Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) Chairperson Lala Sotto-Antonio appeals to the Committee on Public Information and Mass Media chaired by Sen. Robinhood C. Padilla for the enhancement of the Board’s mandate. Courtesy: Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB
MANILA, Philippines — The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) on Monday admitted that it is incapable of including video game regulation under its mandate.
During the hearing of the Senate committee on public information and mass media on Monday, panel chairperson Senator Robin Padilla asked MTRCB chairperson Diorella Maria “Lala” Sotto-Antonio if video games should already be included in their scope.
Sotto-Antonio responded: “Inaamin po namin hindi po kakayanin ng MTRCB kung isasama pa po ang video games.”
(We admit that MTRCB cannot handle it anymore if video games were included in our mandate.)
“In order for the board members to rate just one game, they have to play the whole game at ilang oras po ang igugugol nila para lang maglaro ng (and they have to allot hours to play just one) game,” she continued.
Padilla noted that some games already have ratings, such as for what age group it is allowed.
Sotto-Antonio, however, said that ratings of other countries are different from the Philippines.
“Ang sinasabing rating ay akma lamang sa ibang bansa. Hindi ibig sabihin angkop na rin po ‘yan sa Pilipinas dahil iba naman po ang Filipino family values dito sa atin,” she said.
(The rating in some games is only appropriate for other countries. That does not mean that it is already appropriate in the Philippines because we have different family values.)
Under Presidential Decree No. 1986, MTRCB is mandated to regulate and classify movies, television programs, related publicity materials and/or promotional materials.
Padilla’s panel is discussing measures that would enhance MTRCB’s capabilities, mandate, and organizational structure as well as bills on the regulation of video and online games.
After two rounds of hearing, the senator adjourned the hearing and is set to have a technical working group meeting. EDV