FILE PHOTO: Senator Robinhood C. Padilla presides over the hybrid hearing of the committee on public information and mass media on Thursday, February 23, 2023, to review the mandate of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Robin Padilla on Saturday said he would watch and personally recommend the Gerard Butler movie “Planes” after “changes are made and they are found to be satisfactory.”
The neophyte legislator issued this remark after registering his strong opposition to the screening of the American action thriller movie in the Philippines. According to him, the film includes parts that besmirch the Philippines’ image.
On Thursday, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) revealed that the distributor has voluntarily pulled out the movie from the Philippines.
“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, and our government. After the changes are made and they are found to be satisfactory, I will watch and personally endorse the film,” Padilla said in a statement.
“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,” he also said.
READ; Robin Padilla seeks MTRCB ban, condemnation of Gerard Butler movie ‘Plane’
Padilla, himself a product of the entertainment industry, continued to justify his position: “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.”
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