On August 2, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board Chairperson Lala Sotto released a statement defending her parents, Tito Sotto and Helen Gamboa, in the TV5 noontime show ‘E.A.T’ after they displayed affection on air.
Sotto responded to a reporter stating that, “Hello tita [Pilar] naman, 44 [years] na sila ganyan sa ‘Eat Bulaga’ never naman nagka-issue.”
Her statement came after E.A.T’s celebration of ‘National Dabarkads Day’ on July 29, in which Tito Sotto kissed Helen Gamboa on the neck on live TV.
Her response sparked claims from the netizens citing the double standard and conflict of interest after MTRCB summoned ‘It’s Showtime’ hosts Vice Ganda and Ion Perez to explain the cake-eating bit but not the kissing of Gamboa and Sotto.
Some netizens pointed out the conflict of interest with the MTRCB Chair being the daughter of the host of E.A.T.
If Lala Sotto understands conflict of interest, she should resign from @MTRCBgov. https://t.co/dsPphVjT3o
— Y 0 L 0 (@itsY0L0) August 2, 2023
ng tatay niya alang makita na paglabag kahit ang dami-daming netizens ang nakakapanuod. Joketime din siya infair. Hahaha!
— HOLA PH (@holaphofficial) August 2, 2023
Hi Lala,
Sbai mo dahil mag-asawa ang nanay at tatay mo.
Sina Vice at Ion, mag-asawa rin naman.
We also have different forms of love and family. Baka di ka nainform. Pakireview na lang po. Charot https://t.co/4LcPgFguXJ
— Kapuso Talks (@KapusoTalks) August 2, 2023
lol paisa lang kung affectionate for a number of years lang naman pala ang argument at di siya issue, bakit naging issue yung sa hosts ng Showtime eh kung affectionate lang din naman sila for a number of years din?
Ah kasi, di naman siya anak nung hosts ng Showtime lol https://t.co/j50wbRgnki
— Jules Guiang (@julesguiang) August 2, 2023
One netizen contested the timing of the decision to summon the ‘It’s Showtime’ hosts following the dip in ratings of ‘E.A.T.’
With the continuous decline of EAT’s ratings plus IS’s Mini Ms. U and Isip Bata’s success, isn’t the notice to appear is very timely? It’s giving me, “Dad, akong bahala sa kalaban.” vibes. And yes, please resign Lala Sotto. You don’t have the credibility to head MTRCB.
— Calvin Sandoval (@calvsandoval) August 2, 2023
Others also called out the alleged ‘gender discrimination’ of Lala Sotto and MTRCB.
Lalong pinatunayan ng MTRCB na GENDER BASED accusations ang ginawa nila! LOL.
O sya! Sabihan na ang mga bata na IMORAL ANG PAGDILA NG ICING NG CAKE SA DALIRI, bilang nakita sa TV!
— Ren
(@RENderred) August 2, 2023
Let’s be clear, if it involves heterosexual couple, it’s affection. If not, it’s indecency. Correct, @MTRCBgov?
If this isn’t the case, why is the act of eating cake icing by people of diverse SOGIE “malaswa”? Pls. clarify. https://t.co/DyIpNL38a8
— elizabeth angsioco (@bethangsioco) August 2, 2023
Ion and vice are married, di mo yan nirerecognize kasi nga… https://t.co/C8rogGxgBc
— Inah (@InahNyo95) August 2, 2023
Exactly! Pero kay Vice at Ion may issue?
Sige, let's file complaints against EAT para ma summon din sila ng MTRCB. https://t.co/LYGrscilPY
— Asia's Tokovich (@yisafunctionofx) August 2, 2023
Others also questioned her qualifications as MTRCB Chairperson.
All I want to know is what are her qualifications to become the chairperson of this ancient government organization? https://t.co/G2GVvZ7jRn
— film circle reject (@ace_antipolo) August 2, 2023
https://twitter.com/jesusfalcis/status/1686834126891122693?s=20
https://twitter.com/pookiepay/status/1686759999123398656?s=20
One netizen noted that the MTRCB issue points to a ‘much larger issue’ of discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community.
This whole Vice MTRCB issue just proves that we’re still far from a fully accepting society.
Just look at the Facebook comments. They will only tolerate us if we’re funny and entertaining. Sadly, that’s just how they see us: for entertainment purposes only.
— Justin Vawter
(@justinvawter) August 2, 2023
Another urged the taxpayers to question the ‘biased’ decision of the MTRCB Chairperson.
Take note lang ha? Government agency padin ang MTRCB so tax ng taong bayan ang pinapasahod sa mga nakaupo diyan lalo na kay LALA SOTTO so yung sinasabi niyang wala siyang pake sa mga nagrereklamo at panindigan niya yung desisyon nilang pag bibigay violation sa It's Showtime tapos…
— Kapuso Buzz (@GMAAltPlayGrnd) August 2, 2023
Earlier, MTRCB Chairperson Lala Sotto claimed they have sent multiple warnings about the language used in ‘It’s Showtime.’
“Kung alam n’yo lang, ilang notices na po ang aming ipinadala sa kanila (It’s Showtime), nakailang warning na rin sila dahil sa mga violations nila sa lengguwahe na paulit-ulit po ‘yun.”
Sotto also clarified they summoned the hosts because of the observations of MTRCB’s monitoring inspection unit, citing alleged violations related to the presence of children during the segment.
She also maintained that the MTRCB adheres to a fair and thorough assessment of complaints before taking any action.
