MMDA welcomes House probe on 'Honor Thy Father' DQ

MANILA, Philippines - Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Emerson Carlos, who also is the chair of the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) has welcomed the reported congressional inquiry into the disqualification of the film “Honor Thy Father” from being nominated in the best picture category for this year’s film festival.

“Right nila 'yun (that is their right),” Carlos said in a text message when reached for his comment.

Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez earlier said he would be filing an urgent resolution calling for a congressional inquiry into the disqualification of the film by the MMFF organizers led by the MMDA.

The House committee on Metro Manila development, chaired by Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo, is expected to lead the probe.

Castelo said he expects some of the actors in Honor Thy Father to accompany him in filing the resolution.

Directed by Erik Matti and co-produced by actor John Lloyd Cruz, Honor Thy Father was not included in the MMFF lineup of official entries released by the MMFF executive committee.

Last October 23, the MMFF executive committee offered to Ronald Stephen Monteverde, producer of the film, the slot that became available after an official festival entry pulled out of the race.

The film was among the official entries when the MMFF opened on Dec. 25. But the following day, Monteverde reportedly received a letter from the MMFF informing him that the executive committee has ruled to disqualify the film from the selection of the Best Picture Category of the MMFF 2015 Awards due to non-disclosure of the film’s showing at CinemaOne.