The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has asked the producers of the noontime show ‘It’s Showtime’ to appear for a hearing over complaints on remarks made by host Vice Ganda deemed ‘racially insensitive’ and colorist in an episode aired last week.
The review board on Tuesday, July 28, issued the summons citing the two-page notice signed by chair and chief executive officer Lala Sotto. The producers are asked to appear before the MTRCB Hearing and Adjudication Committee at the MTRCB Building on Wednesday, July 29.
The agency received several reports from viewers who cited an incident during the ‘Memerimar’ portion of the ‘Laro Laro Pick’ segment aired on July 24.
In the ‘Memerimar’ skit, Vice was shown to have spat water on the face of Baby Dolls member Johaira as his character Memerimar’s surprised reaction.
‘Anong nangyari sa’yo? Bakit nag-putik ka?’ a remark that drew criticisms from netizens who saw it as a racist or colorist comment to Johaira’s darker complexion.
Apart from this incident, the complaint also listed a lugaw scene between Vice and his real-life partner and co-host Ion Perez.
The host issued an apology the day after, July 25, for the jokes said during the July 24 episode of ‘It’s Showtime.’
MTRCB said the allegations raised concerns as to whether the show complied with Section 3(c) of Presidential Decree No. 1986, which ‘prohibits the exhibition of TV programs that are contrary to the law, good customs, public order, public morals, or are otherwise objectionable.’