12/09/2023
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) said in a statement on Tuesday that the suspension of "It’s Showtime" was a unanimous vote among the board members, even with Chairperson Lala Sotto inhibiting herself from voting.
“On 29 August 2023, during its regular board meeting, the Board unanimously voted on the suspension of the said program. This decision was made with careful consideration of prior warnings and offenses associated with the show,” MTRCB said in a statement.
The MTRB said a special board meeting was held to address adjudicated cases, including the July 25, 2023 episode.
The board said Sotto inhibited from voting so that members could judge independently. She is the daughter of Tito Sotto, one of the three former hosts of noontime show "Eat Bulaga," and now of "E.A.T."
On July 31, MTRCB summoned the show's producers to explain the alleged ‘indecent acts’ of hosts Ion Perez and real life partner, Vice Ganda, in the "Isip Bata" episode that aired on July 25, where the two hosts were seen exchanging and licking icings of cake.
On Monday, the MTRCB suspended the noontime variety show for 12 airing days.
“Viewers have lodged multiple complaints before the MTRCB concerning the show’s 25 July 2023 episode wherein the program’s hosts allegedly acted in an indecent manner during one of its segments, ‘Isip Bata,'" MTRCB said.
The decision of MTRCB to suspend "It’s Showtime" received mixed reactions from the public.
The review body said the noontime show's producers can file an appeal within 15 days after receipt of the decision. They can also raise the issue at the Office of the President within 15 days from the receipt of the MTRCB decision on the appeal.