The Senate has approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2805, a measure aimed at strengthening the mandate of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), with a vote of 21-1-0.
The bill, authored by Senator Robinhood Padilla and known as the “MTRCB Act,” seeks to expand the agency’s regulatory powers to include streaming platforms such as Netflix, VIVA One, iWant, and Prime Video.
📷: Senate of the Philippines
Senator Padilla asserted that the agency must step in to curb the increasing prevalence of sexually explicit content, particularly those found on VIVA Entertainment’s adult-themed streaming platform, Vivamax.
The measure gained overwhelming support from senators present during the resumption of session on June 2, with only Senator Risa Hontiveros voting against it.
In her explanation, Hontiveros argued that there is no need for a new law and that the MTRCB already has the capacity to regulate harmful content without impeding the freedom of artists and workers in the local film industry.
📷: Office of Senator Risa Hontiveros
The bill is now set to be transmitted to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who will decide whether to sign it into law or veto it.