EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
]
drnnte
ttif ^rrrtar^
SENATE
S.B. NO. 
7 1 9
‘19 JUL 24 All 26
RECEiv: D tV
Introduced by SEN. W IN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
EXPANDING THE POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE MOVIE AND 
TELEVISION REVIEW AND CLASSIFICATION BOARD TO PROVIDE 
FOR THE REGULATION OF VIDEO GAMES AND OUTDOOR MEDIA, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1986
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Movie and Television 
Review and Classification 
Board 
(MTRCB), 
established by Presidential Decree No. 1986 in 1985, serves an important role 
in safeguarding our children from violent, obscene, and otherwise harmful 
material that may endanger their safety and wellbeing. The ratings published 
by the 
MTRCB educate 
parents about the subject 
matter discussed 
and 
portrayed in these media, empowering them to make informed decisions about 
the kind of media to which they wish to expose their children. This is certainly 
a worthy undertaking that has been duly accomplished by the MTRCB for 
almost 30 years now.
However, 
the 
mandate 
of 
this 
Board, 
delineated 
well 
before 
the 
proliferation of affordable and accessible computer technology, does not cover 
another potent type of visual media - video games. Since the late 19908 many 
countries have expanded the functions and powers of their respective movie


and television regulatory bodies to include the review and classification of video 
games, owing to the increasingly dominant position of video games in visual 
entertainment 
worldwide. 
These 
regulatory 
bodies 
have 
also 
focused 
on 
ensuring that video games with mature themes do not fall into the hands of 
those too young to properly process the graphic and violent scenes they are 
controlling on the screen.
According to the 2009 Nielsen Global Online Consumer Survey, Filipinos 
are the top consumers of video games in the entire world. In order to ensure 
the safety and wellbeing of our children, working 
hand-in-hand with the 
responsible and nurturing parents and guardians of our great Nation, it is 
paramount that we upgrade the bureaucracy in the face of new technologies 
and changing times. Thus, this legislation aims to reorganize the MTRCB into a 
more versatile body up-to-date with the needs of contemporary Philippine 
society.
In addition to video games, this legislation also gives MTRCB regulatory 
powers 
over 
the 
content 
of 
outdoor 
media. 
Realistically, 
it 
is 
virtually 
impossible to restrict access of minors to outdoor media since by definition 
they are prominently displayed in public spaces. Thus, in order to further 
protect the safety and well-being of our children we must take steps to ensure 
that 
obscene 
outdoor 
media 
will 
be 
prohibited 
as 
necessary. 
Since 
the 
functions of MTRCB already include the review of certain publicity materials, it 
is logical to delegate the review of outdoor media to this body as well.
Support for the passage and approval of this legislation is earnestly
sought.
SHERW
. GAT


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
Senate
#l(l» of
•19 JUL 24 fill 26
Introduced by SEN. W IN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
EXPANDING THE POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE MOVIE AND 
TELEVISION REVIEW AND CLASSIFICATION BOARD TO PROVIDE
FOR
THE REGULATION OF VIDEO GAMES AND OUTDOOR MEDIA, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1986
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House o f Representatives o f the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Video Game
2 
and Outdoor Media Regulation Act".
3 
SEC. 2. Paragraphs 1 and 2 o f Section 2 regarding Composition,
4 
Qualifications, and Benefits are hereby amended to read as follows:
5 
The 
Board shall be composed o f a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman
6 
and 
[thirty (30) members] THIRTY-FIVE 
(35) 
MEMBERS, 
who
1 
shall all be appointed by the President o f the Philippines. 
The
8 
Chairman, the Vice-Chairman, and the members o f the Board,
9 
shall 
hold office for a term o f one (1) year, 
unless sooner
10 
removed by the President for any cause; Provided, 
That they
11 
shall be eligible for re-appointment after the expiration o f their
12 
term. I f  the Chairman, or the Vice-Chairman or any member o f
1


1 
the Board fails to complete his term, any person appointed to
2 
fill the vacancy shall serve only for the unexpired portion o f the
3 
term o f the Board member whom he succeeds.
4 
No person shall be appointed to the Board, 
unless he is a
5 
natural-born citizen o f the Philippines, not less than twenty-one
6 
(21) years o f age, and o f good moral character and standing in the
7 
community; 
Provided, That in the selection o f the 
members
8 
o f 
the 
Board 
due 
consideration 
shall 
be 
given 
to 
such
9 
qualifications as would produce a multi-sectoral combination o f
10 
expertise 
in 
the 
various 
areas o f 
motion 
picture, 
VIDEO
11 
GAMES, 
OUTDOOR 
MEDIA, 
and 
television; 
Provided, 
further,
12 
That at least five (5) members o f the BOARD shall be members
13 
o f the 
Philippine 
Bar; 
Provided, jfinally} 
FURTHER, 
That at
14 
least fifteen (15) members o f the Board may come from the
15 
movie and television industry to be nominated by legitimate
16 
associations representing the 
various sectors o f said industry,
17 
PROVIDED, 
FINALLY, THAT 
AT 
LEAST 
FIVE 
(5) 
MEMBERS
18 
OF 
THE 
BOARD 
MAY 
COME FROM 
VIDEO 
GAME 
AND
19 
OUTDOOR 
MEDIA 
INDUSTRIES TO 
BE 
NOMINATED 
BY
20 
LEGITIMATE 
ASSOCIATIONS 
REPRESENTING 
THE 
VARIOUS
21 
SECTORS OF SAID INDUSTRY.
22 
SEC. 3. Section 3 regarding Powers and Functions is hereby
23 
amended to read as follows:
24 
a) XXX
25 
b) To screen, review and examine all motion pictures, 
VIDEO
26 
GAMES, 
AND 
OUTDOOR 
MEDIA 
as herein 
defined, 
television
27 
programs, 
including 
publicity 
materials 
such 
as
28 
advertisements, 
trailers 
and 
stills, 
whether 
such 
motion
29 
pictures 
and 
publicity 
materials 
be 
for 
theatrical 
or 
non-
30 
theatrical distribution, 
for television 
broadcast or for genera!
31 
viewing, imported or produced in the Philippines, and in the


1
latter case, whether they be for local viewing or for export;
2
c) To approve or disapprove, delete objectionable portions from
3
and/ 
or 
prohibit 
the 
importation, 
exportation, 
production.
4
copying, 
distribution, 
sale, 
lease, 
exhibition and/ or television
5
broadcast 
o f the 
motion 
pictures, 
VIDEO 
GAMES, 
television
6
programs, 
OUTDOOR 
MEDIA, 
and publicity 
materials 
subject
7
o f the preceding paragraph, 
which, 
in the judgm ent o f the
8
board 
applying 
contemporary 
Filipino 
cultural 
values 
as
9
standard, 
are 
objectionable 
for 
being 
immoral, 
indecent.
10
contrary to law and/ or good customs, injurious to the prestige
11
o f the Republic o f the Philippines or its people, 
or with a
12
dangerous tendency to encourage the commission o f violence
13
or o f wrong or crime, such as but not limited to:
14
ii) XXX
15
iv) XXX
16
V) XXX
17
vi) XXX
18
vii) XXX
19
Provided, however, xxx
20
To supervise, regulate, and grant, deny or cancel, permits for
21
the 
importation, 
exportation, 
production, 
copying, 
distribution.
22
sale, 
lease, 
exhibition, 
and/ 
or 
television 
broadcast 
o f all
23
motion 
pictures, 
VIDEO 
GAMES, 
television 
programs,
24
OUTDOOR MEDIA and publicity materials, to the end that no
25
such pictures, programs and materials as are determined by
26
the Board to be objectionable in accordance with paragraph (c)
27
hereof 
shall 
be 
imported, 
exported, 
produced, 
copied.
28
reproduced, 
distributed, 
sold, 
leased, 
exhibited 
and/ 
or
29
broadcast by television;
30
To supervise, regulate, and grant, deny or cancel, permits for the
31
importation, exportation, production, copying, distribution, sale, lease.
32
exhibition, and/or television broadcast o f all motion pictures, VIDEO
3


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
GAMES, television programs, OUTDOOR MEDIA and publicity materials 
as are determined by the Board to be objectionable in accordance with 
paragraph (c) hereof shall be importer, exported, produced, copied, 
reproduced, distributed, sold, leased, exhibited and/or broadcast by 
television;
d) To 
classify 
motion 
pictures, 
VIDEO 
GAMES, 
teievision 
programs and similar shows into categories such as 
"G" or 
"For Genera! Patronage" (all ages admitted), 
"P" or "Parental 
Guidance Suggested", 
"R~ or "Resin ted" (for adults only), "X" 
or "Not for Public Viewing", or such other categories as the 
BOARD may determine for the public interest;
e) To 
dose 
movie 
houses and 
other 
similar 
establishments
engaged 
in 
the 
public 
exhibition 
o f motion 
pictures 
and
television 
programs, 
OR 
THE 
SALE 
AND|OR 
DISTRIBUTION 
OF 
VIDEO 
GAMES, 
which violate 
the provisions o f this Act
and 
the 
rules 
and 
regulations 
promulgated 
by 
the 
Board 
pursuant hereto;
I)  XXX
g) To deputize representatives from the government and from 
the 
various 
associations 
in 
the 
movie, 
VIDEO 
GAME, 
AND 
OUTDOOR 
MEDIA 
[industry] 
INDUSTRIES, 
whose 
main
duties 
shall 
be 
to 
help ensure 
compliance 
with 
all 
laws
relative to the importation, exportation, copying, distribution, sale, 
lease, 
exhibition 
and/ 
or 
television 
broadcast 
o f 
motion 
pictures, 
television 
programs, advertisements 
and 
publicity
materials. 
For this purpose, 
the 
Board may constitute such 
Regulatory 
Council 
or 
Councils 
composed 
o f representatives 
from the government and the movie and television industry as 
may be appropriate to implement the purposes and objectives 
o f this Act. 
The Board may also call on any law enforcement 
agency for assistance in the implementation and enforcement 
o f its decisions, orders or awards;


1 
h)7o cause the prosecution, 
on behalf o f the People o f the
2 
Philippines, 
o f violators o f this Act, 
o f anti-trust, 
obscenity,
3 
censorship 
and 
other 
laws pertinent 
to 
the 
movie, 
VIDEO
4 
GAME, 
OUTDOOR 
MEDIA 
and 
television 
[industry]
5 
INDUSTRIES;
6 
i)xxx
1 
j)XXX
8 
SEC. 4. Section 4 regarding Decision is amended by inserting the
9 
follow ing paragraph:
10 
THE 
PROCEDURES 
USED BY 
THE 
BOARD 
TO 
IMPLEMENT
11 
ITS 
REVIEW 
FUNCTIONS 
AND 
MAKE 
DECI.SIONS
12 
CONCERNING 
THE 
APPROVAL OR 
DISAPPROVAL 
OF 
A
13 
MOTION 
PICTURE 
OR 
TELEVISION, 
INCLUDING 
APPELLATE
14 
PROCEDURES, SHALL 
ALSO 
BE 
USED 
FOR 
THE 
REVIEW
15 
OF 
VIDEO 
GAMES 
AND 
OUTDOOR 
MEDIA 
AS 
APPLICABLE
16 
UNDER THIS ACT.
17 
SEC. 5. Section 6 regarding Examination and Review is amended
18 
by inserting the following paragraph:
19 
THE 
PROCEDURES 
USED BY 
THE 
BOARD 
TO 
IMPLEMENT
20 
ITS 
REVIEW 
FUNCTIONS 
AND 
MAKE 
DECI.SIONS
21 
CONCERNING 
THE 
APPROVAL OR 
DISAPPROVAL 
OF 
A
22 
MOTION 
PICTURE 
OR 
TELEVISION, 
INCLUDING 
APPELLATE
23 
PROCEDURES, SHALL 
ALSO 
BE 
USED 
FOR 
THE 
REVIEW
24 
OF VIDEO 
GAMES 
AND 
OUTDOOR 
MEDIA 
AS 
APPLICABLE
25 
UNDER THIS ACT.
26 
SEC. 6. Section 7  is amended to read as follows:
27 
Sec. 7. Unauthorized showing, SALE, DISTRIBUTION, or exhibition. -
28
XXX
29
30
31
IT SHALL ALSO BE UNLAWFUL TO SELL OR DISTRIBUTE TO A MINOR 
UNDER EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS OF AGE ANY VIDEO GAME THAT HAS 
BEEN RATED "ADULTS ONLY" BY THE BOARD. LIKEWISE, IT SHALL BE


3
4
5
6
7
8
1
2
UNLAWFUL FOR A MINOR UNDER EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS OF AGE TO 
BUY OR RECEIVE ANY VIDEO GAME THUS RATED.
NOTWITHSTANDING 
THE 
PROVISIONS 
OF 
OTHER 
APPLICABLE 
LAWS, 
A 
MINOR 
THAT 
MAKES 
USE 
OF 
ANY 
FALSE 
EVIDENCE 
ABOUT 
HIS 
OR 
HER 
AGE 
TO 
OBTAIN 
A 
COPY 
OF 
THE 
VIDEO 
GAME 
SHALL 
BE 
PUNISHED
PURSUANT 
TO 
THE 
PROVISIONS 
ON 
PENALTIES
STIPULATED BY SECTION 11 OF THIS ACT.
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
SEC. 7. Section 8 regarding Posting or Display o f Certificate or 
Label is amended by inserting the following paragraph:
THE PACKAGING OF ANY VIDEO GAME AND ANY PRINTED OR 
DIGITAL PUBLICITY MATERIAL, WHETHER LOCALLY-PRODUCED OR 
IMPORTED, 
THAT 
IS 
SOLD 
AND/OR 
DISTRIBUTED 
IN 
THE 
PHILIPPINES MUST DISPLAY ITS RATING AS ASSIGNED BY THE 
BOARD IN AN EASILY-VIEWABLE, LEGIBLE MANNER ON THE FRONT 
SIDE IN THE STYLE AND MANNER PRESCRIBED BY THE BOARD. 
DIGITAL 
COPIES 
OF 
GAMES 
MUST 
DISPLAY 
THE 
RATING LABEL ON THE MENU SCREEN.
SEC. 8. Section 10 regarding Definition o f Terms is amended by 
insetting the following numbers:
1. xxx
2. XXX
3. XXX
4. XXX
5. XXX
6. XXX
7. XXX
8.VIDEO 
GAME 
MANIPULATING 
PROGRAM 
ON
- 
A 
GAME 
PLAYED 
BY 
ELECTRONICALLY 
IMAGES 
PRODUCED 
BY 
A 
COMPUTER 
A 
TELEVISION 
SCREEN 
OR 
OTHER
ELECTRONIC DISPLAY SCREEN.
9.RATING 
LABEL 
- 
A 
MARKER
THAT 
USES 
WORDS,


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
COLORS, 
AND/OR 
OTHER 
VISUAL 
STYLE 
ELEMENTS 
TO
CLEARLY 
COMMUNICATE 
THE 
RATING 
OF THE 
GAME 
AS
CLASSIFIED BY THE BOARD.
10. 
DIGITAL 
COPY 
OF 
GAME 
- 
A 
VERSION 
OF THE 
GAME
THAT 
USES 
TECHNOLOGY, 
SUCH 
AS 
ONLINE 
DOWNLOADING, 
THAT 
DOES 
NOT 
REQUIRE 
A 
DISC 
OR
ANY 
OTHER 
HARD 
DEVICE 
FOR 
SALE 
AND/OR
DISTRIBUTION.
11. VIDEO 
GAME 
DISTRIBUTION 
- 
ANY 
COMMERCIAL
ACTIVITY 
THAT 
MAKES 
A 
VIDEO GAME 
AVAILABLE 
TO
THE 
GENERAL 
PUBLIC, 
INCLUDING 
MAKING 
A 
VIDEO 
GAME AVAILABLE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD ONLINE.
12.OUTDOOR 
MEDIA 
- 
REFERS 
TO 
ALL 
EXISTING 
AND 
PROPOSED 
ADVERTISING 
SIGNS, 
BILLBOARDS, 
DISPLAY 
SIGNS, 
ELECTRICAL 
SIGNS, 
LIGHT 
EMITTING 
DIODE 
(LED) 
SIGNS 
AND 
BILLBOARDS, 
GROUND 
SIGNS, 
ROOF 
SIGNS, 
AND SIGN STRUCTURES ALONG MAJOR THOROUGHFARES, PUBLIC 
ROADS, SECONDARY ROADS, AVENUES, STREETS, ROADS, PARKS 
AND OPEN SPACES WITHIN METRO MANILA AND OTHER CITIES AND 
MUNICIPALITIES.
21 
SEC. 9. Section 12 is amended to read as follows:
22
23
24
Sec. 
12. 
Banning 
o f 
Motion 
Pictures, 
VIDEO 
GAMES, 
OUTDOOR MEDIA, and Teievision Programs. -
XXX
25 
THE 
PROCEDURE 
FOLLOWED 
CONCERNING 
THE 
BANNING 
OF
26 
MOTION PICTURES AND TELEVISION PROGRAMS SHALL ALSO APPLY
27 
TO CASES IN WHICH VIDEO GAMES OR OUTDOOR MEDIA ARE
28 
DEEMED BY THE BOARD, AFTER EXAMINATION AND REVIEW, TO BE
29 
UNFIT FOR CONSUMPTION IN THE PHILIPPINES.
30 
SEC. 10. Im plem enting Rules and Regulations. - Within (60) days
31 
from the effectivity of this Act, the Board shall promulgate the implementing
32 
rules and regulations as may be necessary to ensure the efficient and effective
33 
implementation of this Act.
34 
SEC. 11. Separability Clause. - Should any part of this Act be declared
35 
unconstitutional, the rest of the provisions of this Act shall continue to be in
36 
effect and subsisting.
37
SEC. 12. Amendatory Clause. - The pertinent provisions of P.D. No.


1 
1986, 
in 
so far as they are inconsistent herewith, 
are 
hereby expressly
2 
amended or modified accordingly.
3 
SEC. 13. R epealing Clause. - The provisions of other laws, decrees,
4 
executive orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby
5 
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
6 
SEC. 14. E ffe c tiv ity  Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
7 
after its publication in the Official Gazette and/or in at least two (2) national
8 
newspapers in general circulation.
Approved,