Darryl Yap said his upcoming film, “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma,” won’t be screened in Philippine cinemas this February.
In a statement posted on Facebook Monday, the director explained he and his team were not able to complete the documents required by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).
“Ipinaaabot ko po sa lahat ng nakasubaybay na bigo po ang panig ng inyong lingkod na agarang makumpleto ang mga dokumentong hinihingi ng pamunuan ng MTRCB. Kaya’t imposible pong mapilabas sa mga sinehan ang ating pelikula sa February 5,” he said.
According to Yap, they are mulling the possibility of screening the film abroad or forgoing its screening in cinemas altogether and focus instead on streaming platforms.
“Kung anu’t anuman ay agad itong malalaman ng publiko,” he added.
In the comments section, Yap also wrote that the months of February and March are already full.
Per the MTRCB, it could not accept the film’s submitted materials because its Legal Affairs Division required the distributor, PinoyFlix Films and Entertainment Production, “to provide three specific requirements such as Certificate or Clearance of No Pending Criminal, Civil, or Administrative Case from the Regional Trial Court, the Department of Justice, and the Office of the City Prosecutor.”
On January 24, the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 205 ordered Yap to take down the teaser for his film, which mentioned actor Vic Sotto’s name.
He, however, is allowed to proceed with the film’s production and eventual release.
