Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) chairperson Lala Sotto-Antonio on Thursday, February 23, expressed her gratitude to Senators Francis “Tol” Tolentino, Grace Poe and Sherwin Gatchalian for filing separate bills that would amend and expand the mandate of the Board.
“We welcome the move to amend the charter of the MTRCB as it will allow the agency to adequately adapt to changes in technology and the ever-evolving needs of the viewing public and our other stakeholders,” Sotto-Antonio said when she appeared before the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media chaired by Senator Robinhood C. Padilla.
“With regard to video and online gaming, the MTRCB believes in the necessity to regulate video and online games to protect the safety and well-being of the youth,” she added.
During the same committee hearing, Sotto-Antonio revealed that the Hollywood movie ‘’Plane’’ would no longer be shown in Philippine cinema houses and streaming services or online movie platforms.
This is because Pioneer, the company that distributes the film, wrote her office that it was withdrawing the firm, she said.
This means the MTRCB would no longer re-evaluate the film based on a request of Padilla that ‘Plane’ should be banned, Sotto explained.
Padilla had noted that the film made it to appear that there is no government military presence in Jolo, Sulu during a hostage-taking scene.
Sotto said the distributor of fhe film could ask MTRCB to have the film shown if the “objectionable” scene is deleted.
Padilla, himself a product of the entertainment industry, said the committee would try to expound on: first, the expansion of MTRCB's powers; second, the MTRCB's mandate to approve, disapprove and delete objectionable parts of the show; third, integration of video and online games and outdoor media in the scope of MTRCB; and fourth, the inclusion of online streaming platforms and on-demand streaming services in the jurisdiction of the MTRCB.
“Our goal today is to make sure that our guidance is strong and effective for the viewers, especially our youth, from shows and audio-visual media in any mode, form and platform,” Padilla said in Filipino.
“I repeat, we don't want censorship. We are not against the free and creative arts; rather, we are on the side of intelligent monitoring against unacceptable media such as content that is immoral, obscene, or promotes beliefs against the law and morality of society and of course, the feature that concerns your servant -- damage to the reputation and dignity of our Motherland Philippines,” he added.
Senator Grace Poe raised the possibility of regulating the content of online sites and streaming services.
During the hearing, the former MTRCB chairperson said streaming platforms should implement more stringent self-regulation and be monitored to ensure that their content are age-appropriate, especially for young viewers.
She also suggested requiring streaming services to secure legislative franchises before they are allowed to operate in the country like cable and broadcast companies.
Poe said she supports measures that would update and expand the powers of the MTRCB and help the local entertainment industry.
"We want to make sure that MTRCB keeps up with the constantly-changing media industry," she added.
Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. said he supports expanding the mandate of the MTRCB to keep Philippine movies and TV shows "appropriate and accurate”.
Revilla said that the MTRCB should continuously adapt to changing demands and trends of the industry.
"Art in all its glory should always bend in accordance with set rules and guidelines in order not to offend, and certainly not to tarnish reputation and image," he said.
Revilla, an award-winning actor turned politician, expressed hope that an enhanced MTRCB would help young viewers to have better morals and behavior.