MTRCB seizes flashdrive with 'unrated' videos at bus terminal inspection

Published March 25, 2013 4:52pm

The Movie and Television Ratings and Classification Board (MTRCB) on Monday seized a flash drive containing movies and caught at least one bus showing "unrated" video material during inspections of bus terminals as the Holy Week exodus peaked.

In posts on its Twitter account, the MTRCB said Chairman Eugenio Villareal led board members in inspecting the buses and conducting an information drive.

"(A) Baliwag Transit driver voluntarily surrendered (a) flash drive containing movies," it said.

The MTRCB also said it caught buses "with unrated video material" during the inspection drive.

According to the MTRCB, the inspections were meant to enforce the "until PG only" rule for video entertainment aboard buses.

Videos rated no higher than "Parental Guidance" can be shown aboard buses.

On Monday, bus terminal managers expected the exodus to the provinces to peak starting Monday, as Filipinos flock to the provinces to spend Holy Week with their families.

The MTRCB said it inspected the Genesis Bus transport terminal, Baliwag Bus terminal, Araneta Bus Terminal, and Peñafrancia Bus and Cul Transport.

Fines, franchise cancellations

A separate report on dzBB radio said the MTRCB also warned bus companies of hard sanctions if their units are caught with banned videos.

The report quoted Villareal as saying bus firms whose units were caught showing videos rated higher than PG face a fine of P20,000 on the first offense.

The second offense may result in the cancellation of their franchises, he said. — TJD, GMA News

Tags: mtrcb, bus, provincialbus, flashdrive, videos