House opens ‘Honor’ probe

CONTRIBUTED IMAGE/Erik Matti

THE HOUSE of Representatives opens today its inquiry into the controversial disqualification of the film “Honor Thy Father” from the Best Picture race in the recent Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), among other “alleged irregularities.”

In the first congressional hearing of 2016, the Metro Manila development committee in the House chaired by Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo will look at what led to the disqualification of the Erik Matti-directed thriller, as well as reports of ticket-swapping in some cinemas.

Congress is still in recess and will resume its session on Jan. 19, but House committees may hold meetings in the interim.

In late December, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, an actor who was in the cast of the disqualified film, filed a House resolution seeking a formal probe in aid of legislation into the decision of the MMFF organizers to remove “Honor Thy Father” from contention for top film honors.

“Honor” was disqualified by the MMFF executive committee supposedly for not disclosing that it had been previously screened at another movie festival, the Cinema One Originals Film Festival.

At the MMFF awards night on Dec. 27, the romantic comedy “Walang Forever” took home the top prize. Matti, who was conspicuously absent from the ceremony, won Best Director for “Honor,” which also received a number of other awards. DJ Yap