MTRCB says Erap DVD ‘undermines’ gov’t

Scenes from the documentary on the life and times of former President Joseph Estrada may weaken the people’s faith in the government, thus earning it an "X" rating, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) said yesterday.

MTRCB is particularly concerned about scenes of Estrada’s "ouster" in "Ang Buhay Para sa Masa (To Live for the Masses)."

"The scenes from his ouster, in our opinion, may undermine the faith and confidence of the people in their government and/or our duly constituted authority as the law provides," said MTRCB Chairwoman Ma. Consoliza Laguardia in a letter to the film’s producer.

Laguardia wrote Rey David, president of Public Perception Management Asia Inc. that they found the documentary unsuitable for public viewing.

The letter, a copy of which was obtained by The STAR, said the film was previewed by the board on Aug. 22. The story narrates the life of the former president from childhood, his school days, his movie career and entry into politics until the time he was charged with plunder and detained.

The MTRCB has given the film producer five days from receipt of the notice to appeal for a second review.

"A second review is highly recommended as soon as possible," Laguardia said.

Lawyer Rufus Rodriguez, who is representing the producer, said there was nothing in it that would tend to undermine the government.

Rodriguez pointed out that the depicted events — like the "Hello, Garci" wiretapping controversy, the fertilizer fund scam and other scandals that hit the Arroyo administration — were all covered by the media and were public knowledge.

"The scenes after the ouster of former President Estrada were actual events so how can it undermine the government?" he argued.

Rodriguez assailed what he called an attempt by the MTRCB to railroad the second viewing of the film. As of yesterday, they have not yet filed an appeal.

Estrada’s son, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada suspected politics played a role in the MTRCB’s rating.

The younger Estrada, a movie actor like his father, said Malacañang only fears that "the truth will finally come out" with the release of the documentary.

"That’s not black propaganda. It features the life story of President Erap (Estrada’s nickname) and how he became president," the senator stressed.

"Nandoon ang lahat ng buhay niya nang mag-artista siya, mga film clips niya, samahan nila ni FPJ, tapos noong maging mayor siya, mga projects niya sa San Juan hanggang sa pagiging senador, vice president at president," he said, noting his father’s closeness to FPJ, or Fernando Poe Jr., also an actor who challenged Mrs. Arroyo in the May 2004 presidential election, but lost.

"Wala namang bold dun," Jinggoy added, referring to the X rating that is similarly given to controversial bold movies that are banned from public showing.

"Eh ‘di ipamigay natin yung CDs sa mga tao. Wala namang bawal doon at saka hindi naman pirated yun," he said if the MTRCB blocks public showing of the documentary. — Perseus Echeminada, Christina Mendez