Erap bioflick subject to MTRCB review, CA rules

MANILA, Philippines – The Court of Appeals ruled that the life documentary of deposed President Joseph Estrada be subject to the review of the Movie and Television and Classification Board (MTRCB) for its alleged subversive content. In a 13-page decision penned by Associate Justice Arcangelita Romilla-Lontok, the CA’s 12th Division junked the petition of the Public Perception Management Asia (Publikasia), the documentary’s producer, to exempt “Ang Mabuhay Para sa Masa (To Live for the Masses)" from the MTRCB’s review. “Petitioners are still mandated to recognize the legality of the transfer of power from former President Estrada to President Arroyo and reflect the same in the film. The balancing factor in the form of replies by personalities defamed should likewise be integrated in the film as part thereof," the appellate court ruled. The CA’s decision affirmed MTRCB’s order and the resolution of the Office of the President banning the showing of Estrada’s film biography for failing to provide a balanced portrayal of personalities involved in the removal of Estrada from his post in 2001. The appellate court ruled that exhibition of the film on television “will create undue prejudice" to the personalities involved in the transfer of power to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2001. The appellate court likewise upheld MTRCB’s findings that the film is not a newsreel or straight news reporting as claimed by Publikasia. The MTRCB had earlier said the film is unsuitable for airing or showing due to its subversive content. Ang Mabuhay Para sa Masa The first three portions of “Ang Mabuhay Para sa Masa (To Live for the Masses)" are narrations of Estrada’s life as a young boy, as a movie actor and as a politician. But the CA said the fourth part entitled “People Power" consisted of analysis, commentaries, and conclusions of the producer or narrator. The appellate court likewise said that a portion of the film “Power Grab" connoted an illegal seizure of power by incumbent President Arroyo – a portrayal countering the Supreme Court’s ruling that the transfer of power to then Vice President Arroyo in 2001 was legal. Based on the film’s insinuations that there was unified action to overthrow Estrada, the CA also said the film “might even qualify as libelous and defamatory." The CA added that even if Sandiganbayan has ruled Estrada’s plunder case with finality and even if the former President was subsequently pardoned by Malacañang, the film should not be exempt from MTRCB’s and Malacañang conditions. - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV