Law Summary
Guiding Principles
- Recognizes films and TV as important media for education, entertainment, and communication
- Balances freedom of expression with public interest and moral standards
- Tasked to protect against content that violates laws, public morals, or corrupts youth without negating positive roles
Scope of Authority to Review
- Reviews all motion pictures, TV programs, and publicity material for theatrical/non-theatrical, broadcast, import, export, production, distribution, sale, lease, exhibition, or broadcast
- Applies to local and imported content
Governing Standard
- Judged by contemporary Filipino cultural values, focusing on legality, morality, good customs, and protection from harmful influence
- Prohibited content includes: incitement to rebellion, undermining government, glorifying crime, drug use, libel, contempt of court, malicious attacks against groups, obscenity, and harmful violence
- Pornography defined as material appealing to prurient interest based on community standards
- Violence defined as content inciting anti-social behavior or excessive brutality
- No disapproval based solely on topic but on film merits
- Titles/publicity must be approved and cannot be obscene or suggestive
Board Action
- Board approves, disapproves, or prohibits use based on review
- Typically assigns classification rather than ordering cuts; disapproval is X classification
- Films classified for theaters carry same classification for TV except stricter broadcast times are applied
- Live TV programs need prior notice and post-review but not prior approval; broadcasters responsible for compliance
- When cuts ordered, positive prints edited; master negatives kept for safekeeping
Exempted Films
- Educational, documentary, cultural, sales, public service, public relations, and instructional films may be exempted from prior review upon application
- Exemptions subject to revocation
Procedure for Review and Issuance of Permits
- No exhibition or use without prior Board permit
- Authorized persons with rights may apply
- Applications in prescribed form with sworn statements, business registrations, and other relevant documents
- Submitted five days prior with penalty for late submission
- Payment of application fee mandatory
- Initial review by Sub-Committee of three members; decision given with reasons, possible reconsideration
- Appeal to Committee of five within five days; second review with final decision except disapproval appealable to the President
- Reclassification possible after re-editing and resubmission
- Advertisement permits handled by Chairman or designee
Duties of Applicant and Other Permit Users
- Permits used only for stated purposes
- Integrity of film/program/publicity preserved; no unapproved insertions allowed
- Exhibitors must only show Board-approved materials with classification announcements
- Age restrictions enforced based on classification
- Advertisements must state Board classification
Import and Export of Films
- Films cannot be released from customs without import permit
- Unfit films must be returned; failure leads to confiscation
- Export requires permit; different versions require separate review
Registration Under Board Jurisdiction
- Importers, exporters, studios, operators must register
- Registration requires business documents and fee
- Registrants gain privileges including business transactions with Board and communications
- Registration valid for one year and must be updated with changes
Board Representatives
- Appointed Filipino citizens oversee compliance
- Authority to inspect exhibitions, demand permits, and report violations
- Accompanied by witness and accountable to the Board
National and Local Regulatory Councils
- National Council advises on implementation, composed of various stakeholders
- Local Councils support Board efforts regionally
- Members serve without compensation
Violations and Administrative Sanctions
- Violations subject to permit suspension/cancellation or fines
- Administrative hearings conducted by Chairman or Hearing and Adjudication Committee
- Preventive measures including seizure, suspension, and temporary closures may be ordered
- Temporary orders last no more than 20 days
Other Provisions
- Previous inconsistent regulations repealed
- Rules effective 15 days after publication
- Adopted July 27, 1993 by the Chairman of the Board