The board has taken note of the complaints from the public.
Through a statement issued on Tuesday, July 28, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) fomrally announced its response to the controversial scenes on ABS-CBN and GMA’s noontime variety program It’s Showtime last July 24.
Specifically, the Memerimar skit during the Laro-Laro Pick segment, which caused an uproar on social media after viewers and members of the public deemed the scene between Vice Ganda and Baby Dolls member as “insensitive,” with others even calling it as far as “racist.”
The scene in question was Vice’s character Memerimar interaction with Baby Dolls member Johaira, one of the Muchacha (housemaids) of Alejandro (Ion Perez).
The dynamics between Memerimar and Johaira are that of enemies, with their first interaction starting with the latter calling the former as “chaka” (“ugly” in gay lingo).
As the segment progressed, Vice, who was drinking water at that time, acted “shocked” by Ion’s supposedly sudden entry and spat out the water right onto Johaira and some other Baby Dolls.
But what caught the attention of viewers and other members of the public were Vice’s succeeding remarks to Johaira, where she said: “Ano’ng nangyari sa’yo? Bakit nag-putik ka?”
Citing “multiple complaints” that allegedly contained “inappropriate scenes and racially insensitive and colorist remarks,” the MTRCB issued a two-page notice to appear to the producers of It’s Showtime.
The agency said it received numerous complaints about the episode from “concerned citizens regarding the actions of TV host and comedian Vice Ganda,” which was also noted in a report from the agency’s Monitoring and Inspection Unit (MIU).
“The notice, signed by MTRCB Chair and CEO Lala Sotto by authority of the MTRCB Board, directed respondents GMA Network Inc. and ABS-CBN Corporation, through their duly authorized representatives and/or counsel, to appear before the MTRCB Hearing and Adjudication Committee at the MTRCB Building on 29 July 2026, Wednesday, at 10:30 a.m. for a hearing on the said complaints,” the MTRCB added.
Apart from the said scene with Johaira, the board also cited a “lugaw” scene featuring Vice Ganda and husband Ion Perez, which happened later in the skit.
In its notice to appear, the MTRCB said these allegations raised concerns as to whether It’s Showtime complied with Section 3(c) of Presidential Decree No. 1986.
The said rule prohibits the “exhibition of TV programs that are contrary to law, good customs, public order, public morals, or are otherwise objectionable.”
The MTRCB , however, also took note of the public apology made Vice Ganda before the end of the episode last Saturday, July 25, where she addressed the backlash.
During the day, she said, “Nakarating po sa aming kaalaman na may mga Madlang People po na hindi nagustuhan o na offend sa ilan sa aming jokes o biruan dito sa Showtime pati na rin sa ginagawa namin sa Memerimar.”
“They found the jokes offensive or insensitive… the last thing we want is to displease you o hindi mapasaya ang aming Madlang People. Kaya naman ina-acknowledge namin ang inyong sentimyento at humihingi po kami ng paumanhin sa inyo and we will try to do better. Maraming maraming salamat po,” added the main host.
ABS-CBN, GMA, and It’s Showtime have not yet issued a statement regarding the summons from the MTRCB.
