Padilla bill gives MTRCB more teeth vs ‘national, racial, religious hatred’ content
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Robin Padilla is seeking to give more teeth to the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) in approving and prohibiting the distribution of films, television programs and publicity materials that “express national, racial or religious hatred.”
Padilla, who chairs the Senate public information and mass media committee, recently filed Senate Bill No. 1940, which aims to strengthen and expand the mandate, capabilities and organizational structure of the MTRCB by amending Presidential Decree No. 1986.
PD No. 1986, signed by then President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., establishes the MTRCB as an agency that regulates the public exhibition of motion pictures, television programs and publicity materials.
“Almost 40 years since its creation, MTRCB proves to be bereft of the opportunity to address the changing demands of our time because of its limiting jurisdiction, organizational structure and operational competence. It also lacks enabling powers to cover potent types of visual media that have proliferated in many forms, including online streaming platforms, on-demand streaming services and even video games,” Padilla explained in his bill.
If passed into law, the measure will give the MTRCB the duty to approve and prohibit the distribution of movies, television programs and publicity materials that “express national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility, violence or stereotyping or prejudice against the Filipino people, indigenous people or any ethnic group within or outside the country.”
Among those that may be used by the MTRCB as grounds to disapprove or prohibit the distribution of movies, television programs and publicity materials will likewise include those deemed dangerous “for the protection of national security, public order or public health.”
It will also expand the coverage of the regulatory body to content–both imported or produced in the Philippines–streamed through online platforms, on-demand streaming services and any other similar technology.
Notably, movies, television programs, publicity materials or advertisements produced, imprinted or exhibited by the Philippine government will not be placed under the jurisdiction of the MTRCB, according to Padilla’s proposed measure.
The MTRCB will also be allowed to “exercise quasi-judicial function to hear and decide cases for violation of this Act and impose administrative sanctions” such as:
- Imposition of fines and penalties
- Preventive custody of equipment and materials used in the exhibition and/or copying of movies, suspension
- Non-renewal or cancellation of the licenses or permits to operate and/or exhibit
- Suspension of television programs
- Seizure and confiscation of the objectionable material being exhibited or shown sans approval of the board or in violation of the Act
- Closure of movie theaters, television stations, cable television networks, establishments or entities engaged in the public exhibition of movies, television programs and publicity materials
- Blocking or banning of online platforms and on-demand streaming platforms that violate the provisions of the Act
“For this purpose, the board shall have the power to cite in contempt persons or entities willfully disregarding its process, to issue summons, and subpoena or subpoena duces tecum to compel the attendance of witnesses and production of documents and other effects,” the bill further noted.
Padilla’s proposed measure came after the action star-turned-lawmaker sought to condemn and ban Hollywood fictional film “Plane” for supposedly tarnishing the image of the Philippines.
READ: MTRCB to reevaluate ‘Plane’ movie after senators’ uproar
The move to further expand the MTRCB’s powers, however, previously met stern opposition from the Directors Guild of the Philippines Inc., who instead sought to abolish the board and allow the industry to self-regulate.
