MTRCB justifies X rating on 'Alipato at Muog': 'Freedom of expression is not absolute, limitless'

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) on Tuesday cited the limits of freedom of expression in justifying its decision to give documentary film 'Alipato at Muog' an X rating.

MTRCB Chairperson Lala Sotto-Antonio made the statement at the Senate finance subcommittee's hearing on the agency's proposed P164 million budget for 2025.

It was Senator Jinggoy Estrada who mentioned the public appeals made by the documentary film's director JL Burgos, the University of the Philippines (UP) Cinema, and the National Union of Journalist of the Philippines (NUJP) for the MTRCB to reconsider its decision, emphasizing the Filipinos' rights to express their thoughts freely.

"On freedom of expression, we all know that freedom of expression is not absolute nor limitless. That is why there is a law in place. That is why there exists the MTRCB. That is why we have the Presidential Decree of 1986 to follow, because there is a law. Laws and rules are important in order to put order," Sotto-Antonio said.

"We have a law to follow. It has been found to be violative and we have indicated already the reason why it was X-ed (rated X). It is the section 3(c)(ii) of PD 1986," she added, reiterating that the film "tends to undermine the faith and confidence of the people in their government or duly-constituted authorities."

The MTRCB chairperson maintained that they did not infringe on the right to freedom of expression as she noted that they have given an exemption permit for the documentary film's public exhibition during this year's Cinemalaya Film Festival.

"That is not curtailing freedom of expression nor creation. They have also conducted academic film showings which we did not stop them from. That is not curtailing freedom of expression," she said.

Since the director of the documentary film has officially submitted their appeal, Sotto-Antonio said the MTRCB has already scheduled its second review on September 5.

"Alipato at Muog" is an independently produced documentary film which centered on the search for truth behind the abduction of activist Jonas Burgos in 2007. Jonas is the brother of JL Burgos, the director of the film.

The documentary film premiered in this year's Cinemalaya Film Festival and was awarded with the Special Jury Award for full length film. —JCB, GMA Integrated News