MTRCB defends mandate, hits back against ‘cash cow’ remark from directors’ group

June 5, 2025 , 11:36 PM

By Gabriel Kim Leal

(June 5, 2025) – The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) on Thursday fired back at the Directors’ Guild of the Philippines, Inc. (DGPI) for calling the agency a “cash cow,” saying the remark was both unfair and baseless.

The DGPI made the comment while opposing Senate Bill No. 2805, which seeks to expand the MTRCB’s regulatory powers to include content on online streaming platforms.

“This is an unfair and baseless claim. The MTRCB is a government agency with a clear mandate to protect the public, most especially children, from harmful content. To describe our mandate as profit-driven is both misleading and disrespectful,” said the MTRCB in a statement.

The Senate already passed the bill on third and final reading, but the MTRCB noted that the House version has yet to move forward. With Congress set to adjourn next week, the measure is unlikely to be enacted during the 19th Congress.

The MTRCB clarified that the bill does not promote censorship or prior restraint. Instead, it aims to address the growing concern over harmful content online.

The agency also urged for civil discourse and address the matter with “reason and respect.”

“We expect no less than civility from entities like the DGPI, which is not a government agency, especially in public discourse,” added the MTRCB.

“There is no prior restraint or a mandatory review before content is shown. Rather, the measure seeks to ensure that the State is not left helpless in addressing valid concerns and issues such as harmful online contents.”

Senator Risa Hontiveros was among those who voted against the bill, which is sponsored by Senator Robin Padilla. She argued it would give the MTRCB “overly broad powers to censor even speech protected by the 1987 Constitution,” including material not intended for theatrical release.

Hontiveros also pointed out that several laws are already in place to combat illegal online content involving children. These include the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children Act, the Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act, the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009, and the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.

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