Manila 6th District Representative Bienvenido Abante is receiving criticism for justifying the recent suspension of the popular noontime variety show ‘It’s Showtime’ using the pretext of protecting children from obscenity.
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) imposed a 12-day suspension on the show, citing alleged “indecent acts” involving its hosts, Vice Ganda and Ion Perez, along with warnings of “inappropriate language” in previous episodes.
Abante’s stance that the MTRCB’s decision was warranted has raised questions among critics who argue that the suspension may have been politically motivated or an overreaction to alleged indecency.
Some have accused Abante of using the protection of children as a convenient excuse to justify the suspension, which many see as an encroachment on freedom of expression.
Critics have pointed out that Filipino audiences have been exposed to similar content for years, and the suspension appears to be an abrupt departure from previous regulatory practices.
They question whether the government should be involved in dictating morality and values, suggesting that such matters are better left to individual viewers and families.
While Abante insists that the MTRCB’s move is in line with its mandate to safeguard Filipino children from obscene content, opponents argue that this justification may be masking deeper political or personal motivations behind the suspension.
The controversy surrounding ‘It’s Showtime’ and its suspension continues, with advocates for free speech and artistic expression expressing concern over potential censorship in the entertainment industry.
