Padilla: ‘Barbie’ film PH screening possible sans China’s nine-dash claim

Senator Robin Padilla (File photo from Senate)

(Updated to reflect correct attribution)

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Padilla said that the film”Barbie” could be shown in Philippine theaters if the part about Beijing’s nine-dash line claim in the South China Sea is removed.

“Barbie” was directed by Greta Gerwig, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.

“Kung makakaapekto po ito sa arbitral ruling, pero kung payag at pwede namang i-edit out ng producer ang eksenang ito, para sa akin ay no problem. Pwede po siyang ipalabas,” Padilla said in a statement.

(If this will affect the arbitral ruling, but if the producers agree and they can edit the scene, there is no problem for me. It can be shown.)

But if the producers [of Barbie] refuse,  the film should not be distributed in the Philippines,  Padilla added.

“Ang lahat ng ito ay nakadepende sa nilalaman at kung hanggang saan papayag ang producer na putulin nila ang bahagi na hindi pabor sa arbitral ruling,” Padilla said.

(All this will depend on the content and to what extent its producers will allow the cutting out of the part that does not favor the arbitral ruling.)

Padilla heads the Senate committee on public information and mass media.

In 2016, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration affirmed Manila’s sovereignty over the resource-rich West Philippine Sea, dismissing China’s claims. China, however, rejects this ruling.

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APL/abc