The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board want to extend its reach in the classification and review of television programs and motion pictures to include shows shown in streaming services like Netflix and other platforms.

MTRCB Legal Affairs Division chief Jonathan Presquito told senators during a hearing that “stream services like Netflix are video-on-demand platforms. We have to regulate those platforms. We have to ensure that those materials being shown on those platforms are compliant with MTRCB laws.”

“MTRCB has jurisdiction of that content regardless kung saan mo siya pinalabas. The internet is just a medium. Just because sa internet siya pinalabas, hindi na siya covered ng MTRCB law,” he adds.

Presquito then brought up content reviews for streaming services in other countries, using Korea as an example.

“Sa Korea, lahat ng content ng Netflix dumadaan sa prior review. We don’t want that kind of review. We want an environment of growth. Let’s allow streaming services to flourish… but how do we find the balance?”, he said.

Senator Koko Pimentel isn’t too keen on the MTRCB’s statement, suggesting further study on how to make our laws keep up with the changing times.

“Kailangan pag-isipan natin yan... It’s either we update our laws to catch up with technology or we enforce our archaic laws and hold back technological progress,” he said.