MTRCB suspends ‘It’s Showtime’ on September 04, 2023 for 12 airing days for allegedly failing to uphold the Implementation of the Rules and Regulations of the P.D. No. 1986. The decision comes after the board received multiple complaints of “indecent manner” on the July 25, 2023 episode of the segment “Isip Bata.”
MTRCB Suspends ‘It’s Showtime’
On July 31, 2023, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) summoned an authorized representative of the noontime show It’s Showtime over “indecent” scenes shown in the show on its July 25, 2023 airing.
MTRCB claims that the actions exhibited by fellow hosts Vice Ganda and Ion Perez were inappropriate, especially during the segment “Isip Bata” where they work alongside children. The summon required the hosts to explain to the board numerous complaints.
Aside from the “indecent” cake-eating scene, the board also pointed out some instances when the hosts failed to uphold the rules and regulations set by MTRCB. On January 24, 2023, hosts Jhong Hilario and Vice Ganda uttered the word “G-spot” on air.
Meanwhile, another case is due to Vhong Navarro mentioning the word “tinggil” on national television on June 03, 2023. Both instances violate the Implementation of Rules and Regulations under P.D. No. 1986—audience classification based on theme, language, nudity, and violence.
Dismissed Complaints vs. “It’s Showtime”
Apart from the cases mentioned by MTRCB, other complaints also include the “Rampanalo” segment where two hosts needed to catch paper bills by putting their lips together. Another is the issue of “macho dancing” on air, nip slips, and the inappropriate wearing of the Barong.
What Happens to It's Showtime?
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) is a quasi-judicial agency under the Office of the President. They are responsible for reviewing and classifying television programs, movies, and publicity materials based on theme, language, nudity, and violence.
However, the MTRCB only has jurisdiction over television programs, movies, and publicity materials. Therefore, with the rise of online media and the people having access to the internet, It’s Showtime might still air on YouTube—its platform after ABS-CBN was denied a franchise renewal.
Meanwhile, since the suspension is not a first for It’s Showtime, they can recreate the solution they had when MTRCB also suspended the show in 2010. For a week, “It’s Showtime” rebranded to “Magpasikat” to still continue airing despite the suspension.
