Senate passes MTRCB Bill expanding oversight to streaming platforms

The Senate has approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2805, or the MTRCB Act, a landmark legislation that expands the regulatory powers of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to cover online streaming services.

Authored and sponsored by Senator Robin C. Padilla, the bill seeks to modernize the MTRCB’s mandate—first established in October 1985—by extending its jurisdiction to digital platforms. Senator Padilla underscored the urgent need for content regulation in the online space to uphold Filipino values and protect children from inappropriate material.

The proposed law defines “On-Demand Streaming Services” as internet-based platforms that offer curated video content for real-time or offline viewing.

Under the measure, the MTRCB will be authorized to require paid streaming platforms to submit a full list and classification of their content, and to reclassify titles it finds inconsistent with Filipino standards of decency and morality.

The bill is seen as a critical response to mounting concerns over the spread of obscene, immoral, or violent content online. It also seeks to reinforce the Board’s capacity by upgrading the rank and salary of the MTRCB chairperson and vice-chairperson to the level of Department undersecretary and assistant secretary, respectively—reflecting the broader scope of their duties in the digital era.