Will you allow MTRCB to control live streaming apps?

A war is brewing between internationally acclaimed director Brillante Ma. Mendoza and action superstar and now senator of the land Robin Padilla.

The issue: Senate Bill 2805 (An act strengthening the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board and appropriating funds thereof) authored by Senator Padilla himself that seeks to expand the powers of MTRCB over its control of live streaming platforms and contents.

According to the proposed bill, it aims to modernize the MTRCB’s charter, established in 1985, to address the growing use of live streaming apps.

The bill also aims to empower the MTRCB to regulate streaming contents and address the issues of obscenity, immorality, and violence in digital formats.

Is the act a declaration of war against the overwhelming reception of sex-oriented and violent audio-visual fares directed to Vivamax, Netflix, Amazon, Prime and other digital platforms?

According to Brillante, Padilla’s proposal is deeply troubling as it intends to protect children.

Mendoza argued, in his official statement, that it is a blatant control over an individual’s viewing choices in the privacy of one’s home.

“Who has the right to dictate what we can and cannot watch? Should a government agency have this power? Is the control they already exert over cinema and television not enough?” asked Brillante.

“We live in an age of social media and widespread internet access. We cannot, and should not, control what every citizen chooses to watch. This is not the government’s purview; it is a matter of personal responsibility. If the aim of this bill is to safeguard the morality of young people, controlling access to content is not the answer. That responsibility lies with parents in raising their children. If a child witnesses corruption daily, from the barangay level to the highest echelons of government, how can they be guided towards righteousness? This is where our focus should be.

“Everything begins in the family. Who we are today is a product of our parents’ upbringing, and no one else’s,” asserted Mendoza.

        Even if Dante Mendoza didn’t directly accuse Robin of pursuit of prominence, it appears that the latter was the one, being referred to by the former in this tirade: “…Let’s stop the political grandstanding…”

Without dropping names, though, Mendoza must have called in as well as Robin’s fellow legislators from showbiz like Lito Lapid, Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., Jinggoy Estrada and Grace Poe to rally for their colleagues’ plight.

“Showbiz personalities who have attained power and wealth thanks to the film industry should prioritize the welfare of Filipino film workers. They have prospered within this industry, yet concrete legislation to protect its workers remains absent. After years of acting, experiencing the hardships of filmmaking, and serving in politics, have they not paused to consider how they might help their fellow workers?” added the award-winning director.

“Had Eddie Garcia not died, perhaps the law regarding fair working conditions would have been enacted sooner. It’s a basic law that should have been in place long ago. The industry has been languishing, yet no action has been taken to revive it, while ordinary film workers struggle to survive. Even directors and writers resort to odd jobs just to make ends meet,'” Mendoza lamented.

“We live in modern times. Let us not be hypocrites. Let us be truthful. Let us open our eyes to our surroundings. Let us feel what others are going through, what is in the hearts of our fellow Filipinos. Let us truly see, not just look. Because in seeing, we will find something far more meaningful,” he pleaded.

Additionally, as film and online content artists, the freedom to create a piece no matter how disturbing or liberating to the viewers even if dissenting to the establishment but done logically, artistically, fairly and objectively must be seen or heard for enlightenment of the audience for them to think, act and decide to better their lives.

Although there is a corresponding responsibility, a digital content artist must also be knowledgeable and credible about his/her craft, artistry and ideas being peddled online.

I am reminded of actress Jessica Pica who suggested that content creators must be licensed and thoroughly screened by a regulatory agency before they are allowed to upload stories.

Professionalism must embody streaming contents not only in the name of profit but in handling worthwhile information beneficial to the public.

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Wedding bells for Vincent Co and Bea Alonzo?

Vincent’s mom is reportedly close to Bea.

Is it true that the Puregold’s Cos are ready to propose marriage to the actress?

There’s a tradition, though, in the case of a Chinese guy that his family prefers their own.

Let’s wait and see.