Padilla wants to expand MTRCB’s power to include online streaming services

September 4, 2024 | 3:39pm

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Robin Padilla wants to broaden the scope of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to include online streaming services. 

During the Senate plenary session on Tuesday, Padilla said that the MTRCB’s charter is outdated. 

“Pinakabago sa ating panukala ay ang pagsasailalim ng mga on-demand online streaming services sa saklaw ng ahensya. Hindi po nangangahulugan sa dagdag na saklaw na ito na literal na i-review nila lahat ang pelikula sapagkat ito po ay humanly impossible,” Padilla said. 

(The newest in our proposal is to include on-demand online streaming services in the purview of the agency. This does not mean that they have to literally review all the films because it will not be humanly possible.)  

Without elaborating on what these are, Padilla said that the MTRCB should be able to approve and disapprove content that could encourage others to do crime and negatively impact public order. 

This will also include allowing the MTRCB to work with the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the National Telecommunications Commission. 

Sen. Grace Poe, who was a former MTRCB chairperson, supported the measure. 

“With a wide range of content and easy access to these platforms, it is crucial here that we uphold responsible and effective self-regulation in all avenues where movies and television programs are shown.  As always, we call for intelligent media viewership, not censorship,” Poe said. 

MTRCB Chairperson Lala Sotto-Antonio earlier defended the board’s budget at the Senate, where she was asked why they gave an X rating to several films, namely the Christmas movie “Dear Satan” and documentary “Alipato at Muog”. 

“Alipato at Muog” details the enforced disappearance of Jonas Burgos and was directed by his brother, JL Burgos. 

For “Dear Satan,” Sotto-Antoniio said that it offended her as a Chirstian, while the “Alipato at Muog” documentary was said to undermine the people’s faith in the government. 

In a Facebook post, JL said that they have already appealed the MTRCB’s rating.

“There is nothing subversive about a family’s search for justice. Alipato at Muog is a stand against enforced disappearance and human rights violations. Additionally, there is no subversion law in the Philippines,” JL wrote. 

The controversy has sparked concerns of censorship among artists, with some calling for its abolishment.