Last July 31, 2023, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board or MTRCB called upon the producers of live noontime show It’s Showtime! to appear and testify to the board in line with an alleged “indecent manner” conducted by hosts Vice Ganda and Ion Perez. The incident in question happened in the show’s July 25 episode, during the “Isip Bata” segment.
Photo: It’s Showtime Facebook
According to reports, Vice and Ion shared a cake on screen to celebrate their monthsary, with Vice Ganda taking icing from Ion’s fingers and then trying it.
MTRCB said in a statement that it received “multiple complaints” regarding the episode, and that the “said scene is in violation of Section 3 (c) Presidential Decree No. 1986.”
The decree states MTRCB’s functions, powers, and duties including:
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 subject of the preceding paragraph, which, in the judgment of the BOARD applying contemporary Filipino cultural values as standard, are objectionable for being immoral, indecent, contrary to law and/or good customs, injurious to the prestige of the Republic of the Philippines or its people, or with a dangerous tendency to encourage the commission of violence or of a wrong or crime […]
On September 4, the MTRCB announced its decision to suspend It’s Showtime! for 12 days. The board wrote on social media:
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) issued today, 04 September 2023, its decision to suspend the live noontime program “It’s Showtime!” for twelve (12) airing days.
Viewers have lodged multiple complaints before the MTRCB concerning the show’s 25 July 2023 episode wherein the program’s hosts allegedly acted in an indecent manner during one of its segments, “Isip Bata.” The said case was referred to the MTRCB’s Hearing and Adjudication Committee which heard the case and required the respondents to submit their position papers, following a procedural process.
You can read the announcement here.
MTRCB also pointed out that this is not the first time It’s Showtime received a “preventative suspension” as well as multiple complaints. The board wrote:
This is not the first time that a preventive suspension order was imposed on It’s Showtime. In 2010, the MTRCB imposed a 20-day preventive suspension on ABS-CBN’s daily variety program then called “Showtime.” In 2023 alone, the MTRCB has received multiple complaints which the Board has given due course.
Meanwhile, It’s Showtime producers plan to submit a motion for reconsideration. In its September 4 episode, host Jhong Hilario acknowledged MTRCB’s decision and shared the show’s plan of action:
Kami ay maghahain ng motion for reconsideration dahil nanininiwala kami na walang nangyaring paglabag sa anumang batas. Habang nakabinbin ang motion for reconsideration, ang desisyon ng suspensyon ng programa ay hindi pa pinal at epektibo.
Kaya sa ngayon ay patuloy niyo pong mapapanood ang ‘It’s Showtime.’ Patuloy din kaming makikipag-ugnayagan sa MTRCB para makapagpatuloy ang ‘It’s Showtime’ ng libangan at saya sa minamahal naming Madlang Pipol.
According to the decree, respondents are allowed to submit a motion of reconsideration within 15 days after receiving the board’s decision.
ALSO READ: Vice Ganda Shows Love to Ion Perez With a Diamond Ring on Their 4th Anniversary
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