MTRCB chairperson Lala Sotto justifies X rating of two movies

Dinepensahan ni Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) Chairman Lala Sotto-Antonio ang desisyon ng ahensiya na bigyan ng X rating ang dalawang pelikulang nirebyu nila kamakailan.

Ito ay ang documentary film na Alipato At Muog at ang comedy-drama film na Dear Satan.

Sa Senate hearing ng budget ng MTRCB, kasama na rin ang budget ng Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), ngayong Martes, September 3, 2024, tinanong ng committee chair na si Senator Jinggoy Estrada si Sotto tungkol dito.

Una, ang X rating ng Alipato at Muog, na tumatalakay sa pag-kidnap at pagkawala ng aktibistang si Jonas Burgos noong 2007.

Ang MTRCB reviewers na nagbigay ng X sa Alipato at Muog ay sina Fernando C. Prieto, Glenn B. Patricio, at Jose V L. Alberto.

Usisa ni Estrada kay Sotto: “The movie is about the disappearance and abduction of activist Jonas Burgos in 2007.

“In a Facebook post appealing to the MTRCB, director JL Burgos shared that on August 22, 2024, the first reviewers, which is composed of three members of the board, disapproved the film from public exhibition.

“According to the reviewers, the reason for such classification is because the film tends to undermine the faith and confidence of the people in their government and or duly constituted authorities.

“Pero ayon sa pahayag ng UP Cinema, ang X rating ay malinaw na manipestasyon ng sensor at pagyurak sa karapatan ng malayang paggawa ng pelikula.

“May panawagan din ito to end censorship against rights and justice advocates.

“Ayon naman sa NUJP, it is Jonas Burgos’ and other activists’ continued disappearance that undermines faith and confidence in the government.

“Neither does the board’s decision inspire faith and confidence that the Philippines is a country where freedom of expression and people’s right to know are more important than the state’s self-image.

“What can the MTRCB say about this?”

LALA SOTTO DEFENDS MTRCB DECISION ON ALIPATO AT MUOG

Mahaba ang paliwanag ni Sotto ukol sa naging desisyon ng MTRCB reviewers.

Aniya: “On freedom of expression, Mr. Chairman, we all know that freedom of expression is not absolute nor limitless.

“That is why there is a law in place.

“That is why there exists the MTRCB.

“That is why we have the Presidential Decree 1986 to follow because there is a law.

“Laws and rules are important in order to put order.

“Mr. Chairman, I do confirm that the first review of the said movie has been given an X rating.

“It was not allowed for public exhibition based on the judgment of the review committee.”

Iginiit ni Sotto na hindi paghihigpit sa “freedom of expression or creation” ng filmmakers ang desisyon ng MTRCB.

Binigyan daw nila ito ng exemption para maipalabas sa Cinemalaya Bente: Loob Lalim Lakas, bilang isa sa full-length entry, mula Agosto 3 hanggang 11, 2024.

Hindi rin daw nila pinigilan ang special screenings ng Alipato at Muog sa UP Film Center.

Paglilinaw niya: “To make it clear, Mr. Chairman, we have given them an exemption permit asked by the CCP for the Cinemalaya Film Festival only and we have given them an exemption permit for that.

“That is not curtailing freedom of expression or creation.

“They have also conducted academic film showings which we didn’t stop them from.

“That is not curtailing freedom of expression.

“We have a law to follow.

“It has been found to be violative.

“We have indicated already the reason why it was X’d.

“It is the section 3-C2 of PD1986 or section 1-FE of the IRR to the PD1986.

“If I may be allowed to read, it is a very short sentence, Mr. Chairman.

“In the judgment of the board, the film tends to undermine the faith and confidence of the people in their government or duly constituted authorities.

“Therefore, the first review committee rated it X.”

Maaari pa raw magbago ang rating ng pelikula dahil nag-apply na umano ang mga nasa likod nito para sa second review, kung saan susuriin ito ng ibang review committee.

“However, they have already applied for second review and they are scheduled to be reviewed by another review committee comprised of five board members on September 5th,” sabi ni Sotto.

LALA SOTTO ON DEAR SATAN: “I am offended as a Christian.”

Hindi naman umano katanggap-tanggap para kay Sotto ang pelikulang Dear Satan, bilang isang Kristiyano.

Ito ay kahit na isang fiction ang Dear Satan, na tungkol sa isang batang aksidenteng humiling kay Satanas, sa halip na kay Santa Claus.

Ipinapakita raw kasi sa pelikula na may angking kabaitan si Satanas, pero para kay Sotto, “Satan will never ever be good.”

Aniya, “Again, Mr. Chairman, it was also found to be violative of the Presidential Decree of 1986.”

Tanong pa ni Estrada, “I’m just curious, what is the content of the movie?”

Sa puntong ito ay sumingit si FDCP chairperson Joey Reyes, na isa ring film director.

Ipinaliwanag niya ang kuwento ng pelikula.

Saad niya, “Can I say something there, Chair?

“That was part of a Mowelfund workshops script.

“The idea was a little girl was writing to Santa Claus, but she misspelled Santa for Satan, and it was Satan who received her wish, her wishlist for Christmas.

“So, Satan came to life and went to the little girl and was humanized by the little girl in the process.

“Nangangahulugan na nagkamali yung spelling ng bata na sulat niya Dear Satan instead of Dear Santa.

“At nabuhay si Satan, and then Satan went to the little girl, and Satan was taught love by the little girl.”

Hindi pa raw ito naipapalabas sa publiko dahil sa X rating.

Pagkumpirma ni Sotto, “No, Mr. Chairman, it was given an X rating.

“They have not appealed yet, but it has been found to be violative of the Decree of 1986.”

Napanood na raw ng MTRCB chairperson ang pelikula, at nag-a-agree siya sa desisyon ng mga nag-review nito.

Saad niya, “I have seen the film. I joined the board. I am offended as a Christian.”

Tinanong ni Estrada kung “demonic” ba ang dating ng pelikula.

Tugon ni Sotto, “No, it is not demonic, but it is a depiction of, it has a different depiction of Satan becoming good.

“Satan will never ever be good.”

Hindi pa raw umaapela sa kanila ang producer ng pelikula.

Pero bilang chairperson, wala raw kapangyarihan si Sotto na baguhin ang desisyon na baligtarin o baguhin ang desisyon ng MTRCB.

Kaugnay nito, nagbigay na rin ng pahayag si Paolo Contis tungkol sa batikos ng netizens sa titulo ng kanilang pelikula.

Saad niya, “Medyo nagulat, because I honestly thought they would see the difference ng art at ng movie na fiction kesa sa ano, I mean.

“Wala naman kaming sinabing sambahin mo si Satanas, e. I think the trailer was very clear that I was trying to influence her, but it never happened, because her faith was strong.”

Plano na rin daw palitan ang titulo ng pelikula.