It comes after a hearing was conducted by the board with producers of the noontime show.
On Wednesday, July 29, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) met with representatives and legal counsels from the noontime variety program It’s Showtime.
Also complying with the Board’s Hearing and Adjudication Committee Notice to Appear were those from ABS-CBN Corporation, GMA Network Inc., Zoe Broadcasting Network, Inc. (A2Z), and ALLTV.
The said hearing was in relation to the controversial Memerimar skit that aired last July 24 involving main host Vice Ganda and mainstays Ion Perez and Baby Dolls’ Johaira.
According to a previous letter, the MTRCB 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).
According to the board, during the hearing, “all parties were given the opportunity to be heard” regarding issues that stemmed from the said episode.
“As part of due process, the Board listened to the explanations presented and reiterated its mandate under Presidential Decree No. 1986 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) to ensure that TV programming remains fully compliant with broadcast standards,” it added.
The MTRCB also said that the Board is also fully committed to promoting responsible viewership and that it values the public’s feedback.
“Grounded in the principle of parens patriae, the MTRCB shares with its stakeholders the responsibility of protecting and guiding young Filipino viewers,” the agency furthered.
Meanwhile, following the said hearing, the committee composed of Committee Chair Board Member Atty. Ricardo “Jojo” Salomon Jr., and members Atty. Pedro Cesar Gabriel “Chet” Solidum and Wilma Galvante issued a directive to the respondents.
According to the MTRCB, the parties are directed to file a Joint Position Paper within seven (7) calendar days from receipt of the order, in accordance with the rules and procedures.
Moreover, they are also required to submit a Joint Undertaking, which outlines concrete measures to strengthen compliance with MTRCB standards—particularly in relation to live, improvised, and comedy segments.
Respondents were also instructed to designate an “On-Air Compliance Officer,” who shall then be authorized to “monitor live broadcasts and immediately intervene, when necessary,” to prevent potential violations of MTRCB rules and regulations.
“The case remains pending and shall be resolved after the Committee’s evaluation of the parties’ submissions and the evidence on record, in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and due process,” the agency expressed.
Currently, the matter is still “under consideration,” it told, with the Board refraining from making any further statement that may prejudge its final disposition.
It’s Showtime, ABS-CBN, and the other parties have not issued any statement regarding the matter.
