Guidelines for the Strong Parental Guidance (SPG) Classification Rating

December 1, 2011

MTRCB MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 012-11

GUIDELINES FOR THE STRONG PARENTAL GUIDANCE (SPG) CLASSIFICATION RATING

WHEREAS, the Constitution has imposed the sacred obligation and responsibility on the State to provide protection to the youth against illegal or improper activities which may prejudice their general well-being.

WHEREAS, the welfare of the children and the State's mandate to protect and care for them, as parens patriae, constitute a substantial and compelling government interest in regulating content of television broadcast.

WHEREAS, the best interests of children shall be the paramount consideration in all activities, actions, and proceedings concerning them, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities, and legislative bodies, consistent with the principle of First Call for Children, as enunciated in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

WHEREAS, the government has to balance the interest of the State to protect and promote the development and welfare of the youth with the interest of the broadcast industry to full enjoyment of the freedom of speech vis-à-vis the self-regulatory schemes undertaken by the different broadcast networks.

NOW, therefore, pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 05-2011 in relation to Section 3 (a) of Presidential Decree No. 1986, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board ("BOARD") hereby enacts and promulgates the following rules and guidelines for the proper implementation of the Strong Parental Guidance (SPG) classification rating for television programs, as follows: STcHDC

Strong Parental Guidance ("SPG") — Stronger and more vigilant parental guidance is suggested. Programs classified "SPG" may contain more serious topic and theme, which may not be advisable for children to watch except under the very vigilant guidance and presence of a parent or adult.

The "SPG" classification warns parents to exercise greater parental responsibility in their children's viewing of the program. The television program classified as "SPG" must still fall within the parameters of the existing Parental Guidance classification rating. However, to merit the issuance of an "SPG" rating, the gravity of the material must, in the judgment of the Board, be leaning towards the maximum allowable for Parental Guidance rating. In determining the proper classification rating, the Board shall consider the purpose, genre, and time slot of the program as well as the treatment and depiction of attendant factors such as, but not limited to: Theme (Tema), Violence (Karahasan), Drugs (Droga), Language (Lenggwahe), Sex (Sekswal), and Horror (Katatakutan).

In the exercise of its judgment, the Board shall take due consideration of balancing the interest of the State to protect the welfare of the youth with the interest of the broadcast networks to freedom of expression.

A pictogram advisory accompanied by a full-screen written advisory with voice over to the effect that the program is classified as "Strong Parental Guidance" shall be broadcast for at least twenty (20) seconds immediately before the opening credits and midway in the full airing of the particular television material classified as such. The full-screen advisory shall specifically declare the content descriptors pertinent to the program being shown, such as but not limited to: Theme (Tema), Violence (Karahasan), Drugs (Droga), Language (Lenggwahe), Sex (Sekswal), and Horror (Katatakutan).

The pictogram advisory showing the capital letters "SPG" written on a red box with the phrase "Strong Parental Guidance Striktong Patnubay at Gabay" at the bottom shall be clearly superimposed at the bottom right corner of the television screen throughout the entire showing of the program classified as such. As the need may arise, the superimposed pictogram may be placed in other part of the television screen provided it is not done too often. The text in the pictogram of the phrase "Strong Parental Guidance Striktong Patnubay at Gabay" shall be written in font ten (10) of arial-narrow solid white with black outline. The superimposed pictogram advisory shall be 32.5mm x 19.05mm in size.

Until further revised by the Board, the suggested pictogram advisory and full-screen advisory with voice over in Filipino are as follows: ASEcHI

Prescribed Pictogram Advisory:

FOR OPENING AND MIDWAY CREDITS:

"ANG PROGRAMANG ITO AY RATED 'SPG'.

'STRIKTONG PATNUBAY AT GABAY

Any violation of this Memorandum Circular shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Section 11 of P.D. 1986 and Chapter XIII of its 2004 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations. If any provision of this Circular is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the unaffected sections or provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect.

This Circular shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in a newspaper of general circulation and filed with the Office of the National Administrative Register in the University of the Philippines Law Center, as required under the Administrative Code of 1987.

Recommending Approval:

Adopted: December 1, 2011

(SGD.) ATTY. GABRIELA R. CONCEPCIONBoard Member

Noted by:

(SGD.) MARY GRACE POE LLAMANZARESChairperson

(SGD.) EMMANUEL H. BORLAZAVice-Chairperson

Published in the National Administrative Register, Vol. 23, Book 1, p. 478.