The Senate on Monday approved Senate Bill No. 2805 on third and final reading, a measure seeking to strengthen the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) amid the rapidly changing media landscape.
“The passage of this bill in the Upper Chamber is not a personal victory, but a triumph for the thousands of viewers, especially the youth, who deserve protection while ensuring the continued freedom of creative expression in the world of television and film,” said Senator Robinhood Padilla, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media and principal sponsor of the bill.
Padilla said the bill reflects the collaborative efforts of several senators, including co-authors Senators Win Gatchalian, Francis Tolentino, Lito Lapid, Grace Poe, Joel Villanueva, and Ramon Revilla Jr.
He acknowledged Senators Poe, Villanueva, Loren Legarda, and Risa Hontiveros for contributing significant amendments to the measure during committee deliberations.
Senator Grace Poe, former MTRCB chair, delivered a heartfelt manifestation in support of the measure, calling its passage a “full-circle moment” as she nears the end of her Senate term.
“My career in public service began with the MTRCB, and I am ending my second term in the Senate championing a bill that charts a clear direction for an institution close to my heart,” she said.
Poe emphasized the need for the MTRCB to evolve and shed policies stuck in the “Betamax era,” urging the agency to embrace tools and guidelines fit for the digital age.
She said the bill promotes a shift toward self-regulation by requiring online platforms streaming in the country to provide accurate content classification, parental controls, and feedback mechanisms.
“These platforms are not our enemies, but our partners in responsible viewership,” Poe said.
She added that the bill empowers viewers to make informed choices, especially parents who need assurance about what their children are exposed to, whether on TV or through streaming services.
Despite broad support, the bill drew a dissenting vote from Senator Risa Hontiveros, who cautioned against granting the MTRCB “overly broad powers” that may encroach on constitutionally protected speech.
Hontiveros warned that the MTRCB should focus on media that clearly violate laws, such as those protecting children from abuse and exploitation, citing Republic Acts 7610, 11930, and 9995.
“The regulation of digital services and online content should be carefully done with legislation crafted specifically for this purpose,” she said.
She criticized vague regulatory phrases such as content “contrary to good morals” or that may “undermine faith in government,” calling them prone to abuse.
The voice and artistry of the Filipino people, whether offline or online, are powers that belong to the public and are protected by the Constitution. Any regulation of these must not be excessive,” Hontiveros concluded.
