| IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS |
Chapter IV
MOVIE, TELEVISION, and TRAILER CLASSIFICATION
SECTION 1. – Movie Classification – Movies shall be classified as GENERAL PATRONAGE (“G”); PARENTAL GUIDANCE 13 (“PG-13”); RESTRICTED – 13 (“R-13”); RESTRICTED –18 (“R-18”) and NOT FOR PUBLIC VIEWING (“X”). In classifying the motion picture, the BOARD shall consider the treatment of the following factors: theme, violence, language, nudity, sex, horror, illegal drugs and other elements.
- GENERAL AUDIENCE (“G”) – All ages admitted. “G” materials should, in the judgment of the BOARD, be suitable for all audiences.
- THEME – Themes must be appropriate for young audiences and shall be wholesome and reinforce positive values.
- LANGUAGE – Obscene, profane, blasphemous and sexually suggestive language shall not be allowed. Some snippets of language may go beyond polite conversation but should be common everyday expressions.
- NUDITY – Sexually-oriented nudity is not acceptable. As a general rule, scenes of nudity are not allowed BUT brief scenes of NATURAL NUDITY with NO INTENTION to titillate may be allowed.
- SEX – Scenes with sexual context shall not be acceptable. Only wholesome and tender love scenes may be allowed.
- VIOLENCE – The depiction of violence and use of threatening or menacing language, weapons and special effects shall only be occasional and mild. The portrayal of violence should not be seen as a normal solution to problems and should not promote anti-social behavior. No emphasis shall be given to realistic weapons and the scenes should not unduly cause alarm, distress or stress and/or anxiety to young audiences. Redeeming values shall be underscored, with right and justice prevailing.
- HORROR – Depiction of horror and horrific special effects shall be mild and brief, with no intent to shock or frighten. The outcome shall always be reassuringly positive.
- DRUGS – There shall be NO depiction of, or reference to, prohibited drugs or substances and their use.
B. PARENTAL GUIDANCE 13 – Viewers below 13 years old must be accompanied by a parent or an adult. The movie must, in the judgment of the BOARD, meet the following criteria.
- THEME – More serious issues may be tackled but the treatment must be suitable to children below thirteen (13) years old.
- LANGUAGE – Very mild and mild SWEAR words only. Use of a strong expletive in a sexual context and successive use of such expletives will not be allowed.
- NUDITY – Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual content as in “G”.
- SEX – Graphic depiction of sexual activity is not allowed. Sexual activity may be implied but without details shown.
- VIOLENCE – NO GLAMORIZATION of weapons and crimes. No detail of fighting or other dangerous techniques. No detail of violence or suffering. There should be a redeeming social value at the end.
- HORROR – Scary sequences must be mild and brief.
- DRUGS – There shall be no depiction of, or reference to, prohibited drugs or substances and their use
C. RESTRICTED – 13 (“R-13”) – Only those who are 13 and above may view an “R-13” film. The movie must, in the judgment of the BOARD, meet the following criteria:
- THEME – Generally, adult themes are permissible provided the treatment is suitable for young teenagers between 13 and 17 years old.
- LANGUAGE – Strong, sexually derived and vulgar use of swear words or those referring to the genitalia is prohibited. Moderate swear words may be used. Use of stronger words is allowed provided it is INFREQUENT.
- NUDITY – Full frontal nudity is not allowed. Breast exposure relevant to the context of the film is permitted. Though sexually oriented nudity is allowed, the same must be brief, discreet and without genital exposure.
- SEX – Graphic depiction of sexual activity is not allowed. Sexual activity may be implied but without details shown.
- VIOLENCE – Films that glamorize or glorify violence are not allowed. Any portrayal of characters taking pleasure in inflicting or receiving pain may not be allowed. Focus on injuries and blood is not allowed. Sexual violence may only be implied without showing any details. Violence may be realistic without exhibiting details.
- HORROR – Occasional gory scenes are allowed. Sustained threat and menace may be allowed.
- DRUGS – Though brief and occasional references to and images of drug and substance use are allowed, the movie must depict the negative effects of drug and substance use and not condone, encourage or glamorize drug and/or substance use.
D. RESTRICTED – 18 (“R-18”) – Only those who are 18 years and above can watch an R-18 movie. The movie must, in the judgment of the BOARD, meet the following criteria:
- THEME – No theme is off-limits. The BOARD shall put a lot of weight on the treatment and context of the material’s theme.
- LANGUAGE – Use of strong expletives as well as sexual references is allowed provided they are necessary to the storyline and character development.
- NUDITY – Nudity meant simply to titillate and containing very little aesthetic value is not acceptable except as provided in Section 1- C. (3) above. In determining the acceptability of nude scenes, the BOARD shall put a lot of weight on the movie’s merit.
4. SEX – Portrayal of sexual activity is permitted. Again, in determining the acceptability of the portrayal of sexual activity, the BOARD shall put a lot of emphasis on the movie’s merit. The following are not acceptable: lewd and explicit images of aroused genitalia, penetration (oral, vaginal or anal), masturbation, oral-genital contact, close-ups of the genital area.
- VIOLENCE – Strong and realistic violence is allowed but the following are not:
- films which glorify or glamorize violence;
- films which satisfy the craving for gratuitous violence;
- films which contain detailed and prolonged images of sexual and other kinds of violence.
- HORROR – Strong psychological horror and scary scenes are permitted.
- DRUGS – The film must not condone or encourage the use of illegal drugs. The explicit use or the actual intake and preparation of drugs, as well as the pleasure derived therefrom, may be shown only insofar as they are relevant to the thematic content or storyline of the movie.
E. NOT FOR PUBLIC EXHIBITION (“X”) – X-rated movies are not suitable for public exhibition.
A movie shall be disapproved for public viewing if, in the judgment of the BOARD:
- The average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the dominant theme of the work as a whole appeals to prurient interest and satisfies only the craving for gratuitous sex and/or violence.
- The work depicts in a patently lewd, offensive, or demeaning manner, excretory functions and sexual conduct such as sexual intercourse, masturbation and exhibition of the genitals.
- The work clearly constitutes an attack against any race, creed or religion.
- The work condones or encourages the use of illegal drugs and substances.
- The work tends to undermine the faith and confidence of the people in their government and/or duly constituted authorities.
- The work glorifies criminals or condones crimes.
- The work is libelous or defamatory to the good name and reputation of any person, whether living or dead.
- The work may constitute contempt of court or of a quasi-judicial tribunal, or may pertain to matters which are sub-judice in nature.
SECTION 2. TELEVISION CLASSIFICATION – All television programs, motion pictures, and publicity/ promotional materials for or pertaining to television broadcast are to be classified as “ GENERAL PATRONAGE (“G”); PARENTAL GUIDANCE (“PG”); and NOT FOR PUBLIC VIEWING (“X”). The BOARD may consider the time slot, purpose and venue of the program in determining the proper rating for it.
- GENERAL PATRONAGE (“G”) – Suitable for all ages. Material for television which, in the judgment of the BOARD, does not contain anything unsuitable for children and minors, and may be viewed without adult guidance or supervision.
- PARENTAL GUIDANCE (“PG”) – Parental guidance suggested. Material for television which, in the judgment of the BOARD, may contain some adult material but may be permissible for children to watch under the guidance and supervision of a parent or adult.
The “PG” classification advises parents to exercise parental responsibility in their children’s viewing of the program. An advisory to the effect that the program requires Parental Guidance and the reason for such a classification (e.g. language, violence, etc.) shall be shown immediately before the opening credits of the particular television material classified as such. The phrase “Parental Guidance” shall be superimposed throughout the showing of the television material classified as such.
- DISAPPROVED for AIRING ON TELEVISION (“X”) – Any television program or motion picture that does not conform to the “G” and “PG” classification shall be disapproved for television airing. Trailers and publicity/promotional materials for movies and television that do not fall within the “G” classification cannot be aired on television. A motion picture rated R-18 or R-13 is automatically disqualified from airing on television unless it has been made to fit into the “G” or “PG” classification.
SECTION 3. MOVIE AND TELEVISION TRAILERS – Trailers and publicity/promotional materials for movies and television must strictly be made suitable for a GENERAL AUDIENCE (“G”) classification. Trailers and publicity/promotional materials that do not fall within the “G” classification shall not be approved for exhibition in a moviehouse, broadcast on television, publication in print media and exposure in other related media.
The BOARD may, from time to time, applying Filipino cultural values, amend this system of classification and the guidelines thereto, and the BOARD may consider the time slot, purpose and venue of the program in determining the proper rating for it.
| IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS |
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Chapter 1