ABS-CBN has announced its next move for the Kapamilya program.
In a statement issued on Friday, October 6, ABS-CBN said that they have decided to no longer appeal the 12-day suspension order set by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) against their noontime show “It’s Showtime.”
According to the network, “After careful consideration, ABS-CBN has decided to no longer appeal to the Office of the President the decision of MTRCB on “It’s Showtime” and instead serve the 12-day suspension starting October 14.”
“We respect the authority of the MTRCB, but we humbly maintain that the program did not break any pertinent law,” the network reiterated.
The statement continued, “Our heartfelt thanks to our viewers for their unwavering love and support for “It’s Showtime,” which will return on October 28 stronger and better than ever.”
Expressing gratitude to their viewers, ABS-CBN ended with “Maraming salamat, Madlang People.”
The 12-day suspension order was first issued by the MTRCB last month after the board deliberated on the controversial July 25 segement of ‘Isip Bata,’ where hosts Vice Ganda and Ion Perez ate the icing from a cake using their own fingers.
ABS-CBN and GTV owner GMA Network, Inc. filed for Motions for Reconsiderations, but both were ultimately denied last September 28.
The supposed next course of action was for “It’s Showtime” to file another appeal before the Office of the President, which had effectively been not pursued by ABS-CBN with their decision.
Currently, there is still no news with regards to the temporary replacement show of “Showtime”. But rumors suggest that a noontime show titled “It’s Your Lucky Day” hosted by Luis Manzano, Melai Cantiveros, and Robi Domingo will fill the airwaves from October 14 to 27, 2023. ABS-CBN has yet to confirm or deny the said news.
This new suspension by the MTRCB is the second in “It’s Showtime’s” 14-year-long history. In 2010, the reviewing body sanctioned what was then-morning talent competition “Showtime” after guest judge Rosanna Roces aired her tirades against teachers during a live episode on January 7, 2010.
A filler program by way of “Magpasikat” featuring all hosts was aired. Days after, a temporary restraining order from the Court of Appeals versus the the MTRCB’s suspension enabled “Showtime” to return on January 19, that same year.
“It’s Showtime” will air as usual on Saturday, October 7, and from Monday, October 9 through Friday, October 13 on Kapamilya platforms, A2Z, and GTV.