In response to the 12-day suspension of the popular television program ‘It’s Showtime’ by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), former MTRCB chairman and law professor Atty. Eugenio “Toto” Villareal expressed his disappointment with the decision.
“Nakakalungkot even siguro sa nagdedesisyon,” Villareal remarked regarding the MTRCB’s ruling. The suspension was imposed due to the show’s July 25 episode, which featured Vice Ganda and Ion Perez consuming a cake on air.
The MTRCB had previously issued two warnings to ‘It’s Showtime’ earlier this year, contributing to the decision to suspend the show for 12 days.
Villareal emphasized that the 12-day suspension not only affects the show’s performers but also impacts the ordinary crew members who work behind the scenes.
ABS-CBN, the network behind ‘It’s Showtime,’ has announced its intention to file a motion for reconsideration regarding the MTRCB’s decision. In their official statement, ABS-CBN stated, “We will submit a Motion for Reconsideration as we humbly maintain that there was no violation of pertinent law.”
The network also expressed its commitment to collaborating with the MTRCB to ensure that ‘It’s Showtime’ can continue providing joy and entertainment to its noontime viewers.
Villareal elaborated that the MTRCB’s authority to impose penalties is rooted in Presidential Decree No. 1986, which utilizes contemporary Filipino cultural values as a standard for evaluating content. This decree deems content objectionable if it is found to be immoral, indecent, in violation of the law, or contrary to good customs.
