The chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), Diorella “Lala” Sotto-Antonio, has vehemently denied allegations that she played a role in influencing a group of social media broadcasters to file a criminal case against popular Filipino entertainers Vice Ganda and Ion Perez.
In a statement released via her official Facebook account, Sotto clarified the nature of her meeting with members of the Kapisanan ng Social Media Broadcasters ng Pilipinas Inc. (KSMBPI) at the MTRCB office on August 24. She explained that the meeting was part of her official duties as the head of the review board.
“The purpose of this visit was to express their support for our efforts in monitoring film and TV broadcasts, recognizing that the MTRCB operates as a small agency with limited manpower. Thus, the MTRCB welcomes their expression of support on ensuring responsible and quality content in the entertainment industry in line with our mandates under PD 1986,” she stated, referring to the legal decree that established the regulatory body.
Sotto went on to emphasize, “As stated by the KSMBPI, its decision to file a case ‘was never triggered nor influenced in any way by the MTRCB.’ We urge everyone not to interpret these photos with any malicious intent.”
The controversy erupted after photos of the KSMBPI’s meeting with Sotto emerged shortly after the group lodged a formal complaint against the hosts of the popular noontime variety show ‘It’s Showtime.’ The complaint accused Vice Ganda and Ion Perez of violating the Revised Penal Code in relation to the cybercrime law.
In their complaint, the KSMBPI alleged that Vice Ganda and Perez engaged in an “obscene act” by licking icing off their fingers during the July 25, 2023 episode of the program. According to the complainants, this act amounted to the emulation of a “sexual activity” that was broadcast on national television and uploaded to ABS-CBN’s social media platforms.
The MTRCB had previously issued a 12-day suspension order for ‘It’s Showtime,’ citing the same episode and similar infractions in previous broadcasts.
ABS-CBN has announced plans to file a motion for reconsideration in response to the MTRCB’s suspension ruling. As of now, neither the network nor the implicated hosts have issued any statements regarding the criminal complaint filed by the KSMBPI.
