The rumor was fired up on Monday afternoon.
In a post on Facebook, retired Manila Bulletin entertainment editor Crispina Belen reported that ABS-CBN’s noontime variety program ‘It’s Showtime’ has received a letter from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).
According to Belen, the program has been handed out a 12-day-long suspension as penalty for the said portion. The writer adds, “from my recollection, this was the worse suspension a TV show ever received! — 12 days.”
The said suspension in line with the cake icing issue involving hosts Vice Ganda and Ion Perez during the July 25 airing of the program’s Isip Bata segment. Citing mounting viewers’ complaints, the MTRCB then issued a “notice to appear and testify” to ‘Showtime’ producers for a hearing set last July 31.
In the notice on July 31, the MTRCB deemed the actions of ViceIon during the icing scene as an alleged “indecent acts.”
In a comprehensive statement from the TV classification bureau, they confirmed the news. They also detailed that the particular scene was in violation of the Presidential Decree number 1986, which is the mandate given to the MTRCB and the allowed content to be seen on television.
Aside from that, they also revealed the instances where they have issued stern warnings to ‘It’s Showtime’ in the past. These involve the utterance of “G spot” by Jhong Hilario and Vice Ganda in January and of Vhong Navarro of the word ‘tinggil’ in June.
Meanwhile, they have also given ‘Showtime’ prior warning over Kim Chiu’s viral “p*kpek shorts” comment, as well as an “indecent attire” worn by a contestant on ‘Girl On Fire’ last February.
The board has also given ABS-CBN 15 days to file a motion for reconsideration.
ABS-CBN, in a statement, said that they have received the ruling from the MTRCB. But the network will file a Motion for Reconsideration, as they believe that they did not violate any pertinent law.
Natanggap namin ang ruling ng MTRCB na nag-uutos na isuspinde ang “It’s Showtime” sa loob ng 12 araw mula sa pinalidad ng desisyong ito.
ABS-CBN’s statement on “It’s Showtime” (September 4, 2023)
Kami ay maghahain ng Motion for Reconsideration dahil naniniwala kami na walang nangyaring paglabag sa anumang batas.
Patuloy rin kaming makikipag-ugnayan sa MTRCB para makapagpatuloy ang “It’s Showtime” sa paghahatid ng libangan at saya sa minamahal naming Madlang People.
Buong puso kaming nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng nagmamahal at sumusuporta sa “It’s Showtime.”
Despite that, the program aired as usual today. But in today’s edition of the program, host Vice Ganda dropped a cryptic joke regarding the word “suspension.” While having a banter with fellow main host Vhomg Navarro who was modulating his voice at that moment, Vice said: “Alam mo, pwede ka nang mag-announce…”
This earned a response from Navarro who asked, “ng ano?” “Suspension,” Vice quickly responded to his query. This then earned laughters from the other hosts like Jhong Hilario and the rest of the studio.
In the extro spiel, Navarro was also noted to have removed “bukas” or “tomorrow” from his usual lines at the end of the program. Instead, he only mentioned, “madlang people… mag-kita-kita tayo! This is our show, our time, It’s Showtime!”
It remains to be seen whether ‘Showtime’ will air in its usual noontime slot tomorrow or a temporary filler show will take over.