Bill allowing MTRCB to regulate streaming platforms passes Senate on final reading
The Senate has approved the bill allowing the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board to regulate content on streaming platforms.
On June 2, the upper house reconvened for the last six sessions of the 19th Congress and passed Senate Bill No. 2805, or the MTRCB Act, on third and final reading.
According to Sen. Robin Padilla, the bill's sponsor, the MTRCB must be able to regulate video content on streaming platforms to "maintain the standards of decency and morality expected by Filipinos."
“The MTRCB’s charter was enacted in 1985, long before the streaming era. This bill updates its mandate to reflect the realities of digital media,” Padilla said in a news release.
He added that while some Asian content may align with Filipino culture, the western-influenced content often requires "careful consideration, especially when it comes to protecting young audiences."
Under the measure, on-demand streaming services are required to register with the MTRCB. They must also submit a list and classification of all movies, series, and programs offered and order a reclassification after screening, only as necessary.
The bill aims to help the review board regulate content on issues of obscenity, immorality, and senseless violence on digital platforms.
Other than regulation, SB No. 2805 states that the chairperson and vice-chairperson of the Board shall have the rank, salary, rights, privileges, and benefits equivalent to a Department undersecretary and Department assistant secretary, respectively.
On the other hand, Sen. Risa Hontiveros voted no on the bill since it grants MTRCB "overly broad powers to censor even speech protected by the 1987 Constitution, and even material not meant for theatrical distribution."
She raised that there are already laws that address harmful content concerning children, such as R.A. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, R.A. 11930 or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act, and R.A. 9995 or the "Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009.
"The regulation of digital services and online content, should be carefully done with legislation crafted specifically for this purpose, at hindi lamang add-on sa MTRCB," Hontiveros said in the statement.
"Ang boses at sining ng mga Pilipino—offline man o online—ay kapangyarihang pag-aari ng taumbayan, at protektado ng Saligang Batas. Ang anumang regulasyon nito ay dapat hindi labis."
