MTRCB suspends ‘It’s Showtime’ for 12 airing days; ABS-CBN responds

Based on those complaints, the MTRCB made a case against It's Showtime, which is produced by ABS-CBN and aired on different platforms, including the GMA-owned GTV. 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.

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, which is produced by ABS-CBN and aired on different platforms, including the GMA-owned GTV. 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.

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

Just hours after the MTRCB issued the suspension order, ABS-CBN released an official statement. The Kapamilya network said it has received the ruling and will submit a Motion for Reconsideration, "humbly" maintaining that "there was no violation of pertinent law."

It also stated being "committed to working" with the MTRCB to ensure that It's Showtime can "continue to bring joy and entertainment to our noontime viewers." Additionally, it expressed gratitude to the show's fans called "Madlang People" "for their unwavering love and support."

"Isip Bata" is a game portion in It's Showtime 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 co-host and spouse Vice Ganda (they were married at the Las Vegas Chapel in Nevada, USA in 2022) played along, swiping some icing off Ion's finger then licked it. That act raised furor, specifically from the conservative sector.

The MTRCB neither specified an incident nor mention names in its statement announcing It's Showtime's suspension.

For her part, Vice Ganda took to Instagram to share a series of photos taken over the years at It's Showtime with co-hosts and guests. "In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity," she wrote in the caption, using the hashtags #ItsShowtime, #family and #MadlangPeople.

The TV host, who's also an actor and singer, received an outpouring of support from the comments section, starting with her co-hosts. Anne Curtis commented with a string of white heart emojis. Kim Chiu wrote, "Together as one," with a string of colorful heart emojis. Vhong Navaro: "Pagsubok lang ang lahat! Keep the faith." Ogie Alcasid: "Love is what binds our family." Karylle: "Nothing but love for all of you my showtime fam."

Netizens, meanwhile, couldn't help reacting to a "harsh" punishment of suspension for 12 airing days. They also pointed out that the MTRCB is chaired by Lala Sotto, whose father, former Senator Tito Sotto, is a host of another noontime show, E.A.T., aired on TV5.

Additional warnings

The MTRCB in its statement described the two cases that elicited additional warnings to the noontime show. Case number one involved hosts Jhong Hilario and Vince Ganda's "inappropriate utterance" of the word "G Spot" in the 24 January 2023 episode. This is deemed in violation of Section 2 (B), Chapter IV of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Presidential Decree (P.D.) No. 1986.

The second case referred to host Vhong Navarro's "inappropriate utterance" of the word "Tinggil" in the 3 June 2023 episode. This is 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 imposed back in 2010 a
20-day preventive suspension on ABS-CBN's noontime show then called Showtime.