Senator Robin Padilla has called for the revival of a policy that banned television programs deemed violent or harmful to children during the martial law era, specifically citing the Japanese anime series ‘Voltes V’.
Padilla made the appeal in a Facebook post on Wednesday, August 19, following what he described as Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s confirmation of Republic Act No. 8294, which is informally referred to as the ‘Robin Padilla Law.’
The law amended Presidential Decree No. 1866, which imposed penalties for illegal possession and use of firearms.
Padilla said the government should also consider bringing back a measure implemented during the administration of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. to restrict television programs depicting violence.
He pointed to the Interim Board of Censors for Motion Pictures (IBCMP) Memorandum-Circular No. 13-79, issued on August 27, 1979, which ordered the immediate banning of ‘Voltes V’ and 14 other television programs featuring robots.
“Sa pamamagitan ng Interim Board of Censors for Motion Pictures (IBCMP) Memorandum-Circular No. 13-79 na ipinalabas noong Agosto 27, 1979, ipinag-utos ang agarang pagbabawal sa Voltes V at sa 14 iba pang palabas sa telebisyon na may temang robot,” Padilla said.
He noted that the circular cited the programs’ “nakasasamang epekto sa mga bata” and their “mala-digmaang” nature as reasons for the ban.
Padilla said such an approach could be considered in the context of the content currently accessible to young people through free television, social media, the internet, and other online entertainment platforms.
“Ibalik na rin po natin ang hakbang na ginawa ng aking idolo na si dating Pangulong Ferdinand Edralin Marcos Sr. (Apo Lakay) sa kanyang pagtugon sa mga karahasan na napapanood sa telebisyon, na maikukumpara ngayon sa mga palabas sa Free TV, social media, internet, o online entertainment,” he said.
The senator also expressed support for Remulla’s campaign against crime, saying that reviving what he described as the “kamay na bakal” approach of Marcos Sr. could be one way to address the issue.
“Naniniwala ako na seryoso ang ating SILG Jonvic Remulla sa kanyang kampanya laban sa krimen, at ang isang paraan upang magtagumpay ito ay ang muling pagbuhay sa ‘kamay na bakal’ ng aking idolo na si Apo Lakay Ferdinand Edralin Marcos Sr.,” Padilla said.
As of publication, no statement or response had been issued by the concerned government agencies regarding Padilla’s proposal.
