No authority over cha-cha ad – MTRCB

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 16) --- The government agency in charge of screening broadcast content on Tuesday said it has no authority to probe the controversial television commercial campaigning for constitutional change.

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) issued the statement after former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque called for a probe on the airing of the advertisement.

“The board clarifies that it has no authority to screen, review, and examine commercials and advertisements, except for those categorized as publicity materials/promotional material as defined in Presidential Decree No. 1986 and its implementing rules and regulations,” the MTRCB statement read.

PD 1986 defines publicity materials as “any material used to generate public interest in a motion picture or television program such as television commercials, movie, and television trailers, print advertisements, still photos, photo frames, leaflets, posters and billboards and other related media."

The MTRCB said an industry group is the proper venue to investigate the matter.

“The board recognizes the authority of the Ad Standards Council of the Philippines as the advertising industry’s self-regulatory body responsible for overseeing advertising and brand communication materials across all media to safeguard consumers’ interests and ensure honest, fair, and responsible advertising,” it said.

The paid advertisement called for the amendment of the 1987 Constitution, claiming that the charter after the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution halted the country’s progress by blocking global investors and only benefited local businessmen.

The advertisement also used the catch phrase “EDSA-pwera,” a play on EDSA and the Filipino word for “left out.”

The Makabayan bloc at the House of Representatives filed a resolution seeking an inquiry on the possible use of public funds to finance the commercial.