August 25, 2011

IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES OF MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 05-2011 AMENDING SECTION 2, CHAPTER IV OF THE 2004 IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF

Pursuant to Section 3 (a) of

CHAPTER I

Scope of Application

SECTION 1. Coverage. These Rules shall cover all television programs, motion pictures, and publicity materials for, or pertaining to, television broadcast including cable television service.

SECTION 2. All television programs must strictly comply with the classification rating herein prescribed, otherwise, they shall not be approved for television broadcast.

CHAPTER II

Definition of Terms

SECTION 1. Definition of Terms. As used in these implementing guidelines, the following terms shall mean:

a) Adult Refers to any person who is eighteen (18) years of age or over. aEcHCD

b) Board Refers to the

c) Cable Television Service Refers to the delivery of audiovisual material, whether by wire or wireless method, to subscribers for a consideration, whether in the form of subscription fee, membership fee, or its equivalent.

d) Classification Refers to the rating imposed by the Board on any motion picture, television or cable television programs, publicity materials and advertisements to determine audience suitability.

e) Child Refers to any person less than eighteen (18) years of age.

f) Motion Picture Refers to a series of pictures projected on screen in rapid succession, with objects shown in successive positions slightly changed so as to produce the optical effect of a continuous picture in which the objects move, whether the picture be black and white or colored, silent or with accompanying sound, on whatever medium and with whatever mechanisms or equipment they are projected, and in whatever material they are preserved or recorded for instant projection.

g) Publicity Material Refers to any audio or video material or a combination thereof of short duration (usually from five (5) seconds to thirty (30) seconds) that is shown on television designed to generate public interest in a television program, motion picture, people, place or product.

h) Television Broadcast Refers to the public exhibition by transmitting sound or images by television or similar equipment, including cable television, and other limited audience distribution.

i) Television Program Refers to any matter aired or broadcast on free television or cable television including but not limited to public affairs programs, live programs, advertisements, game shows, teleplays and motion pictures.

CHAPTER III

Television Classification

SECTION 1. Television Classification. All television programs are to be classified as GENERAL PATRONAGE ("G"); PARENTAL GUIDANCE ("PG"); STRONG PARENTAL GUIDANCE ("SPG"); and DISAPPROVED FOR AIRING ON TELEVISION ("X"). In classifying a television program, the Board shall consider the treatment of the following factors: theme, violence, language, nudity, sex, horror, illegal drugs and other elements. HEDaTA

SECTION 2. Guidelines for Television Classification. Applying contemporary Filipino cultural values as standard, the following are the guidelines for television classification:

A. GENERAL PATRONAGE ("G") Suitable for all ages. Material for television, which in the judgment of the BOARD does not contain anything unsuitable for children.

A pictogram advisory accompanied by full-screen written and verbal advisory to the effect that the program is classified as "G" shall be broadcast for at least ten (10) seconds immediately before the opening credits of the particular television material. The text of the full-screen written advisory shall be written in font 15 of arial-narrow. The pictogram advisory showing a capital letter "G" written on a green box with an "General Patronage for All Viewers" at the bottom shall be clearly superimposed at the bottom right corner of the television screen throughout the entire showing of the program classified as such. The superimposed pictogram advisory shall be 45mm x 55mm in size. The suggested pictogram advisory and full-screen written and verbal advisory are as follows:

"ANG SUSUNOD NA PROGRAMA AY RATED "G".
ITO AY PUWEDE SA LAHAT NG MANONOOD."

B. PARENTAL GUIDANCE ("PG") Parental guidance suggested. Material for television, which, in the judgment of the BOARD, may contain some adult material that may be permissible for children to watch but only under the guidance and supervision of a parent or adult.

The "PG" classification advises parents to exercise parental responsibility in their children's viewing of the program. A pictogram advisory accompanied by full-screen written and verbal advisory to the effect that the program is classified as "Parental Guidance" shall be broadcast for at least ten (10) seconds immediately before the opening credits of the particular television material classified as such. The text of the full-screen written advisory shall be written in font 15 of arial-narrow. The pictogram advisory showing a capital letter "PG" written on a blue box with an "Parental Guidance for Young Viewers" at the bottom shall be clearly superimposed at the bottom right corner of the television screen throughout the entire showing of the program classified as such. The superimposed pictogram advisory shall be 45mm x 55mm in size. The suggested pictogram advisory and full-screen written and verbal advisory are as follows: ITScHa

"ANG SUSUNOD NA PROGRAMA AY RATED
"PG".ITO AY NANGANGAILANGAN NANG
PATNUBAY AT GABAY NG MAGULANG
PARA SA MGA BATANG MANONOOD."

The television program classified as "PG" must, in the judgment of the Board, meet the following criteria:

1. THEME More serious issues may be tackled but the treatment must be suitable to children below thirteen (13) years old.

2. LANGUAGE Very mild swear words only shall be allowed. Use of a strong expletive in a sexual context, or sexually-based expletives shall not be allowed. Neither shall prolonged and/or successive use of expletives be allowed.

3. NUDITY Occasional natural nudity, with no sexual activity, is permissible.

4. SEX Graphic depiction of sexual activity shall not be permitted. Sexual activity may be implied but with no details shown.

5. VIOLENCE There should be no glamorization of weapons and crimes. No detail of fighting or other dangerous techniques. No detail or prolonged showing of violence or suffering. There should be a redeeming social value at the end.

6. HORROR Scary sequences must be mild and brief.

7. DRUGS There may only be implied depiction of prohibited drugs and/or substances or their use provided it does not condone, encourage or glamorize drug and/or substance use and it should be necessary to the theme and characterization.

C. STRONG PARENTAL GUIDANCE ("SPG") Stronger and more vigilant parental guidance is suggested. Programs classified "SPG" may contain more adult topic and theme, which may not be advisable for children to watch except under the vigilant guidance and presence of a parent or adult.

The "SPG" classification warns parents to exercise greater parental responsibility in their children's viewing of the program. A pictogram advisory accompanied by full-screen written and verbal advisory to the effect that the program is classified as "Strong Parental Guidance" shall be broadcast for at least ten (10) seconds immediately before the opening credits of the particular television material classified as such. The text of the full-screen written advisory shall be written in font 15 of arial-narrow. The pictogram advisory showing a capital letter "SPG" written on a red box with an "Strong Parental Guidance For Young Viewers" at the bottom shall be clearly superimposed at the bottom right corner of the television screen throughout the entire showing of the program classified as such. The superimposed pictogram advisory shall be 45mm x 55mm in size. DcSACE

Midway in the full showing of the particular television material classified as "SPG",the pictogram advisory and the full screen written and verbal advisory shall again be shown on screen in the same way as in the opening credits.

The suggested pictogram advisory and full-screen written and verbal advisory are as follows:

"ANG SUSUNOD NA PROGRAMA AY RATED
"SPG".ITO AY NANGANGAILANGAN NANG
"STRIKTONG" PATNUBAY AT GABAY NG
MAGULANG DAHIL SA MGA SENSITIBONG
TEMA AT EKSENA NA HINDI ANGKOP
SA MGA BATA."

The Board shall announce the actual implementation of "SPG" and its guidelines after the completion of a public awareness campaign.

D. DISAPPROVED FOR AIRING ON TELEVISION ("X") Any television program that does not conform to the "G","PG" or "SPG" classification shall be disapproved for television broadcast. The material shall be disapproved for television broadcast if, in the judgment of the Board applying contemporary Filipino cultural values as standard, it is objectionable for being immoral, indecent, contrary to law and/or good customs, injurious to the prestige of the Republic of the Philippines or its people, or with a dangerous tendency to encourage the commission of violence, or of a wrong, or crime, such as but not limited to:

1. The work depicts in a patently lewd, offensive, or demeaning manner, excretory functions, and sexual conduct such as sexual intercourse, masturbation and exhibition of the genitals.

2. The work clearly constitutes an attack against any race, creed or religion.

3. The work condones or encourages the use of illegal drugs and substances.

4. The work tends to undermine the faith and confidence of the people in their government and/or duly constituted authorities.

5. The work glorifies criminals or condones crimes.

6. The work is libelous or defamatory to the good name and reputation of any person, whether living or dead.

7. The work may constitute contempt of court of a quasi-judicial tribunal, or may pertain to matters, which are sub-judice in nature. TCEaDI

CHAPTER IV

Administrative Sanctions

SECTION 1. Any violation of this Memorandum Circular shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Section 11 of

CHAPTER V

Separability Clause

SECTION 1. If for any reason any provision of this Circular is declared invalid or illegal, the other sections or provisions thereof shall not be affected and shall remain in full force.

CHAPTER VI

Effectivity

SECTION 1. These Implementing Rules and Regulations shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following their publication in a newspaper of general circulation and filed with the Administrative Registrar in the University of the Philippines Law Center, as required under the

APPROVED by the

Submitted and certified correct by:

ATTY. GABRIELLA R. CONCEPCION
Board Member
Chairperson,

Noted by:

MARY GRACE POE LLAMANZARES
Chairperson

EMMANUEL H. BORLAZA
Vice Chairperson