The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has slapped a 12-day suspension on ABS-CBN’s noontime program, “It’s Showtime!”, over the supposed “indecent” actions of its hosts in a recent episode.
In a statement Monday (September 4), MTRCB said it received several complaints regarding “It’s Showtime’s” July 25 episode, where real-life couple Vice Ganda and Ion Perez ate cake.
The board said the suspension will last for 12 airing days. ABS-CBN can appeal the decision within 15 days of receiving a hard copy of the ruling.
MTRCB said two warnings have been issued to “It’s Showtime!” this year over the “inappropriate utterance” of certain words before imposing a stiffer sanction.
The board mentioned in particular the mention of the word, “G Spot” by Vice and Jhong Hilario in the January 24 episode, and Vhong Navarro’s remark about “tinggil” (clitoris) on June 3 as the bases for the warnings.
“Respondents (ABS-CBN and ZBNI) were sternly warned by the Board that a similar utterance will be dealt with more severely,” MTRCB recalled.
“It’s Showtime!” airs on A2Z, the free television channel of Zoe Broadcasting Network Inc., and GMA Network’s GTV.
In 2010, MTRCB suspended “It’s Showtime!” for 20 days.