Solon files resolution vs negative portrayal of lawmakers in films, telenovelas

Published February 20, 2012 1:45pm

A lawmaker has filed a resolution appealing to the entertainment industry to stop portraying members of the House of Representatives as villains and crooks in movies and telenovelas.

In House Resolution 2140, Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. said it is “unfair” for House members to be often portrayed negatively in these forms of entertainment.

“These negative typecastings influence the general public, especially the young children, into forming a negative impression about the members of the House of Representatives,” Gonzales said.

He added that the negative portrayal “sully the good name of honorable congressmen and congresswomen who work hard for the welfare of their constituents.”

Gonzales likewise said the House can only appeal to members of entertainment industry to stop such actions, since they have the right to freedom of speech and of expression.

The resolution is currently pending before the House committee on public information. After approval of at the committee level, the House will vote whether or not to adopt the resolution. Against freedom of expression?

But MTRCB chairmperson Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares said the resolution goes against freedom of expression and freedom of speech, which is guaranteed by the 1987 Constitution.

"Kahit na ang isang resolusyon ay walang lakas ng batas dahil hindi naman ito pinipirmahan ng pangulo, maaaring maging basehan ito ng ibang bagay sa kalayunan," Llamanzares said in an interview on Balitanghali on Monday.

She said that film and television should mirror real life. "Papaano na ngayon kung ang ibang sektor ay humirit, katulad ng sektor ng mga pulis o sektor ng mga guro? Papaano na lang, lahat na lang kailangan ay mabait sa mga pelikula at sa mga telenovela? Alam naman natin sa lipunan na hindi naman lahat ng tao ay mabait."

Llamanzares said that while members of Congress would of course want to protect themselves, such a resolution would not be good for the film and television industry. "Sa tingin ko naman ay isipin natin ang implikasyon nito sa buong industriya," she said. — Andreo Calonzo and Carmela Lapeña/RSJ, GMA News

Tags: mtrcb, aureliogonzalesjr