The Da Vinci Code in The Philippines - Banning in Manila

Banning in Manila

The City Councilors of Manila passed a resolution to ban the film, labeling it as "offensive and contrary to established religious beliefs which cannot take precedence over the right of the persons involved in the film to freedom of expression." The Councilors who concur to the resolution cited the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines stating that showing a film which offends a religion is a crime, while Councilors who opposed to the resolution stated that the film is only fiction and for entertainment. Those cinema owners who will not heed to the ban has to face a one-year jail term and a Php 5,000 fine and those persons who will be caught selling pirated DVD or VCD copies of the film could be fined Php 3,000 and jailed for up to six months. It was not banned in any of the other cities in Metro Manila, making the film easily accessible to citizens living in Manila.