QuestionsQuestions (MTRCB)
The Board recognizes motion pictures and television as important for education, entertainment, and freedom of communication, but also as having public interest that must be safeguarded from content that violates laws, public morals, good customs, and corrupts the minds of the young—balancing protection of values without nullifying salutary services.
All motion pictures, television programs, and related publicity materials (for theatrical or non-theatrical distribution, for television broadcast, or general viewing; imported or produced in the Philippines including for export) are subject to MTRCB review before the enumerated acts may be undertaken.
Contemporary Filipino cultural values; the Board abates 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 wrongful/criminal acts (including subversion/sedition, undermining government trust, glorifying criminals, prohibited drugs, libel/defamation, contempt/subjudice matters, attacks on races/creeds/religions, and pornography/obscenity as defined).
No. The Rules state that no film intended for exhibition at moviehouses or theaters or on television shall be disapproved for reason only of its topic/theme/subject matter; it must be judged on the merits of each picture considered in its entirety.
Titles and publicity materials must be presented in advance and judged for suitability for various media; in no case shall obscene and suggestive titles be allowed.
Approved films receive G, P, or R classifications; disapproved films for public exhibition or television broadcast are classified as X.
Unless re-edited, a film shown on television gets the same classification as for exhibition. Only G-classified films may be shown on television at any time of day; P-classified films only from 9:00 p.m. up to late night; R or X films shall not be allowed for television broadcast.
Live programs do not require prior review and approval; however, television studios must give the Board at least 48 hours’ advance notice regarding the title and contents before airing. Studios remain responsible for any breach/violation. If evidence shows prohibited matters, the Board may require pretaping for prior review and approval.
After filing, the Chairman designates a sub-committee of at least three members (with notice to the applicant) to preview within ten days. After preview, the applicant withdraws; then the sub-committee summons the applicant, informs them of its decision, and allows request for reconsideration or offering cuts/deletions for better classification. The decision must be in writing with reasons and appropriate classification; dissent may be written by a dissenting member.
The applicant may file a motion for reconsideration within five days from receipt of the sub-committee decision. The Chairman then designates a sub-committee of five, which must conduct a second preview within five days from receipt of the motion, following the same procedure as applicable.
The decision of the five-member sub-committee is final, except if it disapproves or prohibits the film in its entirety; that decision may be appealed to the President, who may decide the appeal or refer it to an Appeals Committee in the Office of the President.
The application must be in writing and under oath in the prescribed form, stating details such as permit kind, applicant identity, film title, content nature, physical characteristics/quantity, and desired classification. It must be accompanied by sworn statements/certifications (e.g., number of prints/processed footage and undertaking not to process further copies without clearance), authority to conduct business documents, documents mentioned in Sections 18 and 19 for import/export cases, and any other relevant documents the Board requires. The application and film prints must be submitted at least five (5) working days before the playdate; applications within a lesser period are not entertained.
They must exhibit only materials covered by appropriate permits and ensure suitable classifications for uncontrolled audience broadcasts. They must precede exhibitions with an announcement showing MTRCB classification and approval; theater owners must prominently display a copy of the permit near the ticket office and maintain a standee on classification in the lobby. For adults-only films, they must refuse admission to persons below 18; for Parental Guidance, refuse those 12 and below, exclude minors who illegally enter, and may require proof of age.
(1) The offending films/materials may be seized and confiscated; the theater/establishment may be ordered closed for up to 90 days depending on gravity and circumstances. (2) Tampering may lead to seizure/confiscation; if attributable to the owner/lessee/manager (or their agent/assignee), the permit to operate may be suspended up to 1 year or cancelled depending on gravity; if attributable to the exhibitor/establishment, the penalty may be imposed on them.
Administrative violations are heard and decided with notice by a lawyer-member of the Board designated for that purpose; technical rules of evidence don’t bind the committee but fairness is observed. The decision may be appealed within 10 days to the Board Chairman, whose decision is final. Pending the outcome, the Chairman may order preventive seizure, suspension of permits, closure, or dismantling/tearing down of violative signs; temporary orders last no more than 20 days from issuance.