Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo. (Screengrab from RTVM)
MANILA -- The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has the discretion on whether or not to ban a Spanish-produced animated movie that allegedly shows historical inaccuracies, Malacañang said on Thursday.
"I think that's the jurisdiction of the MTRCB. Sila ang magde-decide noon (It will be the one to decide)," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo told reporters in a press conference when asked if the Palace plan to prohibit the showing of the Spanish film, "Elcano and Magellan, the First Voyage Around the World", in the Philippines.
"We will not want to preempt the jurisdiction of that agency," he added.
A poster of the movie depicts an animation of Lapu-Lapu described as "[the] Philippines' very own hero."
The poster also illustrates that the animated film is featuring "the battle at Mactan between Magellan and Lapu-Lapu."
The movie focuses on the adventures of Magellan and Juan Sebastian Elcano, based on the synopsis posted on the movie's official website.
The synopsis of the 90-minute movie read: "One of the most complete adventures ever told. A voyage to the unknown that started with Magellan in command and was concluded by Juan Sebastian Elcano. Storms, hunger, hostile tribes... Five ships sailed off from Seville."
"Three years later, only one of them managed to return, bringing their adventure full circle and finally proving the planet Earth is round," the synopsis read.
The animated movie has drawn flak from Filipino netizens who decried the alleged revisions to history.
On April 27, 1521, tribal men led by Mactan valiant chieftain Lapu-Lapu won the fight against Spanish conquerors led by Ferdinand Magellan.
To honor Lapu-Lapu, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11040 on June 29, 2018, declaring April 27 as a special working public holiday nationwide and a special non-working holiday in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
On May 8, 2018, the President also signed Executive Order 55, forming the National Quincentennial Committee tasked to prepare a comprehensive plan for the quincentennial commemoration of the arrival of Magellan in the Philippines, the victory of Lapu-Lapu in the Battle of Mactan, and other historic events from 1519 to 1522. (PNA)
