MTRCB: ‘We cannot prohibit negative depiction’

Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) Chairperson Rachel Arenas on Monday said they “cannot prohibit negative depiction” in films or TV series.

This explanation from the MTRCB chief came in the wake of remarks from the leaderships of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) regarding the portrayal of policemen in the primetime hit “Ang Probinsyano.”

The MTRCB boss then said “Ang Probinsyano” has so far not violated any guidelines of the agency.

“Nasabi rin naman po namin, kasi kaming MTRCB, hindi kami nagse-censor,” Arenas pointed out during an interview with DZMM.

“We cannot also prohibit negative depictions kasi we are sort of a bridge doon sa constitutionally protected freedom of expression and also the right of the state to regulate,” she added.

Arenas also noted how a show should showcase lessons, saying: “Dapat at the end of the day, at the end of the episode, at the end of the week merong mapupulot na magandang aral ang mga tao doon sa teleseryeng ‘yon.”

The MTRCB head then recalled there had been a conference where creators of “Ang Probinsyano” and the PNP were present.

She narrated: “In fact, ang suggestion, ang napag-usapan, bakit hindi kayo kumuha ng adviser o consultant from PNP para alam pati ang uniform na isusuot, kung ano ba ang tama? Tama ba ‘yung star na nasa uniform? Kasi that’s one of their concerns also.”

The dialogues even resulted to memorandum of understanding “that was already sent to the PNP for their comments and approval,” said Arenas.

However, with the PNP recently banning the show from using police assets and personnel, Arenas said another meeting will be conducted this week with “Ang Probinsyano” creators, the PNP and DILG. /kga