Singer and comedy actor Janno Gibbs is firm in defending streaming platform VMX following allegations from Senator Jinggoy Estrada that it promotes pornographic content and exploitation.
In his privileged speech to the Senate in December 2024, Estrada condemned VMX for allegedly “normalizing” explicit material and raising concerns over reported abuses among artists.
“Are we normalizing porn on streaming platforms now? Are these kinds of films going to save the industry?” said Estrada.
“The Philippines is a nation deeply rooted in moral values, family traditions, and respect for human dignity. However, these principles are being challenged by platforms that prioritize profit over social responsibility,” he added.
In a recent press conference for his new gag show, Wow Mani, Gibbs addressed Estrada’s criticisms, emphasizing that VMX is a private platform designed for adult audiences.
“Senator Jinggoy is doing his job. He is doing it very well. He has all the right to his opinions. For me, personally, my opinion is that VMX is not a public viewing venue. It is a private venue. You have to pay. It’s not public. It has a child lock, and you need a card,” Janno explained.
He further argued that the platform’s content is comparable to other streaming services, including Netflix.
“There is nothing on VMX that you cannot see on Netflix. Do they censor it too? Sometimes it’s even more on Netflix,” he continued.
Gibbs also emphasized that VMX provides a valuable platform for aspiring actors to gain experience and work with established professionals and gives work to people behind the camera.
“VMX gave these girls what they don’t get in other fields, mainstream. For a lot of them, this is a great stepping stone. VMX offers a lot of jobs. Most of the movies are directed and written by well-regarded directors and writers. Quality-wise, it’s good,” Gibbs stated.
VMX, formerly known as Vivamax, boasts over 12 million subscribers and offers a wide range of Filipino movies, TV series, and other content.
Recently, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) acknowledged its limited authority over online streaming platforms, making it difficult to regulate content on platforms like VMX.
Wow Mani, featuring a cast of actresses, premiered on Jan. 7 and streams new episodes every Tuesday.