MANILA, Philippines – The Directors’ Guild of the Philippines Incorporated (DGPI) on Wednesday, June 4, expressed strong opposition to Senate Bill 2805, which aims to expand the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB)’s regulatory powers to include online streaming platforms. The Senate passed the bill on its third and final reading on Monday, June 2.

The DGPI argued that while the bill claims to protect minors from harmful content, its provisions could lead to “unbridled control of Filipino hearts and minds through censorship,” affecting not only minors but also adults whose freedoms are protected by the Constitution and international human rights declarations.

“Further, this act impinges on a struggling local film industry,” the DGPI stated. It criticized the bill as “draconian” and seemingly set to “cannibalizing what is left with these absurd acts of legislation,” particularly when other government initiatives are trying to re-energize the creative sector. The guild cited historical censorship faced by National Artists for Film and Broadcast Arts like Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal, and Ricky Lee, whose works nevertheless brought honor to the country.

The DGPI emphasized its stance against expanding MTRCB’s jurisdiction into the online streaming space, asserting that it is largely a private viewing experience and not a public exhibition. The guild deplores what it sees as an attempt to discriminate against the audio-visual sector.

Senator Risa Hontiveros notably voted against the bill, sponsored by Senator Robin Padilla. She argued that the bill grants the MTRCB “overly broad powers to censor even speech protected by the 1987 Constitution, and even material not meant for theatrical distribution.” Hontiveros pointed out existing laws, such as Republic Act (RA) 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act) and RA 11930 (Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children Act), that already address illegal content involving children. She stressed that regulating digital services and online content should be done through specific legislation, not merely as an MTRCB add-on, to avoid excessive control over Filipino voice and art.

In response to the opposition, MTRCB Chairperson Lala Sotto issued a statement on Wednesday, clarifying that the board “does not seek to rate or review” online curated content or streaming videos on-demand with prior restraint. Sotto stated that the measure aims to ensure the State can address “valid concerns and issues such as harmful online contents, particularly materials involving child abuse, exploitation, or voyeurism,” with the primary goal being the protection of children.

On Thursday, the MTRCB further slammed the DGPI for its remark that the board is being used as a “cash cow,” calling it “an unfair and baseless claim.” The MTRCB asserted its clear mandate to protect the public, especially children, from harmful content, and categorically rejected the accusation of being profit-driven. The board urged stakeholders to approach discussions around Senate Bill 2805 with “reason and respect.”