National Movement Against Pornography
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A N T I - P O R N O G R A P H Y   &   O B S C E N I T Y   L A W S,   D E C R E E S,   O R D E R S,   C O D E S

1987 Constitution
Article II, Sec. 12
"The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception. The natural and primary right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the development of moral character shall receive the support of the Government."
Revised Penal Code
Articles 200-201 [As amended
by PD Nos. 960 and 969]
The Penal Code imposes penalties against those who offend decency and good customs.
Title Six
CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC MORALS
X X X
Chapter Two
OFFENSES AGAINST DECENCY AND GOOD CUSTOMS

Art. 200. Grave scandal. — The penalties of arresto mayor and public censure shall be imposed upon any person who shall offend against decency or good customs by any highly scandalous conduct not expressly falling within any other article of this Code.

Art. 201. Immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions and indecent shows. — The penalty of prision mayor or a fine ranging from six thousand to twelve thousand pesos, or both such imprisonment and fine, shall be imposed upon:
(1) Those who shall publicly expound or proclaim doctrines openly contrary to public morals;
(2) (a) the authors of obscene literature, published with their knowledge in any form; the editors publishing such literature; and the owners/operators of the establishment selling the same;
  (b) Those who, in theaters, fairs, cinematographs or any other place, exhibit, indecent or immoral plays, scenes, acts or shows, whether live or in film, which are prescribed by virtue hereof, shall include those which (1) glorify criminals or condone crimes; (2) serve no other purpose but to satisfy the market for violence, lust or pornography; (3) offend any race or religion; (4) tend to abet traffic in and use of prohibited drugs; and (5) are contrary to law, public order, morals, and good customs, established policies, lawful orders, decrees and edicts;
(3) Those who shall sell, give away or exhibit films, prints, engravings, sculpture or literature which are offensive to morals.

P.D. 1986
CREATING THE MOVIE AND TELEVISION REVIEW AND CLASSIFICATION BOARD (MTRCB). [FULL]
1997 MTRCB Rules & Regulations
Section 6 authorized the MTRCB to "delete scenes and disapprove film prints which are immoral, indecent, contrary to law and good customs ..."
Section 7 defined pornography, enumerating obscene and pornographic scenes.
1998 MTRCB Rules & Regulations
MTRCB Chair Armida Siguion-Reyna revised the 1997 Rules by deleting the anti-pornography provisions therefrom. Chapter III of the previous Rules was revised and Sections 6 & 7 totally expunged. The 1998 Rules discarded the MTRCB's censorship powers and reduced it to a classification body.
The validity of Siguion-Reyna's 1998 rules is questionable in the light of Article 7 of the Civil Code, which says that "Administrative or executive acts, orders and regulations shall be valid only when they are not contrary to the laws or the constitution."
Human Rights Advisory:
Pornography and Obscenity

CHR-A-04-99
For the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), movies that exhibit naked bodies of women and explicit sexual acts are not only "offensive", they are a violation of human rights. The CHR position paper was submitted to the House Committee on Human Rights. CHR Chair Aurora Navarrete-Reciña says that bold movies treat women as "non-human beings" or as objects of exploitation, "a complete violation of their dignity". Commissioner Nasser Marohomsalic added that the commercialization of women in the movies constitutes discrimination against women. [FULL]
The Radio Code
Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP)
H. SEX AND VIOLENCE
x x x
7. Explicit sexual acts or sex perversion of any kind must never be presented. [Listen to 666 AM band in their afternoon soap operas.]

8. Crime, violence, sex and all matters related to these must be treated with the greatest care and good taste.

9. The use of objectionable words, actions and similar manifestations which are obscene, blasphemous, profane or vulgar shall not be allowed."

I. DRAMA PROGRAMMING
x x x
3. Drama programs must accentuate positive moral and social values.
x x x
L. MUSIC
x x x
15. All radio stations shall desist from playing records with contents that run counter with the Filipino moral and religious values.
x x x
P. GENERAL PROGRAM STANDARDS
x x x
9. Programs shall not use dialogue, actions and other similar manifestations which are obscene, blasphemous, profane or vulgar.
x x x
11. The use of objectionable words and phrases, or word which have acquired undesirable or offensive implications should be avoided."
The Television Code
Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP)
GENERAL PROGRAM STANDARDS
x x x
10. Programs shall not use dialogues, actions and other similar manifestations which are obscene, blasphemous, profane or vulgar.

11. Ad-libs/spiels/Scripts/Languages

a. Coarse, vulgar jokes which may offend the sensibilities of the audience and the viewers shall be taboo. Included in the category of vulgar jokes are off-color jokes or double entendre (double meaning) jokes.
x x x
12. Dance Sequence/Skits

Good taste should prevail in the presentation of skits and dance numbers. Thus, care should be taken that dancers or performers are properly attired.

Extreme close-ups of the human anatomy shall be done in good taste.

13. Attires and Decorum

All hosts/emcees/casts/regular on-air personalities should be properly dressed for their program taking into account not only what is fashionable but also what is decent and proper for the medium.

Performers in programs should always observe decency and proper decorum and shall not be allowed to perform under the influence of drugs or liquor.

RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS CHILDREN

x x x
6. Children’s programs should portray respect for adult authority, law and order, good moral and clean, healthful living. Consideration should also be given to the development in children of good manners, a sense of responsibility, a correct concept of courage opposed to the fantasy they see in some cartoon characters.
x x x
10. Children’s programs shall not emphasize perverted sex and undue violence.
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