The controversial movie has been once again put under the spotlight.
In a statement issued on Friday, March 6, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) said that the documentary film Lost Sabungeros was not rejected nor denied review.
“Instead, the producers were asked to submit the documentary requirements needed for the Board to properly evaluate the film,” it added.
According to the board, one of the requirements they were asking was a certification that confirms that the subject matter of the material is not the subject of any pending case before the courts.
The said documentary movie by filmmaker Bryan Brazil delves into the controversial case of the missing cockfights enthusiasts or bettors.
“The Board said this is necessary to comply with the sub judice rule, which prohibits the public discussion or presentation of matters that are currently under judicial consideration,” the MTRCB furthered.
The agency also told that the requirement is consistent with the mandate of the Board under Presidential Decree No. 1986, which authorizes the MTRCB to review motion pictures and ensure that materials presented for public exhibition comply with existing laws.
Under Section 3(c), paragraph VII, of the decree, the law explicitly provides that the MTRCB is mandated to approve or disapprove materials that “Those which may constitute contempt of court or of any quasi-judicial tribunal, or pertain to matter which are sub-judice in nature.”
According to the MTRCB, the production was unable to submit the required certification, with a letter sent by Brazil himself, dated February 12, 2026, having acknowledged the Board’s requirement for such certification.
It closed its statement, “Until the necessary document is provided, the Board said it cannot continue with the review process. It is therefore incorrect to state that the MTRCB twice denied review of the film.”
GMA EXECUTIVE RESPONDS
Through her personal account, GMA Public Affairs and GMA Pictures head Nessa Valdellon refuted the statement of the MTRCB.
She wrote, “I truly have no wish to be disrespectful nor answer via a statement through our public sites. Would just like to remind you that your very own office sent out communications to us last February with this specific line: ‘The Board finds no sufficient basis to disturb or reconsider its prior determination in DECLINING TO REVIEW AND CLASSIFY the above mentioned film.'”
She also posted an image of the said letter, where the MTRCB stated, “After a thorough review of your letter, the Board finds no sufficient basis to disturb or reconsider its prior determination in declining to review and classify the above-mentioned film.“
“As previously stated by the Board, the film involves matter which is sub judice in nature pursuant to Section 3 (c) of Presidential Decree No. 1986,” further read the letter.
It continued, “The Board further reiterates that reconsideration for the review and classification may only be entertained upon compliance with the requirement to submit a Certification of No Pending Case. Thus, without said submission, the Board is constrained to deny your appeal for reconsideration.“
Back to Valdellon, she underscored that from the MTRCB’s own words, “you declined to review The Lost Sabungeros a second time.”
“We are going the school route so that more people can see the new/complete version of the documentary. Thank you,” she ended her post.
Back in August 2024, Lost Sabungeros was originally slated to premiere during the Cinemalaya Film Festival, but it had to be pulled out due to “security concerns,” with the exact matter not being explicitly stated at that point in time.
Eventually, it was included in the QCinema International Festival, which ran from November 8 to 17, 2024, and made its world premiere during the film-fest’s second day on November 9.
