'Prepare to be bombarded,' Comelec warns public
MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court on Tuesday declared unconstitutional the Commission on Elections' prescribed airtime limits on political advertisements.
The high court nullified Comelec Resolution 9615 placing a cap on national political candidates' aggregate airtime of broadcast advertising to 120 minutes on television and 180 minutes over radio.
The 60-minute television advertising and 90-minute radio airtime limits were also stricken down in the ruling.
The poll body, meanwhile, was saddened by the decision against the aggregate airtime limit, which was implemented in the May 2013 national and local elections.
"It is with much disappointment to hear the Supreme Court's decision," Comelec said in a statement following the announcement of the ruling.
"With this new decision, the Supreme Court effectively obliterated a statutory mechanism to level the playing field by setting a cap on the quantity of media exposure candidates can buy," the poll bureau added.
It also warned the public to expect more political advertisements in the 2016 polls.