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, known as the MTRCB, started in 1961 as the Board of Censors for Motion Pictures by President Carlos P. Garcia. Over time, its name and duties changed. In 1980, President Ferdinand Marcos changed it to include more government groups and renamed it to cover both movies and television. By 1983, it also covered live entertainment.

In 1985, the board was replaced with the current Movie and Television Review and Classification Board. After Marcos left in 1986, the board was changed again to include only civilian members. In the 1990s, a group was added to review and change decisions made by the board. 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. However, independent and special films are rated by another group called the Film Development Council of the Philippines using their own rules.

Summary

Most film ratings in the Philippines require certain rules. Children under 13 cannot watch films that are not suitable for their age unless an adult is with them. Showing films rated “X” is against the law and can lead to serious trouble.

A film may not be shown if it has content that is mainly about inappropriate themes, shows harmful activities, attacks certain groups of people, encourages bad behavior, or goes against the law.

Television

See also: Television content rating system

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

The ratings appear on the screen during the show, both in 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 inappropriate, against the law, or could encourage bad behavior. This includes themes that are mainly about inappropriate subjects, show harmful activities, attack certain groups, encourage illegal actions, or go against the law.

System used from October 6, 2011, to present

Pictogram	Rating
	General Patronage
	Parental Guidance (Patnubay at Gabay)
	Strong Parental Guidance (Striktong Patnubay at Gabay)

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 look at advertisements. However, they do check certain materials meant 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 online TV shows and movies. Websites like Viu, Disney+, WeTV, iflix, Netflix, iQIYI, Apple TV+, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video use their own systems to decide if content is good for families.

In 2020, there were reports that the board wanted to help watch over videos on places like Netflix. Some people thought this was not a good idea and said it might be used to stop people from seeing what they want. Senator Franklin Drilon thought this plan would not work well.

Criticism

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board has faced criticism from filmmakers and others. Some say the board shows favoritism in the film and television industry, making decisions that limit creative freedom under the idea of family-friendliness. There have also been claims that the ratings given to some films and TV shows are not always fair or clear.

Critics point out that some international films, like the Transformers and Harry Potter series, as well as local romantic comedies, have not always been rated strongly for certain themes, even when they include content that might normally lead to higher ratings elsewhere. In 2019, the board banned movies such as Abominable and Uncharted because of a map scene that sparked controversy in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines.

More recently, in 2024, the board was criticized for restricting 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) has the power to take action against TV shows or movies if they break certain rules. This includes actions taken against shows and movies made in the Philippines. Some actions taken 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 mistake where a picture of an actress appeared for a few seconds. This led the MTRCB to warn the station to be more careful.
• In 2018, a basketball game shown on TV5 had a warning before a part of the game that had a big fight.
• In 2021, the MTRCB asked the streaming service Netflix to remove some episodes of a show because they showed something that the Philippines considered wrong.

Domestic content

• In 2012, a TV drama episode was not shown at first because it had a very 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 at a time 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.