Media law expert and University of the Philippines (UP) professor, Atty. Marichu Lambino strongly believed that the Movies and Television Review and Classification Board’s (MTRCB) decision against ‘It’s Showtime’ displayed a serious conflict of interest.
During her interview on Radyo 630’s Teleradyo Serbisyo with Alvin Elchico on Thursday, September 7, Lambino made the case that MTRCB Chairperson Lala Sotto’s position alone raised concerns.
While Sotto may not have directly participated in the vote for the suspension of “It’s Showtime,” her influential role as the board’s chairperson inevitably influences every decision made by its members. Moreover, the fact that her father is associated with a competing program clearly points to a conflict of interest.
“Bagamat sinasabi po nyang hindi daw po sya bumoto noong nagdesisyon, sya po ay may malalang conflist of interest dahil yun pong kanyang tatay ay host at producer, isa sa mga producers ng kabilang programa na katapat ng It’s Showtime.
“Ang ibig sabihin po ng conflict of interest, makikinabang yung kanyang pamilya or family member sa anumang gawin nya or pahayag nya. Kahit hindi sya bumoto, ang dami nyang pahayag at ito po ay nakakaapekto sa pagboboto ng mga kasapi ng board dahil sya ang chairperson, sya yung pumipirma ng honorarium, assignments, recommendations, promotions, meron syang epekto yung kanyang mga members ng board ng MTRCB.”
On Monday, September 4, the MTRCB imposed a 12-day suspension on “It’s Showtime” for allegedly permitting indecent acts that violated the board’s rules and regulations. The complaints stemmed from the show’s July 25 episode, in which Ion Perez and Vice Ganda were seen involved in an incident with cake icing.
However, the decision faced intense opposition and criticism from outraged netizens, many of whom accused Sotto of being entangled in a conflict of interest.
If Lala Sotto understands conflict of interest, she should resign from @MTRCBgov. https://t.co/dsPphVjT3o
— Y 0 L 0 (@itsY0L0) August 2, 2023
LOOK: MTRCB chairperson, Lala Sotto-Antonio's statement on the issue of E.A.T vs. her statement on the issue of It's Showtime.
Kayo na humusga kay ante 🤡🍵🤡🍵🤡🍵🤡🍵🤡🍵🤡🍵 pic.twitter.com/KOk2KQr58a
— ALTStarMagic 💫 (@AltStarMagic) August 2, 2023
Sotto, in response, maintained that there was no favoritism within the MTRCB and that their decisions were made in accordance with their rules without being swayed by personal affiliations.
“Sa mga nagsasabi na unfair [ako], hindi patas, biased—hindi maiiwasan yon [dahil] opinyon nila ‘yon e. Pero dito sa MTRCB, wala kaming favorites—kaibigan, kamag-anak.
“Wag kayong mag-alala, walang favoritism dito. Kung kailangan managot, sila ay pananagutin. Kung may mag-commit ng violations, of course bibigyan sila ng naaayon na penalty sa kanilang mga violation, ” she said during her interview with Ogie Diaz on August 11.
