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Historical Sketch and Profile of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board
The
first censorship body, known as the Philippine Board
of Censorship for Moving Pictures (BCMP), saw birth
on November 27, 1929 when Commonwealth Act No. 3582 was enacted. The
BCMP, consisted of fifteen members appointed by the Governor
General functioned under the control of the Secretary of Interior. They
elected among themselves a president and a secretary.
Authorized
to promulgate its own rules of procedure and operation, BCMP
was empowered to examine all film, spoken or silent, and prohibit
the introduction and exhibition of foreign films, which in
its judgment were immoral or contrary to law and good customs
or injurious to the prestige of the government and the people. The
members did not receive salary or compensation.
On
November 12, 1936, the National Assembly enacted Commonwealth
Act No. 167 amending Section two (2) of Commonwealth Act No.
3582 to authorize the Board of Censorship for Moving Pictures
to appoint representatives or agents as may be necessary to
carry out the act. The Board remained under the Secretary
of Interior and continued promulgating its own rules of procedure
and operation.
Section
Two and Three of Act No. 3582 amended under Commonwealth Act
No. 167, were later amended under Commonwealth Act No. 305
approved on June 9, 1936 under which the Board became known
as the Board of Review for Moving Pictures (BRMP) still
under the Secretary of Interior.
On
June 17, 1961, the Board of Censors for Motion Pictures
(BCMP) was created with the enactment by Congress
of Republic Act No. 3060 placing it under the Office of the
President. The Board’s main function then was to “censor”;
to disapprove or delete objectionable portions from films which,
in the judgment of the board, were immoral, indecent, contrary
to law and/or good custom or injurious to the prestige of the
Republic of the Philippines or its people. The Board
then was composed of one Chairman and twenty-four members. The
Board was to classify motion pictures either “for general
patronage” or “for adults only.”
Letter
of Instructions No. 13, dated September 29, 1972 banned films
tend to incite subversion, insurrection or rebellion against
the state; tend to undermine the faith and confidence of the
people in their government and/or duly constituted authorities;
glorify criminals or condone crimes; serve no other purpose
but to satisfy the market for violence or pornography; offend
any race or religion; tend to bet the traffic and use of prohibited
drugs; and films contrary to law, public order, morals, good
customs, established policies, lawful orders, decrees or edicts;
and any or all films which in the judgment of the Board are
similarly objectionable and contrary to the letter and spirit
of Proclamation No. 1081.
The
BCMP rules and regulations were revised and expanded in 1962
with more detailed description of objectionable scenes. Under
Republic Act No. 3060, the Board of Censors for Motion Pictures
promulgated more detailed procedures to be followed in reviewing
motion pictures, and securing a permit for preview. Also,
the jurisdiction of the Board was expanded to include review
of motion pictures for television whether in film or video
tape.
Executive
Order No. 587, dated March 12, 1980, constituted the Board
to provide multi-sectoral representation and broader perspective
for the review of motion pictures.
On
November 13, 1981, Executive Order No. 745, the Board of Censors
became the Board of Review for Motion Pictures and
Television (BRMPT) to include the review of television
programs.
Executive
Order No. 757 issued on December 29, 1981, reconstituted the
organizational structure of the Board and expanded its membership
from one Chairman and twenty-four members to one Chairman,
one Vice-Chairman and thirty-two members. This was superseded
by Executive Order 868 and 876 issued on February 1, 1987 and
February 13, 1987 respectively, under which orders the Board’s
functions were expanded to meet problems generated by technological
advances in motion pictures, television, videos and similar
media.
Executive
Orders 868 and 876 were amended by Executive Order 876-A which
took effect on August 5, 1983, putting together all previous
presidential issuances into one referral document for purposes
of integration and convenience, simultaneously redirecting
the Board’s functions, powers and duties.
The
BRMPT evolved to the Movie and Television Review and
Classification Board (MTRCB) through Presidential
Decree No. 1986 which took effect on October 5, 1985.
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