MTRCB: Comelec has jurisdiction on political ads

MANILA, Philippines — Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) reacted to criticisms on Friday following a scathing political ad depicting children aired during primetime on Thursday night.

In a statement posted on its social media account, the board said it is not the one responsible for the political advertisements on television.

Celebrities like Robin Padilla, who supports presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte whom the ad is purportedly directed to, have expressed their dismay with the ad.

 

A photo posted by robin padilla (@robinhoodpadilla) on

May 5, 2016 at 10:08am PDT

“Children should not be used in black propaganda, no matter what the situation is,” he said in the caption.

However, the MTRCB explained that “it is the [Commission on Elections] which has sole jurisdiction to regulate political TV ads under the Fair Elections Act.”

MTRCB informs the gen public that it is the COMELEC w/c has sole jurisdiction to regulate political TV ads under the Fair Elections Act.

- MTRCB (@MTRCBgov) May 5, 2016

Under the Republic Act 9006 or the Fair Elections Act, it was mentioned that the candidates vying for a national position are entitled to 120 minutes of TV advertisement, while for those vying for local position are entitled for 60 minutes of TV advertisement.

There was no mention, however, prohibiting the use of children for political ads. — Joyce Jimenez