Is Senate Too Sensitive About “Plane”? The Internet Thinks So

Following the criticism levied by Senator Robin Padilla, Gerard Butler’s “Plane” will be re-evaluated by the Movie and Television Review And Classification Board (MTRCB). In a statement, the MTRCB said it would take “necessary measures” if the film is found to discredit the “prestige of the Philippines or its people.”

“Although the film is fictional, we still would not want our country to be portrayed in a negative and inaccurate light,” wrote the agency.

The 2023 film is at risk of being pulled from Philippine cinemas, similar to Tom Holland’s “Uncharted,” which was taken down over a scene featuring China’s nine-dash line, a contentious marking of the country’s territory in the South China Sea.

“Plane” follows a pilot who allies himself with a convict after his passenger aircraft crashlands in hostile territory. According to the trailer, the crew lands in the “Jolo island cluster,” home to separatists and militia, marked so dangerous that even “the Filipino army won’t go there anymore.”

Sen, Padilla earlier argued that the country’s reputation was at stake, saying that tackling the nation’s issues is alright as long as Filipinos themselves are at the helm.

“Pag pinaguusapan natin ang bayan natin at mga diprensya, okay lang yan kasi trabaho natin yan. Pero pagka ibang bansa na po ang bumabanat sa atin dapat di dapat tayo pumapayag,” he said.

But while Senate President Miguel Zubiri sided with Padilla, adding that “this is not the real situation on the ground,” social media users disagreed about the criticism against the film. One argued that the film is fictional.

Another argued that larger issues continue to tarnish the country’s reputation, while some who have never heard of the film now have their interests piqued. Others say the film references real-life scenarios. Peep the rest of the reactions below:

Ang matatalinong manonood ng pelikula ang makauunawang work of fiction at hindi propaganda o paninira ang pelikulang ‘Plane.’

Operative word: Matatalino.

Therefore… pic.twitter.com/iMMOmYb7X5

— The Professional Heckler™️ (@hecklerforever8) February 16, 2023

It’s like Robin Padilla forgot that most movies are works of fiction, which is surprising, because he was once in movies himself. pic.twitter.com/cTnnQiYhMu

— The Wasted Wanderer (@_wastedwanderer) February 16, 2023

Was not interested to see the movie before, now I’m intrigued. Very good publicity. Thank you, worthless group in the senate.

— Anida Hanjaab 🇵🇭🇭🇰 (@mikeyliling72) February 16, 2023

Jolo is where majority of the Abu Sayaf and other Islamic Extremists are hiding… So where’s the lie in that? And how come you’re so easily offended when a lot of stuff that you do in the Senate are more offensive? Like for example, NOT LISTENING TO THE PUBLIC.

— Chazz (@ItsTheRealChazz) February 15, 2023

Sa ganyan ang bibilis. Pero pag naooffend taong bayan dahil ang bagal magpasa ng batas mga insensistive kayong mga politiko. Bayan first and their needs bago maoffend sa ganyan.

— JLP (@JuanLerenaPalma) February 15, 2023

Jinggoy: Ban K-dramas
Robin: Ban the movie “Plane”

Kung sana i-ban yung Kaliwa Dam project, illegal mining, mga pogo & marami pang mas importante, matutuwa pa kami sa inyo.

— patricia🌿 (@pinaysipatricia) February 16, 2023

@robinpadilla23 Okay lang yan ‘tol, pelikula lang yan. Maraming ganyang sa balita dito sa Pilipinas.

Ang ayusin niyo ay yung “Anti-Dynasty Bill” kung talagang gusto niyo ng isang gobiyernong tapat.
Alam kong alam din ninyo na yan ay isang ugat ng kurapsyon.

— berdengbukid (@b_bukid) February 16, 2023

Eh yng Maid in Malacanang at yung Ninoy Martyr or Murderer….kathang isip din naman yun ah & obviously an attempt to distort history pero wala kayong kibo mga hinayupak kayong mga Senador!

— JASH (@HilberoS) February 15, 2023

Entertaining kaya yung movie. Comedy even. Imagine, Jolo setting, then the locals speak tagalog. The big boss, obviously Pinoy, again (and Ill overemphasise) JOLO ung loc, has an amboy accent. i will condemn the producers (and the casting team) for a different reason.

— JC Pereras (@jctp1987) February 15, 2023