Local theater owners required to submit copy of MTRCB permit

CEBU, Philippines - Theater owners in Cebu will be required starting next month to submit a copy of the Permit to Exhibit from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board at least two days prior to the showing of a movie.

The MTRCB Local Regulatory Board in Cebu, which is chaired by Rene Josef Bullecer, also the chairman of the Cebu City Anti-Indecency Board (CCAIB), however said this only applies to films with R-18 ratings, movies that are for adults only.

Bullecer said the guideline is not new but a re-implementation of the existing law under the Presidential Decree 1986 creating the MTRCB, which is currently under Ma. Consoliza P. Laguardia.

Under the law, the local board is empowered as the implementing arm of the MTRCB to oversee whether the requirements and all other laws regulating the movie industry are being followed by moviehouses.

Bullecer said the main purpose of this guideline is for the CCAIB to check the authenticity of the submitted permit and to see to it that all deleted portions of a film reviewed are not re-inserted.

After verification, CCAIB will put a seal on the movie prior to its exhibition.

Bullecer said that it is also the job of CCAIB to review the films on the first day of its showing.

Violators will face penalties and possible closure.

The re-imposition of the requirement came after Bullecer sent a letter of complaint to the MTRCB regarding the proliferation of fake Permits to Exhibit.

Bullecer further said that the entry of digital films in many parts of the country, most of which are R-18, do not follow some of the MTRCB guidelines. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/LPM (THE FREEMAN)