‘Honor Thy Father’ producer questions timing of disqualification

SCREENGRAB from “Honor Thy Father” Facebook page

Producer of “Honor Thy Father” questioned the timing  of the Metro Manila Film Festival’s (MMFF) organizer’s decision to disqualify the film from the Best Picture Category.

In a letter addressed to film producer Ronald Stephen Monteverde, MMFF overall Chairman Emerson Carlos said the film was disqualified “after careful and thorough deliberation of the Metro Manila Film Festival Executive Committee.”

The letter cited as reason the non-disclosure of their participation to the Cinema One Originals Film Festival as the opening film. A photo of the letter was posted on the “Honor Thy Father” Facebook page.

Monteverde, in a statement said they were denied due process  when they were informed of the disqualification without being given the opportunity to air their side.

“We were merely informed of their decision, not given any opportunity to air our side. They sent the letter today. The awarding ceremony is tomorrow. Are they merely being good scouts and sticklers for the rules, even when no rule was broken? Or is there some other reason? Why disqualify the movie only from the Best Picture category and not all categories? Whose interests are being protected by this last-minute decision,” Monteverde asked.

“Together with my director Erik Matti, co-executive producer and actor John Lloyd Cruz, and everyone behind Honor Thy Father, I demand answers. We demand an investigation. But if no one would care or bother to investigate, then we simply wish that the moviegoers, the Filipino people would start to question and be more critical of what, year in and year out, is passed off to them as good and true,” he added. RAM