Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL. wo 638_

'TRODUCED BY CONGRESSMAN ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Presidential Decree No, 1986, s. 1985 provided for the creation of the Movie and
Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) with the intent encouraging value-
based media and entertainment culture and establishing an age-appropriate media that will
serve as an indispensable tool for moral recovery and nation-building. Apart from regulating
and classifying motion pictures, television programs, and publicity materials, the mandate of
the MTRCB also include:

+ Promoting and protecting the family, the youth, the disabled, and other vulnerable

sectors of society in the context of media and entertainment
* Empowering the Filipino family, particularly

However, this Representation finds the need to update the mandate of the MTRCB as
it does not have the authority to review the content of a visual medium that has long been
popular among the Filipino youth - video games.

Concern has been growing with the proliferation of video games. For one, several of
these games contain mature and, to a certain extent, violent story lines which may promote
aggression and other negative behavioural problems among the youth. Thus, parents must
be given proper information to enable them to monitor their children’s consumption of video
games in order to prevent future problems.

In line with the MTRCB's thrust in promoting intelligent media viewership, this bill
expands the powers and functions of the MTRCB to provide for the regulation of video games.

Support for the immediate approval of this proposed legislation is earnestly sought.

ALFRED VARGAS


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House pitt no, 1838

INTRODUCED BY CONGRESSMAN ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT

EXPANDING THE POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE MOVIE AND TELEVISION REVIEW
AND CLASSIFICATION BOARD TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGULATION OF VIDEO GAMES,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1986

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled.

SECTION 1. Short Title.- This Act shall be known as the “Video Game and Outdoor
Media Regulation Act OF 2019."

Sec. 2. Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Section 2 regarding Composition, Qualifications,
and Benefits are hereby amended to read as follows:

The Board shall be composed of a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman and {thirty-(30}
members} THIRTY-FIVE (35) MEMBERS, who shall all be appointed by the
President of the Philippines. The Chairman, the Vice-Chairman, and the
members of the Board, shallhold the office for a term of one (1) year, unless
sooner removed by the President for any cause; provided, that they shall be
eligible for re-appointment after the expiration of their term. If the Chairman,
or the Vice-Chairman or any member of the Board fails to complete his term,
any person appointed to fill the vacancy shall serve only for the unexpired
portion of the term of the Board member whom he succeeds.

No person shall be appointed to the Board, unless he is a natural-born citizen
of the Philippines, not less than twenty-one (21) years of age, and of good
moral character and standing in the community; Provided, That in the
selection of the members of the Board due consideration shall be given to such
qualifications as would produce a multi-sectoral combination of expertise in
the various areas of motion picture, VIDEO GAMES, and television; Provided,
further, That at least five (5) members of the BOARD shall be members of the
Philippine Bar; Provided, {finally} FURTHER, That at least fifteen (15)



members of the Board may come from the movie and television industry to be
nominated by legitimate associations representing the various sectors of said
industry, PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT AT LEAST FIVE (5) MEMBERS OF THE
BOARD MAY COME FROM THE VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY TO BE NOMINATED
BY LEGITIMATE ASSOCIATIONS REPRESENTING THE VARIOUS SECTORS OF
SAID INDUSTRY.

SEC.3. Section 3 regarding Powers and Functions is hereby amended to read as
follows:

a)xxx

b) To screen, review and examine all motion pictures, VIDEO GAMES, as herein
defined, television programs, including publicity materials such as advertisements,
trailers and stills, whether such motion pictures and publicity materials be for
theatrical or non-theatrical distribution, for television broadcast or for general
viewing, imported or produced in the Philippines, and in the latter case, whether
they be for local viewing or for export

c) To approve or disapprove, delete objectionable portions from and/ or prohibit the
television broadcast of the motion pictures, VIDEO GAMES, television programs, and
publicity materials subject of the preceding paragraph, which, in the judgement of the
board applying contemporary Filipino cultural values as standard, are objectionable
for being immoral, indecent, contrary to law and/ or good customs, injurious to the
prestige of the Republic of the Philippines or its people, or with a dangerous tendency
to encourage the commission of violence or of wrong or crime, such as but not limited
to

ii) xxx
iv) xxx
v) xxx

vi) xxx
Vii) xxx

Provided, however, xxx

To supervise, regulate, and grant, deny or cancel, permits for the importation,
exportation, production, copying, distribution, sale, lease, exhibition, and/ or
television broadcast of all motion pictures, VIDEO GAMES, television programs, and
publicity materials, to the end that no such pictures, programs and materials as are
determined by the Board to be objectionable in accordance with paragraph (c) hereof



shall be imported, exported, produced, copied, reproduced, distributed, sold, leased,
exhibited, and/ or broadcast by television

d) To classify motion pictures, VIDEO GAMES, television programs and similar shows
into categories such as “G" or “For General 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 close movie houses and other similar establishments engaged in the public
exhibition of motion pictures and television programs, OR THE SALE AND/OR
DISTRIBUTION OF VIDEO GAMES, which violate the provisions of this Act and the
rules and regulations promulgated by the Board pursuant hereto;

f) xxx

8) To deputize representatives from the government and from the various
associations in the movie AND VIDEO GAME findustey} 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
of motion pictures, television programs, advertisements and publicity materials. For
this purpose, the Board may constitute such Regulatory Council or Councils
composed af representatives from the government and the movie and television
industry as may be appropriate to implement the purposes and objectives of this Act.
The Board may also call on any law enforcement agency for assistance in the
implementation and enforcement of its decisions, orders or awards;

h) To cause the prosecution, on behalf of the People of the Philippines, of violators of
this Act, of anti-trust, obscenity, censorship and other laws pertinent to the movie,
VIDEO GAME, and television findustey]IN DUSTRIES;

i) xxx
j) xxx

SEC. 4.Section 4 regarding Decision is amended by inserting the following
paragraph:

‘THE PROCEDURES USED BY THE BOARD TO IMPLEMENT ITS REVIEW FUNCTIONS
AND MAKE DECISIONS CONCERNING THE APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF A
MOTION PICTURE OR TELEVISION, INCLUDING APPELLATE PROCEDURES, SHALL
ALSO BE USED FOR THE REVIEW OF VIDEO GAMES AS APPLICABLE UNDER THIS
ACT.


5, Section 6 regarding Examination and Review is amended by inserting the
following paragraph:

THE PROCEDURES USED BY THE BOARD TO IMPLEMENT ITS REVIEW FUNCTIONS
AND MAKE DECISIONS CONCERNING THE APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF A
MOTION PICTURE OR TELEVISION, INCLUDING APPELLATE PROCEDURES, SHALL.
ALSO BE USED FOR THE REVIEW OF VIDEO GAMES AS APPLICABLE UNDER THIS
ACT.

SEC. 6, Section 7 is amended to read as follows:
Sec, 7. Unauthorized showing, SALE, DISTRIBUTION, or exhibition. -

ANN

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 ROAD. LIKEWISE, IT SHALL BE 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 SELECTION 11 OF THIS ACT.

SEC. 7. Section 8 regarding Posting or Display of 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 of Terms is amended by inserting the
following numbers:



5. XxX
6.x
7. xxN

8. VIDEO GAME ~ A GAME PLAYED BY ELECTRONICALLY MANIPULATING IMAGES
PRODUCED BY A COMPUTER PROGRAM ON A TELEVISION SCREEN OR OTHER
ELECTRONIC DISPLAY SCREEN

9. RATING LABEL ~ A MARKER THAT USES WORDS, COLORS, AND/OR OTHER
VISUAL STYLE ELEMENTS TO CLEARLY COMMUNICATE THE RATING OF THE GAME
AS CLASISIFIED 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 DISCOR ANY OTHER
HARD DEVICE FOR SALE AND/OR DISTRIBUTION.

11, VIDEO GAME DISTRIBUTION - ANY COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY THAT MAKES A
VIDEO A VIDEO GAME AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, INCLUDING MAKING
A VIDEO GAME AVAILABLE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD ONLINE.

SE

9. Section 12 is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 12. Banning of Motion Pictures, VIDEO GAMES, and
Television Programs.

XXX

THE PROCEDURE FOLLOWED CONCERNING THE BANNING OF MOTION PICTURES
AND TELEVISION PROGRAMS SHALL ALSO APPLY TO CASES IN WHICH VIDEO
GAMES ARE DEEMED BY THE BOARD, AFTER EXAMINATION AND REVIEW, TO BE
UNFIT FOR CONSUMPTION IN THE PHILIPPINES.

SEC. 10, Implementing Rules and Regulations. -Within (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Board shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations as
may be necessary to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 11. Separability Clause. - Should any part of this Act be declared
unconstitutional, the rest of the provisions of this Act shall continue to be in effect and
subsisting

SEC. 12. Amendatory Clause. - The pertinent provisions of P.D. No. 1986, in so far
as they are inconsistent herewith, are hereby expressly amended or modified accordingly.



SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. - The provisions of other laws, decrees, executive orders
rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 14. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette and/or in at least two (2) national newspapers in general
circulation

Approved,