QuestionsQuestions (MTRCB)
All motion pictures, television programs, and related publicity materials intended for public exhibition in theaters and television—whether imported or produced in the Philippines—must be reviewed for classification by the MTRCB before they are exported, imported, copied, distributed, sold, leased, and exhibited.
No. The rules state that no motion picture, television program, or publicity material intended for exhibition shall be disapproved by reason of its topic, theme, or subject matter, subject to Section 201 (“Offenses Against Decency and Good Customs”) of the Revised Penal Code.
The MTRCB applies contemporary Filipino cultural values as a general standard when classifying motion pictures, television programs, and related publicity materials.
It is meant to provide parents advance information so they can decide what their children may watch. The rules also state that classification should not be based on the quality or lack of quality of the material.
Movies are classified as: (1) General Audience (G)—nothing offensive by parents with young children; minimal violence; no sexually oriented nudity; no stronger words; (2) Parental Guidance-13 (PG-13)—goes beyond G but not quite R; may contain some material inappropriate below 13; may allow some harsh sexually derived words once; (3) Strictly for Adults (R)—adult material including vulgar/profane language, considerable sex/violence, sexually oriented nudity, aberrational behavior, drug use; no one below 18 admitted; (4) Not for Public Viewing (X)—contrary to law, public order, public safety, or legitimate public interest; and for X the rules include standards akin to prurient interest, lewd depiction, or lack of serious value.
For PG-13: children below 13 may view only if accompanied by a parent or an adult. For R: no one below 18 is allowed to watch.
A motion picture classified R is automatically disqualified from exhibition on television unless it has been made to fit the standards of G and PG classification for television.
Television programs are classified as General Audience (G) or Parental Guidance (PG). G is suitable for all ages without adult guidance; PG may contain adult material but may be permissible under parental guidance.
Sexually oriented nudity is not allowed and neither is graphic violence. Strong language may be allowed only when used in proper context.
No. The rules explicitly state that movies rated PG-13 for theatrical exhibition do not automatically get a PG classification for television.
Trailers and publicity materials for movies and television must strictly be made suitable for a General Audience (G) classification. Those that do not fall within G shall not be approved for exhibition in movie houses or broadcast on television.
No. The rules state the MTRCB should not look at pieces of film/TV/publicity materials in isolation but must consider the submitted material in its entirety, based on what is seen or heard on screen—not on what is imagined.
The MTRCB must review and classify within ten (10) days from receipt of a complete application and the complete film prints/tapes/stills and publicity materials. For a second review (reclassification/reconsideration), the decision must be rendered within five (5) days from receipt.
The applicant may file a Motion for Reclassification and/or Reconsideration within five (5) days from notice of the decision, and during that period the applicant may make voluntary deletions (without suggestions from the sub-committee) noted in the Exhibition Permit as safeguards.
The applicant may appeal decisions disapproving exhibition in its entirety (under the X standard process) by filing a notice of appeal with the MTRCB within fifteen (15) days from notice of the Sub-Committee on Second Review’s decision, and paying the appeal docket fee; the President (possibly assisted by an appeals committee) has final authority.
No. The MTRCB shall not dictate specific scenes/shots/dialogue for deletion. The applicant is responsible for making voluntary deletions to arrive at the desired classification.
After deletions are made, the applicant must submit to the MTRCB two (2) sets of all deleted footage taken from the positive prints so the Board has proof of such deletions.
They must ensure strict compliance: absolutely no unaccompanied children below thirteen (13) may be admitted to theaters showing PG-13 films, and absolutely no minors may be admitted to theaters showing R films—subject to the risks of criminal prosecution and administrative penalties.