MANILA, Philippines – Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) chairperson Lala Sotto explained that Filipino films Alipato at Muog and Dear Satan were given X ratings because they were “violative of Presidential Decree (PD) No. 1986.”

PD 1986, signed in 1985 by then-President Ferdinand E. Marcos, father of the current Philippine president, created the MTRCB. It states that the MTRCB board may disapprove a film for public viewing on several grounds. 

During the Tuesday, September 3 hearing of the Senate subcommittee on the proposed 2025 budget of MTRCB and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), Sotto said that these rating classifications were not an attack on freedom of expression. 

“Freedom of expression is not absolute nor limitless. That’s why there’s a law in place, that’s why there exists MTRCB,” Sotto, a daughter of former Senate president Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, said. 

She then proceeded to confirm that Alipato at Muog — the documentary film about missing activist Jonas Burgos — was given an X rating. “It was not allowed for public exhibition based on the judgment of the review committee,” Sotto said.

She cited section 3, C) 2 of PD 1986 as the reason, which states that the board may disapprove films that tend to “undermine the faith and confidence of the people in their government and/or the duly constituted authorities.”

Sotto added that despite the X rating, MTRCB gave the film an exhibition permit for the Cinemalaya Film Festival and didn’t stop the producers from conducting academic film showings. “That is not curtailing freedom of expression nor creation,” she said. 

The MTRCB chairperson shared that Alipato at Muog team already applied for a second review. Another review committee, which will be comprised of five board members, will screen the film on Thursday, September 5, and discuss the movie’s rating classification. 

Director JL Burgos earlier penned an open letter to the MTRCB, asking the board to reconsider the X rating. “We will abide by the processes of such undertakings as we have done from the very first day of the search of my brother. We will also submit the documents of the Jonas Burgos case that they are asking from us,” he said.

As for Dear Satan, the Christmas-themed movie starring Paolo Contis and child star Sienna Stevens, Sotto also said that the film was also “violative of PD No. 1986.” 

Sotto said she was part of the board that reviewed the film. 

“I am offended as a Christian. It is not demonic, but it has a different depiction of Satan becoming good. Satan will never be good,” she said. 

Dear Satan revolves around a child who was supposed to write a letter for Santa Claus, but addressed it to Satan (played by Contis) instead. Satan then tries to influence the child to do wrong deeds, but their interaction changed him instead. 

Sotto said that the team behind Dear Satan has yet to appeal the X rating. 

In late August, producer Mavx Productions announced that they’re changing the movie title to “better reflect its intended message and to honor the sensitivities of all our viewers.” 

They added that it was never their intention to “hurt or disrespect anyone’s religious beliefs,” as they emphasize that the film is a “narrative about the power of faith and the triumph of good over evil.” 

Sotto said, however, that the MTRCB chairperson has no power to modify or downgrade a decision of the MTRCB board. She said the producer can still appeal which will be reviewed by a 5-person board. – Rappler.com