The Department of Broadcast Communication at the University of the Philippines (UP) is demanding the resignation of Diorella “Lala” Sotto-Antonio, the chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), following recent actions taken against the noontime show ‘It’s Showtime.’
In an official statement posted on its Facebook page, the UP department expressed deep disappointment in Sotto, alleging that she “clearly compromised her position and objectivity as a public official” due to the MTRCB’s decision to suspend ‘It’s Showtime’ for a 12-day period, which they deemed lacking in wisdom and discernment.
While the department’s stance is not limited to a single program, they cited the recent 12-day suspension of ABS-CBN’s “It’s Showtime” as a glaring example of the agency’s lack of wisdom and discernment. The department contends that the penalty imposed is excessively severe.
In addition to calling for Lala Sotto’s resignation, the UP Department of Broadcast Communication criticized the MTRCB’s consistent failure to adapt to changing times and its unwarranted interventions in television programs. They argued that the agency has become obsolete in today’s media landscape.
The UP department also called for the abolition of the MTRCB, characterizing it as a regressive entity known for its propensity for censorship and high-handedness. They expressed their support for previous and current calls to abolish the agency or, alternatively, transform it into an information and media literacy organization that fosters critical, intelligent, and responsible media production and viewership.
The department argued that the MTRCB has often positioned itself as an arbiter of media morality rather than fulfilling its mission of promoting intelligent and responsible viewing. They urged the MTRCB to encourage innovation and self-regulation within the broadcast media industry.
The controversy surrounding the MTRCB centers on alleged indecent acts by ‘It’s Showtime’ hosts Vice Ganda and Ion Perez, who are real-life partners. In her defense, Lala Sotto clarified that she abstained from voting on the suspension to allow board members to exercise their independent judgment. Sotto, daughter of former Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, who hosts the competing noontime show ‘EAT,’ has faced criticism for her perceived bias.
ABS-CBN has announced its intention to file a motion for reconsideration, maintaining that no laws were violated during the broadcast of ‘It’s Showtime.’
