ABS-CBN yields to MTRCB's suspension of 'It's Showtime' beginning Oct. 14
ABS-CBN has yielded to the decision of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to suspend its noontime program, It's Showtime, for 12 airing days..
The entertainment company announced its decision in a statement released on Friday, Oct. 6, saying, "After careful consideration, ABS-CBN has decided not to appeal to the Office of the President the decision of the MTRCB on It's Showtime and instead serve the 12-day suspension starting Oct. 14."
Despite this, ABS-CBN stressed that it is firm in its belief that the show did not violate any law which, according to MTRCB, is Section 3 (c) of Presidential Decree No. 1986 and the board's Implementing Rules and Regulations.
“We respect the authority of MTRCB, but we humbly maintain that the program did not break any pertinent law,” ABS-CBN added.
“Our heartfelt thanks to our viewers for their unwavering love and support for It's Showtime, which will return on October 28 and better than ever."
MTRCB issued the suspension order to It's Showtime on Sept. 4 after receiving multiple complaints concerning the show's July 25 episode, where hosts Vice Ganda and Ion Perez allegedly “acted in an indecent manner” during its "Isip Bata" segment.
The show's producer, ABS-CBN Corporation, on the same day, retaliated with a Motion for Reconsideration on the belief that "there was no violation of pertinent law."
Three weeks later, on Sept. 28, MTRCB denied GMA Network and ABS-CBN's Motion for Reconsideration, with MTRCB chairman Lala Sotto previously stating that the media companies did not follow through with a discussion with the board during the 15-day period it has granted them.
On the same day, ABS-CBN released a statement saying that it is "exploring all remedies and options" with regards to the suspension of It's Showtime.
With the company's acceptance of MTRCB's decision, It's Showtime will no longer be available for watching and streaming on television channels Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, and GTV as well as social media platforms Kapamilya Online Live, iWANTTFC, and TFC, until Oct. 28.