MTRCB suspends ‘It’s Showtime’ for 12 airing days — but no mention of Vice-Ion

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board issued today, 4 September, its decision to suspend the noontime program It's Showtime for 12 airing days.

In a statement released to the media, the government agency said it has received "multiple complaints" from viewers concerning the show's episode last 25 July, in which unspecified hosts "allegedly acted in an indecent manner" during the "Isip Bata" segment.

Based on those complaints, the MTRCB made a case against It's Showtime. The case was referred to its Hearing and Adjudication Committee, which then summoned the people behind the show as respondents as part of the procedural process.

The respondents may file one Motion of Reconsideration within 15 days after receipt of the decision, in accordance with the Presidential Decree No. 1986 (MTRCB Charter). If the MR gets an unfavorable decision from the agency's Board, the show may appeal to the Office of the President within 15 days from the receipt of the decision on the MR.

"Isip Bata" is a game played with 20 adult contestants guessing the recorded answers of 50 kids to a particular question, until only one remains to advance to the jackpot round for a chance to win P50,000.

At one point during the 25 July episode, host Ion Perez playfully swiped icing off a cake he was holding. His cohost and spouse Vice Ganda (they were married in the U.S. city of Las Vegas in 2022) played along, swiping some icing off Ion's finger then licking it. That act triggered complaints against the show filed at the MTRCB.

But the MTRCB neither specified that incident nor mentioned any names in its statement announcing It's Showtime's suspension. However, it described two other cases that it said elicited additional warnings for the noontime show.

The first case involved hosts Jhong Hilario and Vince Ganda's "inappropriate utterance" of the word "G Spot" in the 24 January 2023 episode,  deemed in violation of Section 2 (B), Chapter IV of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Presidential Decree No. 1986.

The second case referred to host Vhong Navarro's "inappropriate utterance" of the word "Tinggil" in the 3 June 2023 episode, also deemed in violation of Section 2 (B), Chapter IV of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of P.D. No. 1986.

Both cases are now under review by the agency's Board.

Prior to this suspension, the MTRCB pointed out in its statement that it had imposed back in 2010 a 20-day preventive suspension on ABS-CBN's noontime show then called Showtime.

Here is MTRCB's full statement:

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.

In accordance with the Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 1986 (MTRCB Charter), the respondents may file one Motion for Reconsideration (MR) within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the decision. Should the Board's Decision be adverse to the respondent's MR, they may appeal to the Office of the President within fifteen (15) days from the receipt of the decision on the MR.

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.

Most recently, the Board issued two (2) additional warnings to the noontime show concerning the following cases:

Case no. 1:

Inappropriate utterance of the word "G Spot" by hosts Jhong Hilario and Vice Ganda, during the 24 January 2023 episode of "It's Showtime!" in violation of Section 2 (B), Chapter IV of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 1986.

Decision: The Board found the Respondents (ABS-CBN Corporation Broadcasting Network [ABS-CBN], ZOE Broadcasting Network, Inc. [ZBNI] and TV 5 Network, Inc.) remiss in the performance of their respective functions and duties required under the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of P.D. No. 1986, specifically Section 2 (B) Chapter IV thereof, and are admonished to refrain from making any utterances of similar nature for the same will be dealt more severely.

Case no. 2:

Inappropriate utterance of the word "Tinggil" by host Vhong Navarro, during the 03 June 2023 episode of "It's Showtime!" in violation of Section 2 (B), Chapter IV of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of P.D. No. 1986.

Decision: Derelict in the performance of their respective functions and duties under the IRR of P.D. No. 1986, Respondents (ABS-CBN and ZBNI) were sternly warned by the Board that a similar utterance will be dealt with more severely.

At present, the noontime show has duly submitted their MRs for the above-mentioned cases which are currently pending with the MTRCB's Adjudication Committee.

Prior Warnings

It may also be recalled that the noontime show received prior warnings from the Board in relation to the utterance of the word "Pek Pek Shorts" in the 09 January 2023 episode of the show and the indecent attire and performance of Kim Duenas in the "Girl on Fire" segment aired on 14 February 2023, in both cases, the Respondents were admonished that similar violations shall be dealt with more severely.

Dismissed Complaints over lack of Merit

Apart from these, the MTRCB has received multiple complaints regarding the noontime show, which the Board dismissed in the spirit of fairness and equity, such as (1) Complaints regarding the "Rampanalo" segment money game where hosts were paired together to catch play money using their lips; (2) Complaints regarding the allegedly suggestive "macho" dancing in one of the show's segments; (3) Complaints regarding the wardrobe malfunctions or "nip slips" of one of the performers, to which MTRCB issued a memorandum urging stakeholders to exercise prudence in securing their talents' clothing during performances; and (4) Complaints of alleged inappropriate wearing of the Barong Tagalog of one of the Hosts, to name a few.

The MTRCB only adjudicates cases which, to the Board's judgment, have basis in law and its mandate, P.D. No. 1986.