MANILA, Philippines — The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has issued a stern warning against the filmmaker behind the political film “Tatsulok” after discovering a falsified Permit to Exhibit (PTE) linked to the movie and its production company.
The MTRCB said Thursday that the film, produced by TanaJuan Pelikula Production, did not undergo the agency’s review and classification process and had no valid PTE when it was screened during its Aug. 21 premiere.
“The use of a falsified Permit to Exhibit is a serious violation. No producer or filmmaker may bypass the MTRCB’s review and classification process through fabricated or unauthorized documents,” MTRCB Chairperson and CEO Lala Sotto said in a statement.
According to the MTRCB, the falsified permit was discovered during the film’s Aug. 21 premiere after Board Member Ma. Cecilia Villarosa noticed that her name had been listed as one of the purported reviewers, which the agency said was untrue.
Further scrutiny found that another board member’s name was misspelled and that the document did not bear the MTRCB’s official dry seal, the agency said.
The MTRCB also noted that the purported permit was issued on a date when government work had reportedly been suspended because of flooding.
The agency said its records showed that “Tatsulok” had not undergone review and classification and that TanaJuan Pelikula Production was not registered with the MTRCB.
“The MTRCB is pursuing the appropriate proceedings against TanaJuan Pelikula Production, subject to due process,” the agency said.
The board also reminded individuals and entities involved in regulated activities in the movie and television industry that they are required to register with the agency.
The MTRCB called on cinemas to independently verify every PTE before allowing a film to be screened.
Meanwhile, Gateway Cinemas also issued a notice to the public Thursday, saying Gateway Cineplex 18 is “not associated” with TanaJuan Pelikula and its planned public screening of “Tatsulok.”
The cinema operator said the film would not be shown across its cinemas following the controversy over the planned Aug. 29 screening at Cinema 11.
The notice came after promotional materials for “Tatsulok” advertised a screening at Gateway Cinema 11. A separate premiere poster for the film also promoted its Aug. 21 premiere at the venue.
Gateway Cinemas’ statement makes clear that it is distancing itself from the film’s production and its planned public screening.
Director Johhny Bobier, meanwhile, released his own statement regarding the cancellation of the Aug. 29 screening.
Bobier said “Tatsulok” had officially premiered on Aug. 21 at Wolfgang Cinema at Gateway Mall 2 in Araneta City.
He said the film had generated significant public attention since its premiere, with audiences responding to its themes involving injustice, inequality and institutional failure.
Bobier acknowledged the cancellation of the scheduled Aug. 29 public screening, saying it would no longer proceed under the current arrangement following confirmation from the venue.
He also claimed that the screening had been discussed and agreed upon by TanaJuan Pelikula and Gateway Cineplex 18 on Aug. 17.
“The cancellation of a screening does not cancel the message of a film,” Bobier said in his statement.
“Tatsulok” was written and directed by Bobier and features Emilio Gatialco, Kian Vicente, Vean Cancino, Abelle Manalansan, Russ Mesia and Earl Quintana, among others.
