The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board has no authority to review any political advertisement broadcast during the election period.
MTRCB Chairman Eugenio Villareal said it is the Commission on Elections that has jurisdiction over television advertisements during the campaign.
The MTRCB was reacting to complaints about the recent commercials that showed minors criticizing presidential aspirant Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
“In response to continuous queries and feedback over traditional and social media, the MTRCB reiterates that it does not, as a matter of law and practice, preview any political advertisement for broadcast during the election period,” said Villareal.
“The agency furthers affirms its regular policy of respect and deference to the Comelec, which has jurisdiction to supervise and regulate such advertisements under the Omnibus Election Code, the Fair Elections Act, and Comelec Resolution 10049,” Villareal said.
“At the same time, advertisers and networks [should] observe self-regulation in regard to content,” the MTRCB chairperson said.
The MTRCB published the advisory in its website after it was defaced by hackers who questioned the airing of negative advertisements against Duterte on major television networks.
The 30-second anti-Duterte advertisement supposedly paid for by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV showed several children questioning the morality of electing the mayor as president.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano secured a temporary restraining order against the advertisement from a Taguig Court on Thursday.