Diorella “Lala” Sotto-Antonio, the Chair of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), has taken the opportunity to address allegations of bias and favoritism within the organization.
In a recent interview on Ogie Diaz’s YouTube channel, Lala emphasized that the MTRCB does not show favoritism, even when it comes to friends or family members in the showbiz industry.
Lala discussed the intricacies of her role as MTRCB chairperson and how it presents challenges, particularly when she has relatives within the entertainment industry. She mentioned that despite the complexities, she remains committed to her role and ensures that her decisions are guided by what she believes is fair and just.
“Mahirap [at] challenging pero kung gagawin mo naman ‘yung alam mong tama, you will just do it nang walang kahirap-hirap,” she said. “Challenging siya pero alam mo naman na nasa tama ka e. Alam mo sa sarili mo na wala kang ginagawang mali…”
Acknowledging the potential perception of bias due to her family connections, Lala shared that her parents, Helen Gamboa and Tito Sotto, have encouraged her to prioritize fairness and what she believes is right in the eyes of the public and the higher power.
“Ang parati nilang sinasabi sa akin is do what is right; do what is fair; do what you think is right sa mata ng Panginoon,” she spoke of her parents’ advice. “Be very fair.”
Lala dismissed concerns that her decisions might favor her father, Tito Sotto, who is a host of a noontime show. She asserted that she is focused on fulfilling her responsibilities as MTRCB chair and that she won’t be swayed by any external influences.
“Hindi ko na kasi problema kung anong iniisip nila tungkol sa’kin. Basta ako ginagawa ko lang ang trabaho ko bilang Kristiyano, asawa, isang anak, isang ina, at higit sa lahat, isang Filipino citizen na MTRCB chairman,” she told Diaz.
“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,” she stressed. “‘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. ”
Addressing the criticism about her family’s involvement in showbiz, Lala emphasized that she is undeterred by public opinions about her actions. She remains resolute in performing her duties with integrity, ensuring that fairness is upheld in every decision.
Lala also touched on specific incidents, such as her parents’ kiss on “E.A.T.”, clarifying that the regulatory board deemed it not indecent. Additionally, she mentioned the ongoing issue involving “It’s Showtime” hosts Vice Ganda and Ion Perez, which led to the MTRCB’s intervention. While she couldn’t disclose all the details, she shared that the MTRCB had previously dismissed several complaints against the show.
Lala concluded by reiterating that the MTRCB treats all shows equally and takes a fair and unbiased approach to its duties. She stressed that any decisions are made in the best interest of the viewing public and adhere to the board’s mission of ensuring responsible content in the media.
