Malacañang and the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) yesterday shot down  a  resolution of a lawmaker of Pampanga to ban filmmakers from typecasting  solons in movies and television as crooks.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the resolution filed by Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. in his House Resolution 2140 may infringe on the freedom of expression clause in our Constitution.

“We cannot impose our will on the filmmakers, “ Lacierda said, pointing out on the dictum of free expression.

“There’s a free expression here. It’s a resolution, they urge filmmakers not to paint them in a bad light. It will be up to the film producers or directors to do so. We cannot impose our will. The House can only urge them to portray them as they would like them to be portrayed.  But again, that’s beyond us. We cannot impose our will on the filmmakers,” Lacierda said.

For her part, Grace Poe Llamanzares said the resolution by Gonzales has “a chilling effect of indirectly restraining the right of the public to know the acts of their government and to hold their leaders accountable.”

“It is beyond the authority of the Board to prohibit an idea or concept until such is translated into a motion picture or television program that transgresses legal provisions. An act that determines what the public may be permitted to know or to watch could be interpreted as a species of prior restraint,” Poe Llamanzares said in a press statement.

In her emailed thoughts to Tonight on the issue, Poe Llamanzares said.

“HR 2140 is alarming and worrisome at the least. Even if a house resolution does not have the force of the law, a passed resolution is an official stand of congress, which is undeniably a powerful branch of government that can set precedents.HR 2140 goes against Freedom of expression and speech which are enshrined in our constitution’s  bill of rights.

The very foundation of our democracy. Although it is the right of members of congress to safeguard their reputation and welfare, their primary responsibility is to  to uphold the constitutional rights of the public.HR 2140  is too specific and exclusive in favoring a specific sector or group which in this case are the members of the house of representatives alone. What about other sectors of society like the law enforcement groups or those belonging to the judiciary and executive branches. If such a resolution  is upheld, a domino effect will take place , the implication of which will undoubtedly justify censorship..”

“Perhaps it has become noticeable to many, that the villains are usually the same in real and reel life,” the MTRCB chief said.

Earlier, Gonzales urges producers in his resolution  “not to create stereotypes or negative public perception against members of the House of Representatives.”