Filmmaker Jowee Morel is willing to meet with the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) and answer its allegations in connection with the showing of his controversial movie “Strictly Confidential: Confessions of Men.”

MTRCB  said “Strictly Confidential: Confessions of Men” was shown at the University of the Philippines Film Institute (UPFI) on February 16 without corresponding permit, a probable violation of Section 7 of Presidential Decree No. 1986.

MTRCB has summoned Morel to explain his side when it hears his case on March 26 at 2 p.m. 

“In the first place, I haven’t received a copy of the subpoena, officially, but all things considered, I am not afraid to face them,” said Morel.

“Strictly Confidential: Confessions of Men” is purely an educational piece that intends to inform, educate and warn the public against the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), according to Morel.

“It is to disseminate information about safe sex among gay people and the practice of faithfulness among partners. I did it in the documentary type. I even had doctors and gay people talking about AIDS and ‘Men Having Sex with Men’ but they were objective statements from the subjects,” he defended.

Morel said he abided by the policy of UP. He also pointed out that UP can exhibit films that are considered educational in nature.

“I still believe that UP is a free institution and that there is a clause in the laws that it is not governed by the MTRCB. We also showed ‘Strictly Confidential…’ not to gain commercially because we didn’t change the price of the tickets,” he said.

He added: “I don’t do pornographic creations because I don’t want to be bothered by my conscience.”

Morel is also the director of controversial films “Mga Paru-Parong Rosas (Pink Butterflies),” “When A Gay Man Loves,” and “Latak.”

Aside from Morel, other respondents are Prof. Anne Marie de Guzman, director of the UPFI; James Harvey Estrada and Sinehan Digitales, Inc., producers of “Aurora”; and Seam Lim and Oxin Entertainment Productions, the makers of “Sagwan.”

Nonoy Lauzon, member of the Young Critics Circle, said UPFI is also ready to answer the allegations of MTRCB.

“Ang ipinagtataka lang ng ibang respondent, bakit daw sila ang pinag-initan samantalang marami nang naipalabas na pelikula of the same nature,” said Lauzon.