Malacañang advised the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to consider the statements of lawmakers on their decision to regulate the content of video-on-demand (VOD) platforms like Netflix, especially at a time when the budget of agencies are being deliberated.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement as the public slam MTRCB for calling on lawmakers to allow them to regulate video content in streaming platforms.

Roque said advised MTRCB chair Rachel Arenas to think twice about ignoring the reaction of the public, particularly of the lawmakers especially since budget deliberations for 2021 is around the corner.

"Ang aking suggestion lang po, sa panahon ng budget, Ma'am Rachel, mukhang mahirap baliwalain ang sinasabi ng Kongreso, lalong-lalo na kung ang nagsalita na po ay ang (My only suggestion, especially at this time of budget hearings, Ma'am Rachel, it's difficult to ignore what the Congress is saying, especially if the one who spoke is the) Speaker of the House," he said.

Roque reminded Arenas that Congress is only making sure that public funds are used correctly by government agencies.

"I-consider po ang mga suggestions ng ating mga mambabatas dahil sila naman po ang nagpopondo ng ating mga ahensiya (Consider the suggestions of lawmakers because they are the ones funding the agencies)," he said.

Roque said the Palace respects the move of the MTRCB to regulate the video content of Netflix and other similar platforms.

"Evaluate carefully po lalong-lalo na 'yung sinabi ni Speaker Alan Cayetano na hindi na kinakailangang gawin 'yan (Evaluate carefully especially the statement of Speaker Cayetano that your move is unnecessary)," he said.

"But we respect and bow to your discretion," he added.