GMA Network, Inc. v. COMELEC, G.R. No. 205357, September 2, 2014
Ponente: PERALTA, J. Special Civil Actions in the Supreme Court. Certiorari and Prohibition. Summary: Petitioners: GMA Network, Inc., ABC Development Corporation, Manila Broadcasting Company, Inc., Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) and ABS-CBN Corporation, Radio Mindanao Network, Inc., and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano (Petitioner-Intervenor) Respondents: Commission on Elections COMELEC issued a resolution that changed the total amount of allowable airtime to electoral candidates from a per-station basis to an aggregate basis (total time for all stations), and petitioners claim it encroaches on the right to freedom of speech. The petition was partially granted. ---------------------------------------- Facts: Five separate petitions combined questioning the constitutionality of various sections of COMELEC Resolution No. 9615, which reinterprets Section 6 of Republic Act No. 9006 (Fair Election Act) Section 7 (d) – imposes criminal liability on networks in case of exc...