The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has lauded the National Telecommunications Commission for issuing a directive for Kapisanan Ng Mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas to prohibit the airing of the song “Amatz” in member-television and radio stations nationwide.
Director General Aaron Aquino thanked NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba for the KBP order to enforce compliance with the restrictions stated in Article 15, Section 4 of the Broadcast Code regarding the song.
“This means that ‘Amatz’ will no longer be seen and heard over the airwaves,” he said.
KBP has 121 members composed of owners and operators of TV and radio stations, including the radio and television stations themselves, all over the country.
Article 15 (Music), Section 4 of Broadcast Code of the Philippines 2007 (as amended 2011) states that, “Songs with lyrics or messages that are vulgar, indecent, promote substance abuse, gender discrimination, racism, Satanism, violence or sexual perversion or demeans a member of any sector of society shall not be played.”
PDEA batted for the banning of “Amatz” performed by rapper Shanti Dope for its double meaning.
“The song, as a whole, seemingly enjoins the public that recreational use of illegal drugs like marijuana and shabu is harmless,” PDEA said.
PDEA affirmed “Amatz” extolled the use of illegal drugs punishable under Article 154 paragraph 2 of the Revised Penal Code.