The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has promised Senator Robinhood "Robin" Padilla it would not allow the showing in the Philippines of the Hollywood film "Plane" because it put the Philippines in a bad light.

In a statement, Padilla said Saturday, Feb. 18, that he received such commitment from MTRCB officials led by Chairperson Diorella "Lala" Sotto when they met at his Senate office on Friday, Feb. 17.

"Opo. Ang sabi nila sa akin, kinausap po nila ang distributor. At ngayon ang gusto natin masulatan natin ang mismong producer (Yes, they told me they have talked to the film's Philippine distributor. And now we want to write to the producers of the film)," Padilla said in an interview on DWIZ radio Saturday, Feb. 18, when asked if he received a commitment from the MTRCB not to allow the showing of the film in the Philippines.

Padilla also thanked Sotto for her promise to call the attention of the film's Philippine distributor.

He said he explained to Sotto his reasons for calling for a ban on the Philippine showing of the film.

In his manifestation last Feb. 15 during a Senate plenary session, Padilla condemned the bad image of the Philippines in "Plane", saying the reputation of the Motherland is at stake.

He referred to the film showing Jolo is controlled by rebels, with government forces no longer there.

Padilla noted the film's bad image of the Philippines comes at a time the Philippines is trying to revive its tourism after the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also voiced concern over the film's portrayal of Jolo residents as siding with the terrorists.

"Sabi ko sana kung pinandigan na lang ng pelikulang ito na fiction lang siya, hindi na nila nilagay ang Pilipinas (If the producers of the film claim it is fiction, they should not have said the story happened in the Philippines)," he said.

In a separate interview on SMNI on Friday, Padilla reiterated he cannot keep quiet on the matter because he chairs the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media.

He also chided "critics" who questioned his protests against the film.

"Hindi tayo pwedeng manahimik dito... Ang panawagan ko sa inyo, pagdating sa oras na ang bayan natin ay inaalipusta at minamaliit, huwag natin ipagtanggol ang dayuhang ito... Nasaan ang ating pagiging makabayan pag ganitong oras na ang ating imahe ay minamaliit (I cannot keep quiet. And I call on you not to side with the foreigners when our country is being attacked like this. Where is our sense of nationalism when our image is being attacked)?" he said.

Padilla also said he wants to give the MTRCB the mandate to issue guidelines where films that may damage the Philippines' reputation not be shown here.

"Ang condition, huwag sirain ang bansa natin (One condition to consider is that the film should not damage the Philippines' reputation)," he said.