MANILA — The Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media has recommended to the full Senate a consolidated bill amending the charter of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), giving it power over streaming services such as Netflix, among others.

Committee Chair Senator Robinhood Padilla sponsored for plenary deliberations Committee Report 311 on Senate Bill 2805.  

It consolidates separate proposals from Padilla as well as Senators Grace Poe, herself a former MTRCB Chairperson, Sherwin Gatchalian, Francis Tolentino, and Lito Lapid.

The proposed Movie and Television Review and Classification Board Act gives the board review powers over movies and series streamed through on-demand online streaming services and any technology of similar nature for public viewing for the protection of public order, or public health.

It explicitly covers national, racial, or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility, violence, or negative stereotyping or prejudice against the Filipino people, indigenous peoples, religious groups or any ethnic group within or outside the country.

It empowers the MTRCB to work with the Department of Information and Communication Technology, National Telecommunications Commission or other agencies for the implementation of its decisions. 

Likewise, it gives the board powers to issue subpoenas and hold parties on contempt.

It will require on demand streaming services to register with the MTRCB to operate in the Philippines.

Poe and Senator Ramon Revilla, Jr also spoke for the bill during the plenary session.

“Almost 40 years since its inception, it cannot be denied how the entertainment industry has evolved especially with the advent of technology. Marami na pong nagbago at nag-iba na rin ang anyo ng sining. This measure therefore is not only long overdue, but prudent considering that laws must not only adapt to these changes, but be as evolving and dynamic in order to keep up with the times,” Revilla said. 

"We call for intelligent media viewership, not censorship," Poe stressed as she explained it would be impossible to review all streaming content. 

However, Poe said the streaming services should have a local representative who can be called upon if there are concerns on their content regarding possible violations of the law.