MTRCB to reevaluate US film ‘Plane’

MANILA, Philippines — The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) will reevaluate the fictional movie “Plane” after some senators raised concern for supposedly putting the Philippines in bad light.

In a statement on Thursday, MTRCB chair Diorella Maria Sotto-Antonio acknowledged the sentiments expressed by senators concerning the film.

“Although the film is fictional, we still would not want our country to be portrayed in a negative and inaccurate light,” she said.

“The MTRCB will reevaluate the film in view of their concerns and will take all necessary measures if found to be in any way injurious to the prestige of the Philippines or its people,” she added.

Antonio, a former Quezon City councilor, is a daughter of former Senate president Vicente Sotto III and actress Helen Gamboa.

“Plane” stars American actor Gerard Butler, who plays a commercial pilot whose plane crashed in Jolo and its survivors held hostage by extremist groups.

During a hearing related to the alleged human trafficking incident at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Wednesday, Sen. Robinhood Padilla urged the MTRCB to ban the film, saying the country’s reputation is at stake.

“We should not just ban it, we must also condemn it,” Padilla, a former actor, said in Filipino.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, who said he has only seen the film’s trailer, said the country should stress that what was portrayed in the film is not the real situation on the ground.

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said he was “very much disgusted” by the film, noting a scene where Butler’s character first thought that they landed in Davao, the senator’s hometown.

The MTRCB said it is currently working on institutionalizing guidelines and policies that are responsive to the cultural and religious sensitivities of Filipino Muslim viewers.