Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 19) – Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Thursday raised recent instances that the Film Development Council of the Philippines overstepped its mandate, such as issuing rules that cover television and advertising companies, although its scope is limited to movies.
The senator said some television directors and producers reached out to him, complaining about the requirements issued by the council related to health and safety protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the FDCP having no authority over them.
Sotto, who principally authored and sponsored the law that created the FDCP, reminded the council that it was established for the purpose of being a “cinema evaluation board.”
“What is the legal basis for exercising their authority over the entire audio-visual sector including the television productions?” he asked during the Senate plenary hearing on the FDCP’s 2021 proposed budget. “I guarantee you they do not have that authority.”
An example mentioned was the FDCP requiring television companies to report to the council, seven days ahead of a production shoot day. Sotto, a veteran entertainer himself, said this is a burden considering that shoots are sometimes scheduled on short notice.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, who was sponsoring the budget to the plenary, said it was the Labor Department that recommended this requirement for the purpose of easily monitoring companies’ compliance with minimum health standards.
She added that the FDCP held 17 meetings with producers and advertisers, as well as the Health, Trade and Labor departments while crafting the guidelines. The protocols are currently undergoing revisions, she added. However, Sotto said he heard from the producers themselves that they were not consulted.
Sotto also mentioned that the council revised its implementing rules and regulations in May this year, expanding its powers, which again oversteps even the authority of Congress. The FDCP maintained that it does not get extra powers from the new provisions but added that it will take up the issue in the next board meeting.
