'Too many MTRCB deputies watch movies for free'

MANILA, Philippines - The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board has restricted the number of MTRCB deputies watching movies in the Greenhills mall cinemas after its owners complained that too many of them are present at the same showing, board chairwoman Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares said in a memorandum circular.

She said while deputies are allowed to enter cinemas for free to monitor violations of MTRCB rules, she said in Greenhills, “too many deputies are performing their monitoring functions at the same time.”

Llamanzares ordered that only five deputies will be allowed to perform their function at every film showing. The memorandum said that once the maximum number is reached, other MTRCB deputies shall be admitted to the next screening time.

She said the restriction applies only to deputies, while incumbent board members, regular officers and employees are exempted.

Llamanzares also clarified that the restriction is only applicable to Greenhills mall cinemas and deputies may “converge in other malls in Metro Manila to perform their monitoring duties.”