MTRCB ready to regulate online platforms if Congress allows

MANILA, Philippines – Movie and Television Review and Classification (MTRCB) Chairperson Diorella Maria “Lala” Sotto-Antonio said the agency can regulate online services, streaming platforms, and subscription video on-demand services if mandated by Congress.

Sotto-Antonio gave the assurance on Friday after Sen. Erwin Tulfo asked during a Senate hearing about the agency’s preparedness should Congress expand its mandate to cover online platforms.

Tulfo presided over the Senate subcommittee on finance’s discussion on the MTRCB’s proposed P49.99 million budget next year.

“First, Mr. Chairman, I would like to emphasize that the MTRCB is not for prohibition but for regulation. We will accept the challenge if the legislators would include the said online services, streaming platforms, the subscription video on-demand services in our jurisdiction or our purview,” Sotto- Antonio said.

“However, it would entail a lot of coordination with the said stakeholders such as the OTTs or the over-the-top, and the online streaming services,” she  added.

Tulfo lamented in particular the lack of restrictions on subscription services, recalling an incident when a naked woman suddenly appeared on screen while he was watching a movie.

“And I didn’t know that a young man, my son, behind me was that looking also. So, I don’t know. Kung nangyari nga sa akin, maybe sa ibang mga household, wala naman kasing restriction when you turn on, dahil subscription po yun,”  the senator said.

(And I didn’t know that a young man, my son, was behind me also watching. So, I don’t know. If this happened to me, maybe it’s also happening in other households. There’s really no restriction when you turn it on because it’s a subscription service.

He then pressed the MTRCB on whether it could address the problem once there is a law allowing it to regulate these online platforms.

“Yes, it would be feasible. Yes, the MTRCB can do it,” Sotto-Antonio said. “But I would like to reiterate that it is only the regulation that we can do.”

The MTRCB chief also clarified that movies shown on online streaming platforms “do not need to go through prior constraints,” but stressed that there should be an effective feedback mechanism that can respond quickly to complaints.

According to her, the MTRCB is currently working with Netflix, HBO and Disney, which she said have been very cooperative with them.

“However, with the rampant problems that we are facing today, I think it is faced globally, we really need to reiterate that this regulation is possible, but we would need their cooperation and their coordination as well,” Sotto- Antonio said. /jpv