Senator Robinhood Padilla said the film "Barbie" could be shown in Philippine theaters if the part about Beijing’s nine-dash line claim in the South China Sea is removed.

According to Padilla, the film will be allowed on cinemas if the producers agree to edit the scene.

However, if the producers refuse, the senator said he will be left with no choice but to disallow the film from domestic distribution.

He further said that all will depend on the content and to what extent the producers will allow them to cut out the parts that are not in favor of the arbitral ruling.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague recognized Manila's sovereignty over the resource-rich West Philippine Sea in 2016, rejecting China's claims.

China, on the other hand, opposes the verdict.

Meanwhile, the film "Barbie" was directed by Greta Gerwig and starred Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.