During the 2023 budget hearing of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) last Tuesday, Senator Robin Padilla shared his thoughts on K-Dramas.
“Kami po ay naguguluhan dahil kapag tumitingin naman kami sa salamin… mas pogi naman kami sa mga tiga-South Korea. Wala namang inayos sa amin, kasi itong ilong ko kahit suntukin nang ilang beses, walang inayos dito,” the actor/politician reportedly said. He wondered, “Bakit po mas gustong panoorin ng ating mga kababayan ang gawa ng mga Koreano kaysa sa gawa natin?”
Photo: Senator Robin Padilla on Instagram
We recall that the issue came to light after Senator Jinggoy Estrada proposed to consider banning K-Dramas and other foreign shows in the country. This is to promote locally made shows and movies to the citizens. Later on, he clarified that his statement was only made “out of frustration”.
Sen. Robin, on the other hand, proposed to increase the taxes on foreign series that are being shown in the Philippines. “Maaari po bang taasan natin itong tax ng mga foreign series na pumapasok sa atin para kahit paano po ‘yung subsidiya nito bigay natin sa mga workers sa industriya natin, sa local, kung paano po ginawa natin diyan sa rice tariffication, gawin nating foreign teleserye tariffication dahil marami pong nawawalan ng trabaho dito,” he expounded. “Ang hirap naman pong i-ban natin sila pero dapat po siguro maging patas lang po tayo kawawa po ang ating industriya.”
Meanwhile, FDCP Chairman Tirzo Cruz III agreed that there should be a balance between airing foreign and local shows. “I do believe we, Filipinos, are better as filmmakers, as actors. But maybe it’s because we’ve been left behind technology-wise and preparation-wise, that we can’t be at par with them now,” he stated.
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