Photo: Malacañang, Barbie the Movie
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday said he saw nothing wrong with the movie ‘Barbie.’
The film previously sparked controversy due to the alleged depiction of China’s nine-dash line.
The line represents China’s territorial claim on West Philippine Sea, which violated the sovereignty of several countries, including the Philippines.
“Maganda raw, sabi nila,” Marcos said in a chance interview with reporters in Northern Samar.
(It’s beautiful, they said.)
Palace, in a statement, said the President expressed his sentiments on the film “after some concerns came out on the supposed depiction of a map that shows China’s alleged territorial claims in the South China Sea through the so-called nine-dash line.”
According to Marcos, the movie was purely fictitious, taking no issue with the film.
“Siyempre, ‘yung sinasabi nila, ‘yung kasama doon sa ‘yung boundary line na ginawa. Ang sagot ko doon, ‘What do you expect? It’s a work of fiction,’” the Chief Executive said.
(Of course, what they are saying, what was included there was the boundary line that was done. My answer is, ‘What do you expect? It’s a work of fiction.)
Vietnam had previously banned ‘Barbie’ because of this part.
The decision prompted some lawmakers in the Philippines to seek a similar prohibition.
Senator Francis Tolentino, vice chairman of Senate committee on foreign relations, criticized the film.
He believes it disrespects the South China Sea Arbitral Ruling, which found China’s nine-dash line and reclamation activities to be unlawful.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada also agreed the showing of ‘Barbie’ in local theaters must be forbidden.
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