Movie and Television Review and Classification Board

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB; Filipino: Lupon sa Rebyu at Klasipikasyon ng Pelikula at Telebisyon) is a Philippine government agency under the Office of the President of the Philippines. Its main job is to check and give age labels to television programs, motion pictures and home videos to help families decide what is suitable for children to watch.

Unlike many other groups around the world, the MTRCB does not give labels to video games. Because of this, systems like the ESRB used in the United States and IARC are often used instead in the Philippines. Some shops ask for proof of age when selling games that are for older audiences.

The MTRCB also helps make sure that TV shows and movies are right for the age groups they are labeled for. This way, families can feel more confident about what their children are watching.

History

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, called the MTRCB, started in 1961 as the Board of Censors for Motion Pictures by President Carlos P. Garcia. Its name and jobs changed over time. In 1980, President Ferdinand Marcos changed it to include more groups and renamed it to cover movies and television. By 1983, it also covered live shows.

In 1985, the board became the current Movie and Television Review and Classification Board. After Marcos left in 1986, the board was changed to have only civilian members. In the 1990s, a group was added to review and change the board's decisions. The board has a chairman, a vice-chairman, and 30 other members, each serving one-year terms. Diorella Maria Sotto-Antonio has been the chairperson since July 7, 2022.

Classification ratings

Movies

See also: Motion picture rating system

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) rates most films shown in cinemas in the Philippines. Independent and special films are rated by another group called the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

Summary

Most film ratings in the Philippines have rules. Children under 13 need an adult to watch films that are not right for their age. Showing films rated “X” is not allowed.

Television

See also: Television content rating system

The MTRCB also rates television shows. Since 1992, they have used a rating system to help parents choose what is right for their children to watch. In 2011, they added another rating to help parents more.

The ratings appear on the screen during the show, in both English and Filipino. Some international channels show the ratings in English.

Television shows that do not meet the “G”, “PG”, and “SPG” ratings may not be shown if they have content that is not right for children.

Home videos

The Optical Media Board used to handle rules for home videos, but now the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board takes care of this.

Before 2015, home videos had only three ratings printed on their labels. After 2015, the same ratings used in theaters were used for home videos instead. The Board also checks buses with entertainment systems to make sure the movies shown are approved and suitable for everyone.

Advertisement

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board usually does not check advertisements. But they do look at some materials that try to get people excited about movies or TV shows. These include teasers, promos, trailers, printed ads, photos, posters, and billboards.

Internet

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board does not control TV shows and movies on the internet. Websites like Viu, Disney+, WeTV, iflix, Netflix, iQIYI, Apple TV+, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video decide by themselves if their content is good for families.

In 2020, there were talks that the board wanted to help watch videos on places like Netflix. Some people thought this was not a good idea. Senator Franklin Drilon thought this plan would not work well.

Criticism

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board has been criticized by filmmakers and others. Some people think the board plays favorites in the film and television industry. They believe this limits creative freedom in the name of being family-friendly. There have also been claims that the ratings for some films and TV shows are not always fair or easy to understand.

Critics say that some international films, like the Transformers and Harry Potter series, and some local romantic comedies, have not always received strong ratings for certain themes. This is even true when they include content that might usually lead to higher ratings in other places. In 2019, the board banned movies such as Abominable and Uncharted because of a map scene that caused controversy in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines.

More recently, in 2024, the board was criticized for limiting free expression. Two films, Alipato at Muog and Dear Satan, faced bans or strict ratings based on the religious views of some board members. After protests and appeals, Alipato at Muog had its rating changed, but Dear Satan was not released.

Content sanctions

See also: List of television series suspended in the Philippines and List of films banned in the Philippines

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) can take action if TV shows or movies break rules. This includes shows and movies made in the Philippines. Some actions against international shows and movies are covered in other articles.

International content

• In 2000, a children's TV show called Teletubbies shown on GMA Network had a small mistake. The MTRCB warned the station to be more careful.
• In 2018, a basketball game shown on TV5 had a warning before a part with a big fight.
• In 2021, the MTRCB asked the streaming service Netflix to remove some episodes of a show because they showed something not allowed in the Philippines.

Domestic content

• In 2012, a TV drama episode was not shown at first because it had a serious topic. It was shown later with a warning.
• In 2013, a TV variety show was given a warning for a performance that was not appropriate, and the station had to say sorry.
• Also in 2013, another show was asked to talk about a performance that some people thought was not respectful.
• In 2013, a comedy sketch on a TV show was talked about because it was not nice to women.
• In 2014, a reality TV show was asked to talk about a question that some people thought was not right.
• In 2015, a dating game show was asked to make changes after some people thought it was not nice to women.
• In 2016, a TV drama was asked to talk about a part that some people thought was not right for everyone to see.
• In 2016, a romantic TV show was asked to talk about some parts that people thought were not right to show.
• In 2017, a drama series was asked to talk about some scenes that were very close and personal.
• In 2023, a long-running comedy show was checked to make sure it followed the rules for broadcasting.
• Also in 2023, the same show was asked to talk about a part where a host said a bad word.
• In 2024, a talk show about relationships was stopped because it talked about grown-up topics when children might be watching. The board decided to keep the stop even though the company said it was for education. The show kept being shown on YouTube and Facebook.