Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 3060)
The official name of the Board created under Republic Act No. 3060 is the Board of Censors for Motion Pictures.
The Board of Censors for Motion Pictures is under the Office of the President of the Philippines.
The Board is composed of a Chairman and twenty-four other members, all appointed by the President of the Philippines with the consent of the Commission on Appointments.
A person must be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, at least thirty-five years old, of good moral character, and not directly connected with the motion picture or television industries.
The President must appoint at least three nominees from each of the following: professional organizations, religious organizations, educational associations, child and/or welfare organizations, civic associations, cultural organizations, and associations of newspapermen.
The primary duty is to screen, censor, examine, approve or disapprove motion pictures for distribution in the Philippines, ensuring they are not immoral, indecent, contrary to law or customs, or injurious to the prestige of the Philippines or its people.
The Board classifies motion pictures into those for general patronage and those for adults only.
The Board must render its approval or disapproval within ten days from receipt of the application and the actual materials for review.
An appeal may be made to a committee composed of the Undersecretaries of Justice, National Defense, and Education within fifteen days from receipt of the Board's decision.
Except Board members, the Board's appointed staff, and two representatives each from the distributor/producer and exhibitor of the film, no other persons are allowed inside the screening room during examination.
Violating this provision is punishable by imprisonment of six months to two years, a fine of six hundred to two thousand pesos, or both. If the offender is an alien, deportation follows and the license to operate the theater or television is revoked.
Exhibitors must post and display the certificate or label of approval at conspicuous places near theater entrances and include the classification announcement in cinema advertisements.
Only persons eighteen years of age or older are allowed to enter theaters or shows featuring motion pictures classified 'for adults only'. Those below eighteen who misrepresent their age or employees selling to minors are committing unlawful acts.
A motion picture is a completed composite print of any silent or sound motion film or tape, in black and white or color, that produces moving images on a projection or television screen through mechanical means.
Non-theatrical distribution refers to public showings using mobile projection equipment without admission fees, or showings to organizations like schools or clubs featuring educational, documentary, cultural, or instructional films.
A preview session is the examination of films by the Board, with a duration of not less than two hours.
They must be returned by the importer or distributor to the country of origin or outside the Philippines within thirty days, and any customs duties and internal revenue taxes paid will be refunded by the government.
It repeals Act Numbered Thirty-five hundred eighty-two and all other inconsistent Acts or parts of Acts.