The board has issued its decision.
On Thursday, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) publicized their decision regarding the appeal of noontime show ‘It’s Showtime’ over the 12-day-long suspension ordered by the agency last August 17 and released last September 4.
In the resolution dated today, September 28, the MTRCB said that they have denied “the Motions for Reconsideration submitted by ABS-CBN Corporation and GMA Network, Inc.” GMA owns GTV, where the channel has been simulcasting since last July. As such, “the Board’s Decision dated 17 August 2023 is affirmed.”
The suspension stems from the ‘Isip Bata’ segment that aired last July 25, 2023. In the said episode, hosts Vice Ganda and Ion Perez ate the icing from a cake. In MTRCB’s view, the real-life couple, as well as fellow host Ryan Bang “allegedly acted inappropriately in the presence of children, which is alleged to have violated Section 3 (c) of Presidential Decree No. 1986 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.”
With the issuance of this decision, the ‘It’s Showtime’ team now has 15 days to appeal the MTRCB’s adjudication to the Office of the President. However, there is another possible roadblock for them.
Weeks ago, Presidential Adviser for Legal Affairs Juan Ponce Enrile, whose office is where the appeal might be submitted to, made remarks regarding the issue. Enrile called host Vice Ganda as “bastos” and is not “thinking of other people.”
ABS-CBN has also responded to the denial of their motion for reconsideration. Via their flagship newscast “TV Patrol,” here is what the company said.
We have received the decision of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board denying our Motion for Reconsideration regarding “It’s Showtime” and are currently exploring all our remedies and options.
ABS-CBN’s Statement on MTRCB’s decision regarding “It’s Showtime” (September 28, 2023)
In the meantime, since the imposed suspension is not yet final and executory, we would like to reassure our audiences that “It’s Showtime” will continue to be seen on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, and GTV. It is also available on Kapamilya Online Live, iWantTFC, and TFC.
We are truly grateful for the unwavering love and support that we have received from our viewers. We remain committed to bringing joy and inspiration to our beloved Madlang People.
With that, the noontime variety program will remain on air in the forseeable future.