Movie and Television Review and Classification Board

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The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (Filipino: Lupon sa Pagrerepaso at Pag-uuri ng Sine at Telebisyon; abbreviated MTRCB) is the government agency responsible for rating television and film for the Philippines. Recently, the MTRCB was given the additional task of rating optical media (video tapes, VCDs, DVDs, etc.). It is under the Office of the President. The MTRCB is composed of the chairman, vice-chairman and 30 board members. Each one holds office for a term of one year but may be reappointed after the expiration of his/her term.

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[edit] Differences with other organizations

Unlike other organizations worldwide, the MTRCB does not rate Video games. This is due to the fact that the Philippines doesn't produce video games, since most video games are imported, with almost all of it coming from the United States. Because of that, ratings from the Entertainment Software Rating Board are seen as the de facto standard for video game ratings in the Philippines, but legal restrictions (such as prohibition of sales of M-Rated games to minors) usually do not apply. The MTRCB also does not rate literature, unlike some other organizations.

The MTRCB is also known to rate films differently from other organizations, an example of which is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire giving it a rating of G (all ages accepted), while other countries gave it a PG-13 or even an R-13, and The Da Vinci Code, which received sn R-18 rating, while other countries gave it lower ratings.

[edit] Ratings

[edit] Movies

The MTRCB utilizes the following ratings system for movies:

  • G or GP - General patronage. All ages admitted.
  • PG-13 - Parental Guidance. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • R - Restricted. Children under 17 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or older.
  • R-13 - Strictly for persons 13 years and over
  • R-18 - Strictly for persons 18 years and over
  • X - Not for public viewing
  • The PG-7 (between GP and PG-13), parental guidance for children below seven years old was phased out.

[edit] Television

Example of the "parental guidance" DOG. Live sports events such as this are rated PG by default by the board.
Example of the "parental guidance" DOG. Live sports events such as this are rated PG by default by the board.

Television programs uses the following ratings:

  • G rating for general patronage
  • PG for parental guidance
  • X - Not for public viewing

If a TV program is rated as "PG", the phrase "Parental guidance" is displayed as a digital on-screen graphic (DOG) throughout the program, preferably at the lower right side corner, and a note is given at the start of the program. TV programs rated "G" does not need the DOG "G" or "GP" displayed.

All live programs such as sporting events and newscasts are automatically rated "PG." However, almost every television program telecast is automatically rated "PG" deeming that such programs would contain at least one instance of inappropriate content.

[edit] Use of the X rating

A movie shall be disapproved for public viewing if, in the judgment of the Board:

  1. The average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the dominant theme of the work as a whole appeals to prurient interest and satisfies only the craving for gratuitous sex and/or violence.
  2. The work depicts in a patently lewd, offensive, or demeaning manner, excretory functions and sexual conduct such as sexual intercourse, masturbation and exhibition of the genitals.
  3. The work clearly constitutes an attack against any race, creed or religion.
  4. The work condones or encourages the use of illegal drugs and substances.
  5. The work tends to undermine the faith and confidence of the people in their government and/or duly constituted authorities.
  6. The work glorifies criminals or condones crimes.
  7. The work is libelous or defamatory to the good name and reputation of any person, whether living or dead.

A movie or television program that receives an X rating may not be shown in Philippine theaters or television, or in any form of public exhibition.

A much publicized use of the X rating by the MTRCB was the issuance of such rating to a documentary film portraying the life of former Philippine president Joseph Estrada in 2006. Certain portions of the film, especially the portions with regard to the 2001 EDSA Revolution, were deemed by the MTRCB to be inciting political rebellion, a charge denied by the producers of the documentary.

[edit] Suspension of other shows

[edit] Local Content

  • Not only does MTRCB rates shows and films, they can also suspend a certain show for a few days for violating any law. For example, the Eda Nolan scandal at Wowowee which happened at May 12, 2007, which earned the show a 3-day suspension.

[edit] International Content

  • The TV-channel TVE Internacional's broadcast was suspended by the MTRCB because of sexual content. It is unclear if the broadcast had been stopped only by SkyCable or all cable companies nationwide.
  • The HBO-seies Entourage was blocked for 3 weeks on SkyCable because of it has not yet been reviewed by the MTRCB. But on other cable operators, the series was broadcast without any interruption.

[edit] Radio

The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP; English: Association of Filipino Broadcasters), an association unrelated to the government, governs censorship on radio, although it can only punish its own members. A network currently not a member of the KBP is GMA Network.

[edit] Video

The Optical Media Board formerly governed censorship on video.

[edit] See also