Content creator and actress Toni Fowler recently released the music video of her song “MPL”, which also featured the artist Freshbreed. The song, which was written and performed by Toni herself, dropped a day after her emotional TV guesting on It’s Showtime. 

READ: Toni Fowler gets teary-eyed as she returns to ‘It’s Showtime’

However, many eyebrows were raised at the sexual nature of the song itself, and even more so at the content of the music video. Some called her out for releasing such a risqué music video, finding it inappropriate especially for the youth. On the other hand, there were still some who continue to support her and admire her for being feisty.

READ: Toni Fowler on her song ‘MPL’: ‘Hindi po ‘yun para sa lahat’

“MPL” shocked viewers to the point that the attention of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MRTCB) was called. They received quite a number of complaints against the vulgar message and visuals of the said song. People couldn’t believe that the video was approved by the censorship board and just given the the rating of SPG or Strong Parental Guidance. Under this rating, it would mean that it can be viewed by minors given that there is parental supervision.

MTRCB has now released an official statement debunking these allegations.

“In an online article published by Bandera, one of the personalities that appeared therein, Ms. Papi Galang, was quoted alleging that the song ‘MPL’ and its music video was rated as STRONG PARENTAL GUIDANCE (SPG),” began their statement.

The censorship board clarified that, contrary to allegations,  they were not given the opportunity to check it before its release on various streaming platforms. Had it gone through them, they would have given it an X rating, and tagged “Not for Public Exhibition”.

“The MTRCB wishes to inform the public that ‘MPL’ did not undergo MTRCB review and classification, hence, it was not given any rating by the Board,” they stated. 

That being said, the MTRCB also called out Ms. Galang and reminded her and her publication to check out their facts, lest they mislead the public and inadvertently imply that MTRCB is less stringent in their censorship processes. 

“We appeal to Ms. Galang, to be circumspect in her statements, and for news organizations such as Bandera to practice responsible journalism by fact-checking their reports before publication,” continued MTRCB. “as the public may be led to believe that the MTRCB had given its highest allowable rating for airing content on television to the said material.”

Likewise, MTRCB also reminded viewers of their right to flag content that they believe is inappropriate. Inasmuch as they support the artist’s creativity, they also assured the public that they have avenues that they can explore to make a stand or air their sentiments, such as the option to report content directly to the streaming platforms. 

“We are working on proposed amendments to our charter that is both fair to the creative industry and mindful of the needs of the Filipino viewing public,” ended MTRCB’s official statement on the issue.