MTRCB may soon be able to regulate online streaming platforms

The Senate has passed a bill that would expand the authority of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to include streaming services like Netflix and Disney+.

Approved on its third and final reading on June 2, 2025, the measure now moves forward in the legislative process.

The MTRCB Act or the Senate Bill No. 2805, backed by Sen. Robin Padilla, updates the MTRCB’s mandate to cover content from on-demand streaming services. According to the bill, the agency would gain the authority to review and classify digital content, something it currently doesn’t regulate.

Padilla argued that streaming platforms need oversight, especially when it comes to protecting children from what he described as “immoral” or “violent” material. He also suggested that Western content in particular could conflict with Filipino cultural values.

The proposed law defines on-demand streaming services as platforms that let users watch or download curated video content online.

“For paid on-demand streaming services, [MTRCB] shall require the streaming service to submit a list and classification of all movies, series, and programs offered and order a reclassification after screening, only as necessary,” the Senate’s press release read.

Aside from expanding its scope, the bill also proposes that the MTRCB chairperson and vice-chairperson receive compensation and benefits equal to high-ranking government officials.

The MTRCB was established in 1985 to monitor films and TV shows. With streaming platforms now dominating how people consume media, lawmakers say this move is aimed at bringing the agency’s role into the digital era.

Critics have previously raised concerns that giving the MTRCB more control over digital content could lead to censorship or limit creative freedom. But supporters of the bill argue it’s about keeping up with the times and keeping harmful content in check.