Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) Chairperson Diorella “Lala” Sotto-Antonio has refuted claims of her involvement in the case filed by the Kapisanan ng Social Media Broadcasters ng Pilipinas Inc. (KSMBPI) against It’s Showtime hosts Vice Ganda and Ion Perez.
In a statement shared on MTRCB’s Facebook page on Wednesday, September 13, Sotto clarified that her meeting with the members of KSMBPI at the MTRCB office on August 24th was a mere courtesy visit to express their support for the agency’s role in maintaining child-friendly and quality films and TV programs.
Sotto stated, “The purpose of this visit was to express their support for our efforts in monitoring film and TV broadcasts, recognizing that the MTRCB operates as a small agency with limited manpower. Thus, the MTRCB welcomes their expression of support for ensuring responsible and quality content in the entertainment industry in line with our mandates under PD 1986,” referring to the decree that established the organization.
“As stated by the KSMBPI, its decision to file a case ‘was never triggered nor influenced in any way by the MTRCB.’ We urge everyone not to interpret these photos with any malicious intent,” she added.
https://www.facebook.com/MTRCBgov/posts/784394433693870?ref=embed_post
Photos of KSMBPI members meeting with Sotto went viral on social media shortly after the group filed the criminal complaint against Vice Ganda and Ion Perez. According to the group, the It’s Showtime hosts and real-life couple violated the Revised Penal Code in relation to the cybercrime law.
https://twitter.com/AltStarMagic/status/1701858427948122506
In their complaint filed at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office on Monday, September 11, they alleged that Vice Ganda and Perez engaged in an “obscene act” by licking icing off their fingers during the show’s July 25, 2023 episode, which they considered an emulation of a “sexual activity” that was broadcast nationally and shared on ABS-CBN’s social media platforms.
Previously, the MTRCB had imposed a 12-day suspension on “It’s Showtime” due to the same episode and similar oversights in previous shows. ABS-CBN already announced its intention to file a motion for reconsideration regarding the MTRCB’s decision; however, both the ABS-CBN management, Vice, and Ion have yet to comment on the criminal complaint.
