Manila city council bans showing of 'Da Vinci Code'

The Manila city council on Thursday moved to ban the showing of the controversial film “The Da Vinci Code" in all theaters in the city. In a resolution signed by all city councilors, Manila adopted the twin resolution filed by Councilors Rolando Valeriano and Benjamin Asilo, who both claimed that “The Da Vinci Code" was “offensive to the established beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church." The city council also authorized Mayor Lito Atienza to stop the showing of the movie, which premiered worldwide on Thursday. “The Da Vinci Code" was rated “R" (restricted) rating, or strictly for adults, by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). Manila is one of 17 cities and municipalities that comprise Metro Manila. Valeriano said in his authored resolution that the film “violates not only the Constitutional provision on freedom of exercise of religion, but also Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code which states that it is a crime to exhibit films which offend a religion." For his part, Asilo cited Manila city erdinance no. 7780, which prohibits the showing of obscene and immoral movies, including those that are contrary to morals, good customs, religious beliefs, principles or doctrines. He said the mall owners and theater owners in Manila could be imprisoned to one year or pay a fine of P5,000 in violating the ordinance. “Those persons who will be caught selling DVDs and VCDs of the Da Vinci Code will likewise be penalized to an imprisonment of six months or a fine ranging from P1,000 to P3,000" Asilo said. Manila Vice Mayor Danilo Lacuna ordered the city’s business promotions and development office (BPDO) to provide movie theaters and malls a copy of the resolution. -GMANews.TV