In this page, you will learn about what the MTRCB is all about, its mission and vision,

III. Mission and Vision of the MTRCB

as well as the duties and responsibilities pertaining to an MTRCB Deputy. It is
important for you to know that being a Deputy is a privilege, not a right, granted to a
Mission : To encourage value-based media and entertainment
very select few. Although there may be certain perks or benefits derived from being a
culture
Deputy, the focus is not on the benefit derived but on the service that you, as a
Deputy, can provide the MTRCB and society, as a whole.
Vision : To provide age-appropriate media as an indispensable
tool for moral recovery and nation building
Thus, in order to qualify to become a Deputy, you will have to undergo a qualifying
examination based on the topics discussed below. Kindly read and review them
carefully because the knowledge that you will get from this discussion will aid you in
the performance of your duties as a Deputy.
IV. Primer for MTRCB Deputy

A. Qualifications of an MTRCB Deputy

I. What is the MTRCB?

 Filipino
The MTRCB is a quasi-judicial government agency under the Office of
the President, which is responsible for the review and classification of  Of legal age
television programs, movies and publicity materials.
 Appointment by the MTRCB

B. Nature of Deputy Appointments

II. What is the jurisdiction of the MTRCB?
1.
The MTRCB has jurisdiction over the following:
A. Television Programs – include all materials or content seen on free
television and cable television, on UHF or VHF, including those seen
on digital terrestrial television, or through direct-to-home facilities,
whether local or foreign, such as, but not limited to, teleseryes,
noontime live programs, full length movies, and the like.
B. Movies – include all motion pictures, whether local or foreign,
2.
intended to be publicly exhibited in theaters or cinemas, including
buses and ferries (which are treated as mobile theaters), including
Optical Media Board Materials (OMB), i.e. DVDs, CDs, and the like.
C. Publicity Materials – include both video publicity materials, such as
movie trailers shown in theaters or cinemas, in theater lobbies, video
walls, or other similar venues; and movie trailers shown on television.
It also includes non-video publicity materials, such as newspaper
advertisements and other layouts, 2-D and 3-D standees or mock-
ups, still photos and other similar materials.
3.
The appointment of an MTRCB Deputy undergoes a careful
evaluation by the Committee on Deputization. Thus, regardless of
any previous appointment and/or the length thereof, no applicant has
an inherent right to be deputized. That an appointment may be
“renewed” is, thus, legally inaccurate. With no right, there is no
corresponding duty on the part of the Board to grant any application.
The appointment being a matter of trust and confidence in law and in
fact, the Board reserves its right and authority to cancel any
appointment, with or without cause, at any time.
It is the Board’s policy to democratize appointments by splitting the
applicants amongst various sectors (educational institutions, NGOs,
government agencies, etc.) and granting considerable room for new
applicants. In this connection, the Board will also consider the
availability and competence of any applicant from the general public
to assist the Board in regard to its other functions, particularly its
developmental and empowerment initiatives, aside from the
traditional inspection of movie houses and other venues and the
monitoring of television shows, and other media content.
The Board reiterates that being appointed a Deputy is a privilege,
and at the same time a responsibility. This is proven by the fact that
such appointment is essentially revocable. Moreover, in view of both
regulatory and developmental or empowerment functions of the
 Board and further to its power under Section 3 (h) and 3 (k), P.D. No.
1986, any Deputy of the Board can be designated to perform any
tasks other than the usual inspection of theaters and similar venues,
as to which tasks said Deputy must always be readily available.
1.
C. Duties and Responsibilities of a Deputy
b. Non-video Publicity Materials (NVPM) refer
to the following:
Layouts, such as newspaper advertisements,
posters, billboards, streamers, t-shirts, and other
print materials;

2. 2-D or two-dimensional standees or cut-outs;

1. Attend, if required by an Order of the Board, a Matalinong Panonood
Seminar or any other seminar specifically scheduled for MTRCB
Deputies.
2. Monitor Video and Non-Video Publicity Materials.
a. Video Publicity Materials (VPM) refer to the
following:
1. Movie trailers publicly exhibited in theaters. – This
type of VPM may either have a “G” or “PG”
classification given to it by the MTRCB. Movie
trailers with a “G” classification may be shown
together with any main feature regardless of the
latter’s classification. On the other hand, movie
trailers with a “PG” classification may only be shown
with a main feature given a classification higher than
“G.” In short, a “PG” VPM may not be shown
together with a “G” main feature.
3. 3-D or three-dimensional standees, cut-outs or
mock-ups;
4. All types of NVPM may only be allowed if they have
been given a “G” classification by the MTRCB.
5. Each NVPM, regardless of type, has a Permit to
Exhibit. Unlike in the case of VPM, the cinema
operator is not required to have in its possession a
copy of the Permit to Exhibit. The Deputy, in case of
doubt as to whether a particular NVPM was passed
upon and given a “G” classification by the MTRCB,
may check on the existence of the Permit by visiting
the MTRCB Website (www.mtrcb.gov.ph) and then
clicking on the Non-Video Publicity Materials tab. An
exact replica of the displayed NVPM must be found
in the website. Otherwise, the NVPM displayed has
no Permit to Exhibit.

2. Movie trailers publicly exhibited in theater lobbies,
LED billboards, and other public areas. – This type
of VPM may only be exhibited in in theater lobbies,
LED billboards, and other public areas if it has a “G”
classification.
3. Movie trailers shown on television. – This type of
VPM may only be shown on television if it has a “G”
classification.
4. Television plugs. – This type of VPM may only be
shown on television if it has a “G” classification.
5. Each VPM has a Permit to Exhibit and the cinema
operator is expected to have in its possession a
copy thereof. If a VPM appears to be inappropriate,
i.e. if it contains frontal nudity, erotic poses, sexual
acts, horrifying, gory and bloody scenes or images,
and the like, then it may be necessary to check if the
material has a permit.
3. In cinemas, verify if the movie being shown has been
issued a Permit to Exhibit by the MTRCB, and that the
Permit is prominently displayed at the ticket selling area
within reading distance of a moviegoer. It is ideal if a
moviegoer is able to read the Permit before he purchases
tickets for the movie he intends to watch.
4. A Permit to Exhibit contains important details about the
movie such as the following:
 Movie title
 Color-coded movie classification
 Reason/s for Classification
 Permit Number
 Date of Issuance and Date of Expiration
  Cast
 Producer
 Running Time
 Producer
 Review Committee Members
 Country of origin
 Signature of the Chairman
5. Verify if the movie is being shown within the validity
period for exhibition stated in the Permit. Verify if the movie’s
classification rating stated in the Permit is the same as that
appearing in cinema standees, menu boards, signages and
other paraphernalia and promotional materials.
6. Verify if there is a standee, which should be
approximately 3 ft. high, if it bears the correct classification
rating, and if it is conspicuously displayed at or near the
entrance to the cinema. Classifications of the MTRCB for
movies are color-coded as follows:
 Green for “G”
 Blue for “PG”
 Yellow for “R-13”
 Orange for “R-16”
 Red for “R-18”
7. Ensure that theaters strictly observe and comply with the
rules for admission of patrons, based on age-suitability of the
classification of the film. In case of a double program, the
movie with the higher restrictive classification shall prevail.
Age-verification process:
 “G” - no need for age-verification
 “PG” - patron below 13 years old should be
accompanied by a responsible adult
 “R-13” - no patron below 13 years old
 “R-16” - no patron below16 years old
 “R-18” - no patron below 18 years old.
8. Once inside the cinema, check if there are moviegoers
below the appropriate age based on the movie’s
classification, or, in case of a “PG” classification, if there are
unaccompanied children below 13 years old.
9. A trailer shown inside the cinema has a Permit to Exhibit
with a validity period. Prior to the showing of a trailer, there
should be a 3-second advisory stating the classification of
the trailer. In instances where trailers are shown in a set, as
in the case of hard-locked trailers, each trailer must have a
Permit to Exhibit of its own and must be within its validity
period as stated in the Permit. If the hard-locked trailers
have varying classifications, the highest rating shall prevail.
If in doubt, check the permit.
10. Ensure that a 3-second advisory announcing the
classification of the main feature is shown prior to the
exhibition of the movie.
11. Monitor television content which may be classified only
as:
 “G” or GENERAL AUDIENCE – Suitable for all
ages. Does not contain anything unsuitable for
children, and safe to be viewed without adult
guidance or supervision.
 “PG” or PARENTAL GUIDANCE – Parental
Guidance may contain some adult material but may
be permissible for children to watch under the
guidance and supervision of a parent or an adult.
 “SPG” or STRONG PARENTAL GUIDANCE –
May contain more serious topic and theme. May not
be advisable for children to watch thus requiring
greater parental responsibility.
 Classification of the MTRCB for Television are color-
coded as follows:
 Green for “G”
 Blue for “PG”
 Red for “SPG”
12. Monitor public transportation, i.e. buses and ferries
using television to entertain passengers.
13. Make periodic reports on observations concerning
movie and television content that he/she has monitored.
14. Immediately make a report in case of monitored
violations. Reports shall be made in writing, without
prejudice to informing the MTRCB at the first instance by the
fastest means possible, e.g. voice call, email, or text
message, which may nonetheless be subject to formal and
extended documentation thereafter.
15. Cooperate actively with the Board in any of its
undertakings and initiatives, including those further to its
empowerment and developmental functions.
16. Comply with any and all directives and instructions from
the Board.
D. Privileges of a Deputy
In performing his monitoring and inspection duties, a Deputy may
gain access to cinemas, together with one (1) companion, without
having to pay admission fees. This privilege covers all theaters in
the Philippines, except those stated in the following Memorandum
Circulars:
1. A Deputy is NOT ALLOWED FREE ADMISSION to theaters showing
Official Entries in the annual METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL
during the festival period. (Memorandum Circular No. 03-11)
However, after the festival period on its extended run, a Deputy may
conduct his monitoring and inspection duties without paying for
admission fees.
2. A Deputy is not allowed admission to theaters exhibiting special
screenings. Premieres and live coverage of boxing events in any
theater is in the nature of a special screening, hence a Deputy is not
entitled to free admission. (Memorandum Circular No. 07-09)
3. A Deputy is not entitled to free admission to the following theaters
with limited seating capacity: Eastwood Ultra Cinema 7, Shang
Premier Theater, Directors Club in SM Mall of Asia, SM
Megamall, and SM Aura Premier, Recliner seats of Trinoma
Cinema, Ultra Cinema in Resorts World, 4D Cinema in Bonifacio
High Street, Gateway Cineplex 10 and Uptown VIP Cinema
(Memorandum Circular Nos. 06-09; 05-09; 04-07; 07-07; and 06-07).
o SM IMAX Theatres are not considered as cinemas with
limited seating capacity; hence, a deputy may perform his
monitoring and inspection duties in SM IMAX Theatres
without having to pay admission fees.
4. A Deputy may be refused free admission to a cinema if there is no
paying patron yet for the same screening he intends to monitor at the
time he presents his Deputy Card. However, once there is a paying
patron, the Deputy may already avail of his privilege.
5. A Deputy is not allowed to avail of express, special or priority lanes
provided for Senior Citizens, Pregnant Women, PWD’s, MTRCB
Board Members, etc. A Deputy must always use the regular lanes.
E. Significant Rules for a Deputy
1. A Deputy may bring ONE (1) companion with him when monitoring
cinemas, provided that the age of the companion is appropriate for
the movie to be monitored based on the classification stated in the
Permit to Exhibit. (Memorandum Circular No. 01-04)
2. A Deputy is required to present his MTRCB Deputy Card to the ticket
seller when securing his free admission tickets and again to the
porter/usher/security guard before entering the cinema he intends to
monitor.
3. A Deputy Card is non-transferrable. It cannot be used by any other
person aside from the Deputy. Never can it be copied or used for any
other purpose, except for the performance by the Deputy concerned
of his functions and duties.
4. For monitoring purposes, theater personnel are encouraged to list
down the Deputy card number and the names of both the Deputy and
his companion.
5. A Deputy may be required by the theater operator/owner/personnel
to identify his/her companion. (Memorandum Circular 07-06)
 6. Theater operators/managers/personnel must not require a Deputy
TO SECURE ENTRY PASS ID or the LIKE at a venue (other than the
ticket booth) quite far from the theater the Deputy would like to
enter. (Memorandum Circular No. 18-03)
7. Theater operators/owners/personnel may not require an MTRCB
Deputy to sit either at the far side or edge of the theater or at the front
(almost at the foot) of the screen of the cinema house. (Memorandum
Circular No. 08-06)
8. A Deputy is strictly prohibited from selling, giving away or disposing
of, whether for profit or not, his or his companion’s admission tickets
to anybody for whatever reason.
9. A Deputy is not allowed to leave his companion inside the theater for
a considerable length of time for whatever reason. If a Deputy cannot
avoid having to leave a theater to attend to other matters, he must
bring his companion out with him.
10. A Deputy is not allowed to bring another companion into a second or
third theater after leaving a companion in a first theater.
(Memorandum Circular No.17-03).
11. A Deputy is not entitled to food, drinks or other promotional items
G. Important Reminders to Deputies
given to paying patrons.
12. A Deputy may not be refused free admission to a cinema because
one or more MTRCB Deputies have already been issued free
admission tickets to the same screening.
13. A Deputy may only secure free admission tickets for within the day
screenings of movies. One or more days advance availment for
tickets to a movie screening is not allowed.
14. A Deputy, while in the performance of his monitoring and inspection
duties, represents the MTRCB and its Board of Directors. It is
incumbent upon him to always act with proper decorum, dignity and
professionalism and not be arrogant, unjust and condescending in
dealing with stakeholders of the MTRCB.
15. Theaters are likewise urged to report to MTRCB any abuses
committed by Deputies and, in such cases, they are authorized to
retain and confiscate the cards of MTRCB Deputies. After
confiscating the card, the theaters must immediately transmit the
same to this office. (Memorandum Circular No. 17-03).
F. Steps to Take in Case of Violation
1. For Television Programs:
No content inappropriate for television broadcast shall be
allowed. Programs which contain explicit sexual scenes,
indecency, vulgar or offensive language, intense horror,
excessive violence, or graphic depiction of drug use are not
appropriate for television. In case of violation, a Deputy shall
notify the MTRCB in writing the following: the date, time,
channel, title of the program and prepare a brief description
of the alleged offensive scene and report to the MTRCB.
2. For Movies:
For violations committed by theaters, a Deputy should call
the attention of the theater manager or porter on the
violation committed so that it can be immediately corrected
or acted upon. The Deputy shall do his best to document
the violation, taking pictures if circumstances warrant the
same, note all details of the violation, the names and
positions of the theater personnel, and immediately report in
writing the alleged violation to the MTRCB. In performing his
duty, the Deputy must always be discreet and polite.
1. The jurisdiction of the MTRCB covers movies, television programs and publicity
materials, particularly the content thereof. As such, it has no jurisdiction over
the following:
o Cost of Admission in cinemas
o Length of trailers being shown
o Sanitation of theaters and comfort rooms
o Artistic quality of materials, more so the absence thereof
2. Always observe cinema rules and regulations. Theater managers are
authorized to confiscate the deputy card of a deputy who is abusive of their
privileges.
3. A Deputy must submit reports per month. Reports are not limited to offenses
but may be commendations or mere observations or suggestions. Reported
offenses forwarded to the Board will enable it to go after violators of the law. A
Deputy who fails to submit reports risks cancellation of his/her deputy card.
4. MTRCB treats Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs) and vessels that publicly exhibit
television programs and motion pictures as mobile theaters or theaters-on-
wheels. Because of their unrestricted accessibility to the general public, PUVs
and vessels can only publicly exhibit television programs and motion pictures
with classification rating from General Audience (“G”) to Parental Guidance
(“PG”), for motion pictures, and up to Strong Parental Guidance (“SPG”), for
television programs.