PARA protektahan ang mga Pilipinong manonood lalo na ang mga bata, naghain si Sen. Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla ng panukalang batas na nag-update at nagbibigay ng ngipin sa Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) para tugunan ang banta ng hindi kanais-nais na sine, publicity material at ibang audio-visual media.

Sa kanyang Senate Bill 1940, ikinalungkot ni Padilla na hindi kaya ng MTRCB na gampanan ang tungkulin nito dahil hindi saklaw ng orihinal na batas nito na halos 40 taon na ang mga bagong teknolohiya tulad ng online at streaming platforms.

Kasama sa saklaw ng MTRCB sa panukalang batas ang materyales na maaaring isulong ang “national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination,” o “stereotyping or prejudice against the Filipino people, indigenous people or any ethnic group within or outside the country.”

“Almost 40 years since its creation, MTRCB proves to be bereft of the opportunity to address the changing demands of our time because of its limiting jurisdiction, organizational structure, and operational competence. It also lacks the enabling powers to cover potent types of visual media that have proliferated in many forms, including online streaming platforms, on-demand streaming services, and even video games,” ani Padilla na tagapangulo ng Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media.

“Hence, MTRCB, as the primary quasi-judicial government agency responsible for the review and classification of television programs, movies, and publicity materials, must have the expressed mandate to effectively and adequately carry out its purpose and objectives,” dagdag niya.

Sa ilalim ng Senate Bill 1940, pinalawak ang hurisdiksyon ng MTRCB sa online at on-demand streaming services “and any other technology of similar nature imported or produced in the Philippines, and in the latter case, whether they be for local viewing or for export.”

Updated na rin ang definition ng “movie” para isama ang palabas na streamed sa pamamagitan ng online o on-demand streaming services “and any technology of similar nature whether currently existing or to be developed in the future.”

May kapangyarihan ang MTRCB na kumilos sa mga sine, TV program at publicity materials na “immoral, indecent, contrary to law and/or good customs, injurious to the prestige of the Republic of the Philippines or its people, or with a dangerous tendency to encourage the commission of violence or of a wrong or crime, or for the protection of national security, public order or public health” – at pati na rin ang “those which express national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility, violence, or stereotyping or prejudice against the Filipino people, indigenous people or any ethnic group within or outside the country.”

Kasama sa ibang probisyon ng panukalang batas ang:

* Quasi-judicial functions para aksyunan ang paglabag sa batas;

* Pag-deputize ng kinatawan sa gobyerno at mga asosasyon sa movie industry para tiyakin ang pagsunod sa batas – kasama ang sa online at streaming services;

* Pag-mandate sa Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs bilang secretaiat ng appeals committee sa Office of the President;

* Terminong tatlong taon sa MTRCB Chairperson at Vice Chairperson at dalawang taon sa board members.

* Hindi bababa sa 15 miyembro ng board bukod sa Chair at Vice Chair ay manggagaling sa movie at TV industries. Ang Chairperson ng board ay magiging chief executive officer.