Missing writer credits highlight systemic issue, says Ricky Lee

National Artist says crediting writers is a right as guild flags omissions and FAP moves to address grievances.

The call for proper crediting of screenwriters is gaining renewed urgency after the Filipino Screenwriters Guild (FSG) flagged the alleged omission of two writers from a television series—an issue National Artist for Film and Broadcast Ricky Lee says has long plagued the industry.

Lee, who serves as an FSG consultant, described the problem as systemic, recalling that even during his early years, writers often struggled for proper recognition.

“It’s been a long struggle,” he told radar Entertainment in an interview Sunday. “Crediting the writers is important. This is not about vanity. It’s their right.”

The FSG recently raised concern over missing on-screen credits, framing the issue as one of authorship and professional respect. The group stressed that writers, as originators of a project, deserve clear and visible acknowledgment for their work.

Industry practice influenced by Hollywood

For Lee, the issue hits close to home. He recounted resigning from a project early in his career after discovering that writers were placed only in the end credits. “When I watched the rough cut, the writers were in the end credits. So I resigned. I said, ‘If they were in the end credits, please remove my name,’” he said.

While producers later apologized, Lee emphasized that the problem goes beyond individual decisions. “Maybe they didn’t intend to do it. It’s the system.”

He pointed to long-standing industry practices influenced by Hollywood, where writers’ names are often relegated to smaller billing. “On the poster are the names of the directors, producers, and artists. And then when you go to the small box below, that’s where the name of the writer is,” he said. “We followed Hollywood. I think it’s wrong.”

Lee stressed that writers play a central creative role, often working closely with directors in shaping a project. “Sila ang magkatuwang,” he said.

Missing credit in ‘Himala’

The National Artist also shared his experience with the landmark film “Himala,” which he began working on in 1976. Despite being instrumental in developing the project—including selecting director Ishmael Bernal and lead star Nora Aunor—Lee’s name did not appear on the film’s original 1982 poster.

“My name wasn’t on the entire poster. And through the years, Cesar Hernando, who made the poster, kept apologizing to me,” he recalled. It took decades before proper credit was reflected in a restored version. “Finally, I saw my name on the poster… It was a bit late.”

The recent FSG statement has also prompted action from industry bodies, with the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) working on a grievance committee to address similar concerns. Lee welcomed the development, calling it a long-overdue step toward protecting film workers.

“I think it’s high time,” he said. “As a film worker, you feel protected. You feel there’s a body out there looking after your welfare.”

Lee is an FSG consultant alongside writer-director Jose Javier Reyes, who also chairs the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

The FAP has also announced the formation of a grievance department for film workers, with some cases already being settled amicably, including off-court resolutions. 

Lee said these developments signal progress in how the industry handles long-standing concerns. “I’m happy in these times,” he said. “A lot of good things are happening in the industry. It makes one very optimistic.”

For Lee, the renewed push for proper crediting is part of a larger shift, one that recognizes the essential role of writers in bringing stories to life. “Just like you have to credit the producer of the film, or the carpenter who built your house,” he said. “It’s their right.”

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