Camille Naredo

Senator Jinggoy Estrada speaks during the Senate hearing on Labor in Pasay City on May 10, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

Senator Jinggoy Estrada speaks during the Senate hearing on Labor in Pasay City on May 10, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Senate Hearing on Labor

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173436636113220230510-senate-hearing-labor-MD-16_embed.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Senator Jinggoy Estrada speaks during the Senate hearing on Labor in Pasay City on May 10, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File"/>Senator Jinggoy Estrada speaks during the Senate hearing on Labor in Pasay City on May 10, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File</div>MANILA — Actor turned Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada on Monday called out streaming service VMX (formerly Vivamax) for showing what he claims to be pornographic material as well as exploiting its performers with low wages.Estrada spoke out against the streaming platform in a privilege speech to the Senate.&quot;Vivamax, a subscription-based popular streaming service, has gained attention not for its meaningful and family-oriented content, but for inundating the digital space with films and shows filled with graphic, sexual, and exploitative material,” Estrada said.&quot;Bagama’t may mga comedy, drama, romance, horror movies at, concerts na mapapanood sa ilalim ng rebranded na streaming platform ng Viva Communications Inc. na kilala na ngayon na VMX, ang unang bubungad sa subscriber ay ang tinatawag nilang sexy contents,” he added.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/10/11/finalists-of-first-vmx-film-festival-to-be-given-p2m-grant-1022">READ: Finalists of first VMX Film Festival to be given P2M grant</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/9/3/mtrcb-says-it-cannot-regulate-online-content-1441">READ: MTRCB says it cannot regulate online content</a></div>Estrada is wary because the platform has become popular and is very easily accessible.&quot;This situation is even more concerning because many of these materials are easily accessible and may target younger audiences, who are more susceptible to influence,” Estrada said.&quot;A subscriber can gain access to their platform for P169 to P499 a month,” Estrada added.Estrada claimed the platform failed to abide by its commitment to self regulation when it was flagged by regulators for its content.&quot;Vivamax committed to ensure that the content on its platforms are aligned with contemporary Filipino cultural values, not objectionable for being immoral, indecent, contrary to law and or good customs, injurious to the prestige of the Republic or its people or with a dangerous tendency to encourage the commission of violence or of a wrong or crime,” he said.“Ngunit tila hindi tumutupad ang Vivamax sa kasunduang ito dahil sa isang monitoring na isinagawa ng MTRCB, lumalabas na mga pelikulang pang-streaming platform ng kumpanya ay nababagay lamang sa mga porn sites,” he added.Estrada recalled that Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) prohibits the distribution, exhibition, or sale of content deemed immoral, obscene, or indecent, covering literature, films, music, artworks, performances, plays, scenes, acts, and shows.Estrada also called the wages paid to performers on the platforms&#x27; allegedly pornographic content exploitative.&quot;Fifteen thousand pesos kada araw at sa loob ng dalawang araw ay makakagawa na sila ng isang full-length movie para sa streaming platform. Kaya hindi nakakapagtaka na madali silang makapag-produce ng ganitong klaseng sa loob ng maiksing panahon,&quot; Estrada also said.Estrada pointed out that the Philippines is a nation deeply rooted in moral values, family traditions, and respect for human dignity.&quot;While I acknowledge the importance of artistic freedom and creative expression, these should come with boundaries, especially when they begin to undermine our society&#x27;s moral fabric,” he said.Estrada maintained this is not a matter of censorship.“Wala po akong nakikitang redeeming values na mapupulot ang mga manonood kundi ang pagsilbihan ang mga tumatangkilik ng kalaswaan, kawalan ng respeto sa dignidad ng tao at pagkakitaan ang ganitong klase ng pelikulang ipinalalabas sa streaming platform,” he explained.Estrada stressed that the normalization of such content erodes the fundamental principles of respect, decency, and empathy, which are essential for individual well-being and social cohesion.&quot;As consumers of digital content, we must be vigilant and discerning about what we watch and share. Content creators must likewise recognize their responsibility in shaping public discourse and cultural norms,” Estrada said.ABS-CBN News has reached out to VMX for their comment on the issue but they have yet to reply.

Actor turned Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada called out streaming service VMX (formerly Vivamax) for showing what he claims to be pornographic material as well as exploiting its performers with low wages.

Actor turned Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada called out streaming service VMX (formerly Vivamax) for showing what he claims to be pornographic material as well as exploiting its performers with low wages.

Jinggoy hits VMX for alleged pornography, exploitation of performers

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Jinggoy hits VMX for alleged pornography, exploitation of performers

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 17, 2024 12:32 AM PHT

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