Rachel: MTRCB needs no ‘fixing’

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

The MTRCB (Movie and Television Review & Classification Board) that she now heads is so well in place that newly-appointed chairwoman Rachel Arenas sees no need of changing anything about it.

“The programs and projects of the past MTRCB board are in place,” said Rachel when she met with the movie press recently, her first-ever such meeting since she assumed office barely a month ago. “The programs and projects were planned by the previous board very well. Magaganda naman, so bakit babaguhin? I respect the wisdom of the previous board.”

One of the programs was the introduction of the SPG rating (Strong Parental Guidance/Striktong Patnubay at Gabay) which was first created by then chairman and now-Sen. Grace Poe who quit as chairman when she ran for senator in 2013 and replaced by lawyer Toto Villarreal who was succeeded by Rachel.

“The SPG rating will have to stay,” insisted Rachel, but she would ask Congress to amend PD1986, authored by Justice Lolong Lazaro, that created the agency in 1986.

“The MTRCB needs some updating,” said Rachel, the 15th and seventh woman to head the agency. 

Among the recommendations is to empower the MTRCB to regulate video games, according to Rachel who got bashed when she was misquoted by a provincial press that she would regulate Netflix.

 “I was interviewed on a radio in Pangasinan what I intended to do with pirated DVDs and I said that the authority is not with the MTRCB but with the OMB (Optical Media Board). I was also asked about cable TV channels and I never said that I would regulate them. What I said was that they should practice self-regulation and be more prudent with the shows and movies that they are showing.”

Rachel had served three terms as representative of the 3rd District of Pangasinan before her mom, philanthropist Rosemarie “Baby” Arenas, replaced her. Rachel has also been serving as governor of the Red Cross for 15 years, and will continue to help the Red Cross and those of her mom’s charity projects.

“I inherited my mom’s charitable heart,” confessed Rachel who made Baby A smile from the sidelines of a function room of Annabel’s restaurant on Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City, where the presscon was held. Baby A came with Teng brothers Jeric and Jeron who are supporting the mother-and-daughter’s pro-poor advocacy.

“That’s how I met Pres. DU30. I used to accompany my mom on her trips to Davao for her charity projects when Duterte was mayor of the city.”

Having served under three presidents (Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Noynoy Aquino), Rachel said she is proud of her years as a government official.

“It’s a privilege to be working under my fourth president,” confirmed Rachel.

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