Comelec reverts to 2010 airtime rules on broadcast political advertisements

QUEZON CITY, April 19 -- The Commission on Elections will revert to 2010 airtime rules on political advertisements on radio and TV.

This is after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) received on Thursday a copy of the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court preventing the implementation of certain provisions of Resolution No. 9615.

Prior to the issuance of TRO, Comelec Resolution No. 9615 restrains candidates/registered political parties for national elective positions to go beyond a total aggregate of one hundred twenty (120) minutes of television advertising, whether appearing on national, regional, or local, free or cable television, and one hundred eighty (180) minutes of radio advertising, whether airing on national, regional, or local radio, whether by purchase or donation.

The same resolution restricts candidates and political parties for local elective positions to have more than a total aggregate of sixty (60) minutes of television advertising, whether appearing on national, regional, or local, free or cable television, and ninety (90) minutes of radio advertising, whether airing on national, regional, or local radio, whether by purchase or donation.

Media organizations petitioning against the resolution claimed that the aggregated airtime is unconstitutional and limits the electorate's sources of information.

Upon receipt of the TRO, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brilliantes said the SC orders the commission to implement immediately similar provisions under Resolution No. 8758:

(1)        For candidates and registered political parties for national elective positions, they will be allowed to have one hundred twenty (120) minutes in television or cable television, and one hundred eighty (180) minutes in radio, for all television or cable television networks, or all radio stations whether by purchase or donation, wherever located, per station; and

(2)        Those running for local positions are entitled to Sixty (60) minutes in television or cable television, and ninety (90) minutes in radio for all television or cable networlts, or all radio stations whether by purchase or donation, wherever located, per station.

Chairman Brilliantes renewed his appeal to the SC to immediately decide on the airtime limits so stakeholders will be guided accordingly.

In his previous pronouncements, he said they will ask the Office of Solicitor General to file a motion for reconsideration at the high court in their behalf.

This Friday, the Chairman will be meeting the newly appointed commissioners who replaced retired commissioners Rene Sarmiento and Armando Velasco.

Commissioner Luie Tito Guia served Papua New Guinea and Kenya as an international legal consultant while Commissioner Al Parreno was a board member of Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board. (Lyndon Plantilla, Media ng Bayan/PIA)