QuestionsQuestions (MTRCB)
The LRCs were created pursuant to Section 3(h) of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 1986 (October 5, 1985), with the MTRCB issuing the Guidelines (revised as of June 1995).
The LRC is composed of a chairman and not less than four members. The City or Municipal Mayor designates the members from local government agencies and civic, educational, and youth organizations.
LRC members serve without compensation during the term of the Mayor who appointed them, unless sooner removed by either the Mayor or the MTRCB Chairman.
The LRC assists the MTRCB in implementing any act, resolution, decision, or award of the Board, including monitoring compliance with theater registration, permits to exhibit, film classification/admission rules, required publicity standards, and (as applicable) TV classification guidelines.
All theaters must annually register with the MTRCB in the same manner as they get their local Mayor’s or business permit. They must register within the first three months of the year (except newly opened theaters) to avoid surcharges.
Upon verification, the LRC shall seize the film with the help of any law enforcement agency and immediately report the matter to the MTRCB Chairman.
A Permit to Exhibit issued by the MTRCB covering the specific picture must be obtained; the permit must be valid and posted in front of the ticket office.
Exhibition without a valid permit—especially pornographic films, whether long or short—is illegal and criminal, violating Section 7 of PD 1986; the guidelines also note that pornographic films violate Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code.
The LRC shall seize the film with the aid of law enforcement in the area and immediately report to the MTRCB Chairman.
The guidelines list: (1) G / Pang Pamilya—open to all ages subject to other laws/ordinances; (2) PG 7—open only to children 7 and above, with children 7–12 required to be accompanied by an adult; nobody below 7 may be admitted; (3) PG 13—admission limited to 13 and above, no adult companionship required; children below 13 may not be admitted even with an adult; (4) R 18—admission limited to persons 18 and over.
The more restrictive classification must govern. In the example, PG 13 is more restrictive, so the lobby signage and admission rules should follow PG 13.
The theater must maintain a 3-feet tall standee sign in the lobby announcing the MTRCB classification of the film. If absent, the LRC should call the attention of the theater owner/operator; if not promptly rectified within a reasonable time, the LRC reports to the MTRCB Chairman.
Publicity materials must be General Patronage or safe for all to see. The Board does not allow certain content such as frontal nudity, gory/bloody scenes, hostage scenes, guns closely pointed at victims, and similar objectionable imagery. The LRC monitors and confiscates those that are obviously objectionable, then reports to the MTRCB Chairman.
Executive Order No. 99 (June 12, 1993) requires playing the National Anthem for sign-on and sign-off in all cinema houses. The anthem should follow the musical arrangement/composition of Julian Felipe (the original martial version) and should be preceded by an announcement asking people to stand and place the right hand over the left chest.
No. The guidelines state that the LRC has no power to order closure of any theater nor to suspend or cancel the Permit to Exhibit; such power is exclusively reserved to the MTRCB Board.
The LRC must submit a brief written report with details including film title, theater name, owner’s name, and the date and time of the violation, for appropriate action. Seized materials must be safely kept in the custody of the LRC until further notice from the MTRCB Chairman.