got carried away, hehe.