SC spokesman apologizes for wrong announcement on airtime decision

MANILA, Philippines—Supreme Court Spokesman Theodore Te apologizes after making a mistake in declaring that a status quo ante order instead of a temporary restraining order was issued against the airtime limits on political advertisements.

“For the confusion on the TRO-SQAO, I was told of the order and that the status quo as of 2010 was to be observed. I assume wrongly that the Supreme Court was issuing a SQAO,” Te said in a text message.

“That later, the Supreme Court issued a TRO is certainly beyond my control.  [I] apologize for the confusion and the error, the mistake is mine,” Te added.

In a resolution released by the high court Thursday, it noted that what was issued against the implementation of Commission on Elections (Comelec) airtime limits on political advertisements was a temporary restraining order.

However, last Tuesday, the high court, through its information chief Theodore Te announced that a status quo ante order (SQAO) was issued.

An SQAO is issued to preserve the last actual peaceable and uncontested status before the litigation or filing of a petition which means, on this case, as if there is no Comelec resolution to implement yet.

A TRO, on the other hand, may be issued to prevent the implementation of a particular order, directive or action. A TRO is granted to prevent the adversary from acting to frustrate the purpose of the action.