The country’s national regulatory agency, Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) speak up on the latest controversies involving a political ad which allegedly uses minors to attack a particular presidential candidate, the Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
In an official statement released by MTRCB on their Twitter account, the government agency announced that they wishes to “inform the gen public that it is the COMELEC w/c has sole jurisdiction to regulate political TV ads under the Fair Elections Act.”
ABS-CBN already confirmed that the controversial ad was paid by Sen. Antonio Trillanes, which uses children questioning Duterte’s use of foul language. The said ad was also featured in the official Facebook Page of Sen. Trillanes as early as April 29, 2016.
Netizens took to social media to share their disappointment on the TV stations who aired the controversial ad which uses children as they noted that it clearly violates the Fair Election Act in the Philippines. Some netizen also compared the ad used by former Sen. Manny Villar who was charged with a case for using children during the previous election.
Some broadcasters such as Karen Davila, Kat De Castro and Teddy Locsin also posted on their respective social media accounts their anger against the networks who showed the ads on primetime TV.
Here’s the Official Statement of MTRCB:
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
