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MANILA, Philippines – The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) issued on Monday, September 4, its decision to suspend ABS-CBN’s noontime show It’s Showtime for 12 airing days over its July 25, 2023 episode.
‘Alleged indecent acts’
On July 31, MTRCB issued a notice to the producers to appear and testify due to “alleged indecent acts” by It’s Showtime hosts Vice Ganda and Ion Perez during said episode. The review board said multiple viewers had filed complaints regarding the episode’s “Isip Bata” segment.
While MTRCB didn’t specify the details of the segment, said segment showed Vice and Ion – who are publicly in a relationship with each other – sharing a cake.
Vice Ganda was seen taking some of the cake’s icing from Ion’s fingers before tasting it and greeting Ion a “happy monthsary.”
In the notice, the MTRCB said that Vice and Ion’s exchange is in violation of Section 3 (c) Presidential Decree No. 1986.
The section states the MTRCB has the power to “approve or disapprove, delete objectionable portions from and/or prohibit the importation, exportation, production, copying, distribution, sale, lease, exhibition and/or television broadcast of the motion pictures, television programs and publicity materials.”
Motion for reconsideration
“We will submit a Motion for Reconsideration (MR) as we humbly maintain that there was no violation of pertinent law,” ABS-CBN said in a statement released the evening of September 4.
“We are also committed to working with the MTRCB to ensure that It’s Showtime can continue to bring joy and entertainment to our noontime viewers. We are truly grateful to the Madlang People for their unwavering love and support for It’s Showtime,” the broadcast giant added.
Motion denied
On September 28, however, the MTRCB denied the MR filed by ABS-CBN and GMA Network, Inc. – affirming the decision it made on August 17 to suspend the show for 12 days.
“Said MRs sought relief from the Board’s ruling dated August 17, 2023, regarding the July 25, 2023 episode of the live noontime television program It’s Showtime,” the resolution read.
“Specifically, during the show’s “Isip Bata” segment, in which hosts Ryan Bang, Vice Ganda, and Ion Perez allegedly acted indecently or inappropriately in the presence of children, which is alleged to have violated Section 3 (c) of Presidential Decree No. 1986 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations,” the MTRCB added.
In a subcommittee hearing held the previous day, MTRCB chairwoman Lala Sotto stated that the government agency gave ABS-CBN a 15-day period to file their MR.
“We wanted to give them a chance to cooperate with us, to enter into a dialogue, at least, or to coordinate, but that did not happen,” Sotto explained.
ABS-CBN statement on Motion for Reconsideration denial
On the same evening the resolution was released, ABS-CBN released its official statement on MTRCB’s denial of its MR, stating that it is “currently exploring all [its] remedies and options.”
“In the meantime, since the imposed suspension is not yet final and executory, we would like to reassure our audiences that “It’s Showtime” will continue to be seen on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, and GTV. It is also available on Kapamilya Online Live, iWantTFC, and TFC,” ABS-CBN wrote.
“We are truly grateful for the unwavering love and support that we have received from our viewers. We remain committed to bringing joy and inspiration to our beloved Madlang People,” it added.
ABS-CBN’s statement on appeal
On the evening of Friday, October 6, ABS-CBN issued a statement on its decision to not submit an appeal to the MTRCB for its decision to suspend It’s Showtime for 12 days beginning October 14.
“We respect the authority of MTRCB, but we humbly maintain that the program did not break any pertinent law,” the media giant wrote.
“Our heartfelt thanks to our viewers for their unwavering love and support for It’s Showtime, which will return on October 28 stronger and better than ever,” it added.
This is not the first time that It’s Showtime has been summoned by the MTRCB. In October 2015, the show was summoned for a meeting on “gender sensitivity concerns” following complaints about their “Pastillas Girl” segment. In August 2014, the show was also summoned by the board for Vice’s antics in the “Gandang Lalaki” portion.
Vice and Ion first confirmed their relationship in 2019. It was in February 2022 when they revealed that they had gotten engaged in February 2020, and had held a wedding commitment ceremony in Las Vegas in October 2021. – Rappler.com
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