QuestionsQuestions (MTRCB)
The Board recognizes motion pictures and television as important for education, entertainment, and as essential media of expression tied to freedom and liberty of communication. At the same time, it is mandated to safeguard society by shielding the public—especially the young—from content that violates laws, public morals and good customs, and corrupts minds. The objective is to protect values without nullifying the beneficial services of these media.
All motion pictures, television programs, and publicity materials—whether for theatrical or non-theatrical distribution, for television broadcast or general viewing, and whether imported or produced in the Philippines (for local viewing or export)—are subject to review before they may be exported, imported, copied, distributed, sold, leased, exhibited, or broadcast.
The Board uses contemporary Filipino cultural values to determine what is legally objectionable as immoral, indecent, contrary to law and good customs, injurious to the prestige of the Republic or its people, or with a dangerous tendency to encourage violence or wrong/crime, including (but not limited to) subversion/sedition threats, undermining confidence in government, glorifying criminals/condoning crimes, abetting prohibited drugs, libel/defamation, contempt/subjudice matters, and malicious attacks against races/creeds/religions or vulnerable sectors.
Pornography is synonymous with obscenity. The test is whether, to the average person applying contemporary community standards, the dominant theme appeals to prurient interest. It includes patently offensive or demeaning representations/descriptions of ultimate sexual acts (including certain acts named), patently offensive scatological descriptions (including masturbation/excretory functions and lewd exhibition of genitals), and explicit sexual exploitation of children.
Violence refers to content that can arouse persons (especially children/youth) to copy or imitate aggressive and anti-social acts and shape undesirable values. It includes brutal behavior violating human rights and dignity, sexual assault and other perversions, abuse of children, and explicit detail of carnage.
No. The Rules state that no film or TV program intended for exhibition or television shall be disapproved due solely to its topic, theme, or subject matter; instead, the merits of each picture considered in its entirety control.
Titles and publicity materials must be presented in advance and approved/disapproved based on the synopsis and their suitability for publication across media types (print, theaters, TV, billboards, signs). In no case shall obscene, violent, or suggestive titles be allowed. Old films with new titles must be indicated in the application and publicity materials.
The Rules define G, P, R, and X classifications. Adults are persons eighteen (18) years of age or over. Films disapproved by the Board bear X; approved films receive G, P, or R.
As a general rule, the Board does not order deletions or cuts. Instead, it merely gives classification ratings. Films it disapproves receive X; approved films receive G/P/R. Cuts deletions may occur only if ordered under specific circumstances described in the Rules.
Approved films that are shown on television must retain the same classification unless re-edited. Only G-classified films may be authorized for television from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and P-classified films from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. R or X classified films are not allowed for television broadcast.
Live programs do not require prior review and approval. However, studios must give the Board at least 48 hours advance notice regarding the title and contents before airing. Studios, officers, and managers are responsible for any breach or violation arising from the live presentation and must ensure no objectionable scenes are shown. Programs must be submitted for post-review within 48 hours after airing; if prohibited content is involved, the Board may require pre-taping for post-review and approval.
No motion picture, television program, or related publicity material may be imported, exported, produced, copied, distributed, sold, leased, exhibited, or broadcast without a prior permit issued after Board review. The application must be submitted with film prints at least five (5) working days before the playdate stated in the application, and delays incur a penalty of P1,000.00 per day.
First, the Chairman designates a sub-committee of at least three (3) Board members, and the applicant is notified within ten (10) days. After review, the applicant may request reconsideration or offer cuts/deletions for a better classification. The decision is written and submitted to the Chairman. Second review: within five (5) days from receipt, the applicant may file a motion for reconsideration; then a committee of five conducts a second review within five (5) days. Re-classification: if the applicant wants a change in rating, he may re-edit and apply anew. Appeal: the committee-of-five decision is final except for decisions disapproving/prohibiting a motion picture in its entirety, which may be appealed to the President.
(1) They must exhibit only material covered by appropriate Board permits and restrict broadcasts (for uncontrolled audiences) to G/P classifications, with “Parental Guidance” superimposed if P. (2) Exhibitions must be preceded by an announcement showing the Board classification and approval; theater owners must display the permit copy in front of the ticket office and a three-feet standee in the lobby. Only the MTRCB classification should be displayed; for double features, the more restrictive classification governs. (3) For adult-only films, they must refuse admission to below 18; for P, they must refuse those below the specified age thresholds (Rules state different thresholds depending on P classification variant mentioned) and order exclusion of underage persons who entered illegally, demanding proof of age in case of doubt.
Violations are administratively penalized with suspension or cancellation of permits/licenses (or an administrative fine at the Chairman/Hearing and Adjudication Committee’s discretion), without prejudice to criminal action. The Chairman may order preventive seizure of offending materials, suspension of permits, closure of erring establishments, or temporary dismantling/tearing down of public signs/billboards believed to be in violation. Temporary orders cannot last more than twenty (20) days from issuance.