The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has assured Senator Robin Padilla that it will not allow the local showing of the movie “Plane” for allegedly portraying a bad image of the Philippines.
Padilla said he received the commitment from MTRCB officials led by Chairperson Diorella “Lala” Sotto, when they met at his Senate office recently.
“Opo. Ang sabi nila sa akin, kinausap po nila ang distributor. At ngayon ang gusto natin masulatan natin ang mismong producer,” the legislator said in an interview on DWIZ, when asked if he received a commitment from the MTRCB not to allow the showing of the film in the Philippines.
The lawmaker also thanked Sotto for her promise to call the attention of the film’s Philippine distributor. The senator said he explained to Sotto his reasons for calling for a ban of the Philippine showing of the film.
In his manifestation last Feb. 15 in the Senate, Padilla condemned the bad image of the Philippines in “Plane,” saying the reputation of the Motherland is at stake.
He referred to the film showing Jolo is controlled by rebels, with government forces no longer there.
Padilla noted the film’s bad image of the Philippines comes at a time the Philippines is trying to revive its tourism after the pandemic. He also voiced concern over the film’s portrayal of Jolo residents as siding with the terrorists.
“Sabi ko sana kung pinanindigan na lang ng pelikulang ito na fiction lang siya, hindi na nila nilagay ang Pilipinas,” Padilla said.
In a separate interview on SMNI, Padilla reiterated he cannot keep quiet on the matter because he chairs the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media. He also chided “critics” who questioned his protests against the film.
“Sana kung pinandigan na lang ng pelikulang ito na fiction lang siya, hindi na nila nilagay ang Pilipinas.”
“Hindi tayo pwedeng manahimik dito… Ang panawagan ko sa inyo, pagdating sa oras na ang bayan natin ay inaalipusta at minamaliit, huwag natin ipagtanggol ang dayuhang ito… Nasaan ang ating pagiging makabayan pag ganitong oras na ang ating imahe ay minamaliit?” he stressed.
Padilla also said he wants to give the MTRCB the mandate to issue guidelines where films that may damage the Philippines’ reputation not be shown here.
“Hindi tayo pwedeng manahimik dito.”
“Ang condition, huwag sirain ang bansa natin,” he said.
