"After the changes are made and are found to be satisfactory, I will watch and personally endorse the film."
Senator Robinbood Padilla issued this statement after the distributor of a Hollywood film, ‘Plane,’’ has assured the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) that the film would no longer be shown in Philippine cinema houses, streaming services, or online movie platforms.
‘’But when racism is present in a film and when our country is misrepresented, we have no choice but to defend our country and our people. This is true especially in my case, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media,’’ Padilla said.
The local distributor of the film already agreed to recall it and cut the scenes and dialogues that depict racist comments on Jolo, the Philippines, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and our government, he added.
‘'First, I would like to congratulate you, dearest brethren in race and arts. As an actor, definitely, I support all workers in the industry. Citizenship is not the issue - it has never been and it will never be,’’ he stressed.
MTRCB Chairperson Lala Sotto-Antonio had acceded to Padilla’s request that Plane should be banned in the Philippines.
In a public hearing by the Padilla committee last Thursday, Sotto expressed her gratitude to Senators Francis “Tol” Tolentino, Grace Poe, and Win Gatchalian for filing separate bills that would amend and expand the mandate of the board.
Sotto had revealed that the Hollywood movie Plane would no longer be shown in Philippines after Pioneer, the company that distributes the film, wrote her office that it was withdrawing the film.