THE Senate of the Philippines, under the leadership of Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, has approved the proposed 2026 budget of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) on Monday, November 24.
MTRCB Chairperson and CEO Lala Sotto expressed the Board’s appreciation to the Senate for its continued support for the Agency’s goal of protecting Filipino viewers and promoting the interests of the nation’s film and television industry.
“On behalf of the Board, I thank the Senate for its unwavering support and confidence in the work that we do. This approval strengthens our commitment to protect audiences, especially Filipino children, uphold responsible and age-appropriate viewing, and continue empowering the film and television industry,” said Sotto.
“We remain dedicated to serving the public with integrity, accountability and a deep sense of responsibility,” she added.
The Board also thanked Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, who sponsored and presented the MTRCB budget before the Senate plenary.
In his sponsorship remarks, Estrada underscored the importance of adequately supporting the Agency’s initiatives.
“This will enhance the work productivity of the employees and allow the agency to fulfill its mandate to the public,” Estrada said.
The Board’s budget
After Estrada’s presentation, the Senate registered no interpellations, reflecting full confidence in the MTRCB’s direction, leadership and ongoing reforms.
With no objections raised, the proposed 2026 budget was deemed submitted for the chamber’s consideration.
The approval of the MTRCB budget guarantees the continuation of its priority programs, including the nationwide “Responsableng Panonood” campaign, monitoring systems and expanded partnerships with industry stakeholders, local government units, schools and community organizations.
Despite the limitations in manpower and resources, the Board rated and classified a total of 267,090 materials in 2024, and nearly 150,000 materials from January to October 2025.
This figure highlights the Board’s dedication to ensuring the proper classification of media content in a rapidly growing entertainment landscape.
“With the support of both the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines, we are ready to strengthen our mandate and continue our advocacy for responsible viewing,” said Sotto.