MTRCB vs.

ABS-CBN and Loren Legarda

- On October 15 1991 ABS-CBN Aired “Prosti-tuition” which is an

episode of the TV Program “The Inside Story” which is produced
and hosted by Loren Legarda.
- The said episode showed female students who were
moonlighting as prostitutes as means to pay their tuition fee
- Apparently, some students and faculty members were
interviewed for the said episode
- Some of those who were interviewed were identified with the
Philippine Women’s University (PWU)
- Adding to it, the background of the episode used the façade of
the PWU campus located at Taft Avenue, Manila
- Because of the said episode, the PWU community filed a
complaint with MTRCB, alleging that the said episode caused
disgrace to PWU and to its female students more specifically
- The MTRCB Legal Counsel initiated a formal complaint with the
MTRCB Investigating Committee alleging that ABS-CBN exhibited
the TV program with the approval of the MTRCB, thus violating
specific MTRCB rules and regulations
- In response, ABS-CBN explained that “The Inside Story” is a
public affairs program, news documentary and socio-political
editorial, and as such it is protected by the constitutional
provision on freedom of expression and the press, and further
this program is not covered by the power and authority of the
MTRCB
- ABS-CBN was ordered to pay a fine and that all subsequent
programs of “The Inside Story” and all other programs belonging
to the same category be submitted to MTRCB before airing
- ABS-CBN brought their action to the RTC wherein the decision of
the MTRCB Was annulled and set aside
- MTRCB has now brought the issue to the Supreme Court through
the Solicitor General, contending that the jurisdiction of the
MTRCB covers all TV programs , emphasizing the word “all”
- The law which created the MTRCB gave them the power to
screen, review and examine all TV programs
- Since “The Inside Story” is a TV program then it is well within the
jurisdiction of the MTRCB
- ABS-CBN also contends that pursuant to Section 7 of P.D. 1986, a
requirement for approval before airing exempts motion pictures,
TV programs or publicity material imprinted or exhibited by the
Philippine Government and/or its departments and agencies and
newsreels, and that “The Inside Story” is a newsreel.
- P.D. 1986 does not define the term newsreel, but according to
Webster’s dictionary a newsreel is a short motion picture film
portraying or dealing with current events. Implementing Rules
and Regulations of P.D. 1986 define newsreels as straight items,
reporting—which is contrary to what “The Inside Story” really is
which deals with news analysis, commentaries and opinion
- Therefore, the petition of the MTRCB is granted, and the decision
of RTC is reversed since “The Inside Story” should have
submitted its episodes to the Board