Question & AnswerQ&A (MTRCB Memorandum Circular No. 01-2015)
The MTRCB has the power to review and classify all public exhibitions of optical media materials following the transfer of review and classification functions from the Optical Media Board as per Section 27 of Republic Act No. 9239.
Public exhibition is defined as viewing or exhibiting the audio/video content of an optical media material for theatrical or non-theatrical, private or general viewing, with or without monetary or promotional consideration, which is deemed public exhibition.
The distinction between private and public viewing was removed; all forms of viewing are treated as public exhibition for regulatory purposes.
Optical media materials are classified as General Audience (GA), Parental Guidance (PG), Restricted-13 (R-13), Restricted-16 (R-16), or Restricted-18 (R-18) according to standards under MTRCB Memorandum Circular No. 08-2012.
No, the rating for private viewing under previous rules was repealed; all classifications now apply to public exhibition only.
All trailers and publicity materials must conform to the General Audience (GA) classification. Those that do not meet this rating are not approved for exhibition in any optical media material, and the corresponding Trailer Advisory must be displayed for at least three seconds before the trailer.
The official MTRCB logo and the corresponding color-coded film pictogram classification rating must be prominently displayed on the printed packaging and the disc label.
The review, classification, and appeal procedures follow the same rules applicable to motion pictures under Chapters VI and VII of the 2004 Implementing Rules and Regulations of P.D. 1986.
Violations shall be subject to appropriate administrative and criminal prosecution in accordance with Section 11 of P.D. 1986 and Chapter XIII of its 2004 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations.
The rules took effect fifteen days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation and filing with the Office of the National Administrative Register at the University of the Philippines Law Center.