Bill wants foreign ‘teleseryes’ off primetime slot

Buhay partylist congressman Lito Atienza . INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — You may no longer watch your favorite foreign “teleseryes” after work or school if this bill becomes a law.

Former Manila mayor and now Buhay party-list solon Lito Atienza Jr. filed House Bill 3839 which seeks to ban foreign television shows from being aired during primetime, or the peak slot in television between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.

The bill thus gives the primetime slot to locally-produced shows, Atienza said in a statement on Monday.

“Foreign teleseryes have been eating into the primetime schedules of television companies, and thereby push the Philippine-produced shows to unfavorable timeslots,” Atienza said.

In the Philippines, foreign shows that broadcast in free television were Asian telenovelas from Taiwan, South Korea, among others.

Atienza also said the entry of foreign shows hinders local producers from creating original productions for television.

“I know that my proposal will cause controversy, but there is need to regulate the entry of foreign teleseryes into primetime programming to promote local creativity and empower Philippine producers to create content and employ more local talents,” Atienza said.

The bill was referred to the House Committee on Public Information.