ABS-CBN says airing 'legitimate' Trillanes-produced ad its 'duty'

Local court imposes halt order on network

MANILA, Philippines — Television giant ABS-CBN said the political advertisement aired during primetime on Thursday night that caught fire on social media did not violate election laws.

In a statement, the company said the ad, featuring children criticizing presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, was paid for by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, who is running for vice president and has earlier endorsed the presidential bid of his colleague, Sen. Grace Poe.

ABS-CBN's executives said the ad was "legitimate" and did not violate known rules.

"Prior to the airing, ABS-CBN’s ethics committee reviewed the content of the material, which complies with the requirements of pertinent election laws," it said.

The network also cited an rule by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) not to discriminate in the sale of air time on radio and television against any political party or candidate.

"We are duty bound to air a legitimate ad," the network said.

Under Republic Act 9006, or the act on the conduct of free and honest elections, "lawful" election material include propaganda "for or against a candidate or group of candidates to any public office."

Promulgated in February 2001, the law requires, however, that election propaganda are identified by the words "political advertisement paid for" followed by the correct name and address of the candidate or party for whose benefit the material was printed or aired.

The Comelec said on Friday that it has no say on the content of the political advertisements, even as they have placed a cap on the total duration of broadcast ads paid by political entities or individuals.

TRO

Duterte's running mate, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, on Friday also filed a petition asking the Taguig Regional Trial Court to stop Trillanes's ad deemed scathing for the presidential frontrunner's campaign.

The court immediately replied to Cayetano's plea, issuing a temporary restraining order against ABS-CBN for 72-hours from airing the advertisement. The campaign period ends tomorrow, May 7.

The resolution, signed by Executive Judge Lorifel Lacap Pahimna, said minors are being used in the "black propaganda."

"It must be suppressed at once, as repeated broadcasting of the same will be irreparably inimical to children's welfare and interest," Pahimna said in the resolution.

Requirements not met

Another network, TV5, meanwhile, denied speculations that it aired a similar advertisement produced by Trillanes against Duterte.

"The particular political advertisement was not aired by TV5 because there were certain requirements that were not compiled with," the network said.

The network said, however, that it does not favor any political candidate or party.