VRB chief vows war on film piracy

Immediately after administering the oath yesterday to movie actor Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. as the new chairman of the Videogram Regulatory Board (VRB), President Arroyo gave him his marching orders to stamp out film piracy.

Also sworn in was Marilen Dinglasan as the new chief of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.

Revilla, who lost in his re-election bid for governor of Cavite in May last year, took his new role in government service after the mandatory one-year ban on losing candidates had lapsed.

In a talk with reporters after the oath-taking rites, Revilla said the President directed him to go all out against film piracy.

"I’ll go after the pirates, especially the financiers, the big fish," he said.

He said he would certainly run against prominent and influential people in his crusade, indicating that he has the full support of Malacañang.

He rued that legitimate film producers used to come out with 150 titles a year, but this was reduced to only 40 by the illegal copying of movies in low-quality compact discs which are sold at a bargain in flea markets.

Vowing to vigorously push the campaign, Revilla said it is about time that legitimate industry players should regain the viability of their business.

Revilla’s father, Sen. Ramon Revilla Sr., was also a movie actor and producer before turning to politics.

On the reported plans of his father to field him as an administration bet in the 2004 senatorial elections, Revilla said he would rather stay out of politics and concentrate on his job at the VRB.

He counted on the support of his colleagues in the movie industry, as well as the local officials and the police in the drive against film piracy.–Marichu Villanueva