A Step Backwards: Why the New MTRCB Bill Echoes Martial Law-Era Censorship
On June 2, 2025, the Philippine Senate gave the green light to a bill that would give the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) more power, not just over films and television, but now over online streaming services too.
This move, led by Senator Robin Padilla, aims to expand the MTRCB’s mandate to include paid platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and other streaming services. The proposed law, known as Senate Bill No. 2805 or the MTRCB Act, is being framed as a way to protect Filipino values and shield younger audiences from what Padilla calls "Western-influenced content" that might not match our cultural standards.
But here's the thing, streaming services already come with their own content ratings. These are international platforms with clear classifications and parental controls built in. Adding another layer of regulation from a government agency might not just be redundant; it could create more problems than it solves.
The bill would require streaming platforms to submit their entire content library for review. That means shows, movies, series, and even short programs will have to go through another round of evaluation. The MTRCB would then have the power to reclassify content, and possibly demand changes if it finds the material too obscene, violent, or immoral based on its own standards.
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| Photo via Rocketsheep Studio |
We've seen similar censorship elsewhere, like in China, where the popular animated series Arcane had scenes censored or completely altered. The fear is that this law could allow MTRCB to do the same. And if every show has to go through this process, we might see delays in releases or, even worse, some titles might never reach local audiences.
Let's not forget history. Back in the 1970s, then-President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. banned Voltes V for being "too violent." Many saw that move as an excuse for government control over what the public could watch. Fast forward to today, and we might be seeing something similar dressed up in digital clothes.
It's true that content should be age-appropriate, especially for kids. But that's something parents can already manage through tech tools and platform settings. Giving MTRCB this much control over online content feels outdated. We're in 2025, not 1975.
Instead of empowering people to make their own choices, this bill might end up giving more power to a government body to decide what's "decent" enough for the rest of us to watch. For a time when freedom of expression and access to diverse content should be the norm, this bill feels like we're moving backwards.
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