Photo credit: Barbie The Movie

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has given the green light for the screening of the highly anticipated "Barbie" movie in the country. This decision comes despite earlier criticisms over a scene that was purported to depict China's controversial "nine-dash" line claim in the South China Sea. Senate foreign relations committee chairman Francis Tolentino has shed light on the matter, stating that the MTRCB clarified that the scene in question actually portrays an "eight-dash" line.

The announcement of "Barbie" movie premiere in Philippine theaters on July 19 has generated considerable excitement among fans of the iconic doll character. However, concerns were raised regarding a specific scene within the film that supposedly featured China's disputed territorial claims.

These claims, referred to as the "nine-dash" line, encompass vast areas of the South China Sea, including parts claimed by the Philippines and other neighboring countries.
Senator Francis Tolentino, as the chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee, addressed the issue by revealing the MTRCB's rationale behind their decision. According to Tolentino, the regulatory board clarified that the scene in question actually depicts an "eight-dash" line, rather than the disputed "nine-dash" line.

The MTRCB's approval of the "Barbie" movie's screening underscores their careful consideration of the film's content and adherence to local guidelines and regulations. This decision is expected to allay concerns among some sectors that feared the movie would inadvertently support or endorse China's territorial claims.