Senate approves bill giving the MTRCB regulatory power over online streaming platforms

In a vote of 21-1-0, the Senate on Monday, June 2, approved on third and final reading a bill that would include online streaming platforms under the mandate of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).

(C) MTRCB

Senate Bill 2805 sponsor Sen. Robinhood Padilla says it’s needed to uphold “decency and morality” standards, noting that Western content may need review to protect young viewers.

Under Section 6 (b) of the bill:

“For on-demand streaming services, the Board may, if necessary, require a reclassification after showing or streaming, upon the final decision of the Board.”

Currently, the MTRCB) is a government agency mandated with reviewing and classifying movies and television programs to "ensure that they comply with the country's standards for decency and morality and that they are suitable for public viewing."

In a press release, Sen. Risa Hontiveros revealed she was the lone “No” vote on the bill. According to Hontiveros, it may grant the board overly broad powers to censor even speech protected by the 1987 Constitution. The Directors' Guild of the Philippines Inc. also strongly opposed the bill, believing it "impinges on a struggling local film industry."

(C) FB: DGPI