ABS-CBN has decided not to appeal the 12-airing-day suspension meted on its popular noontime show “It’s Showtime” by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), the media giant said last night in a statement.
Earlier this month, MTRCB announced the suspension, which will begin October 14, after several viewers lodged multiple complaints about the midday variety show’s July 25 episode, where hosts allegedly acted in an indecent manner in the “Isip Bata” segment.
“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 October 14,” the network said.
“We respect the authority of MTRCB, but we humbly maintain that the program did not break any pertinent law. Our heartfelt thanks to our viewers for their unwavering love and support for ‘It’s Showtime,’ which will return on October 28 stronger and better than ever,” it added.
The show airs daily except Sundays, hence will not show new episodes for two weeks.
The MTRCB on Thursday denied the motion for reconsideration filed by “It’s Showtime.”
“Said MRs sought relief from the Board’s ruling dated August 17, 2023, regarding the July 25, 2023 episode of the live noontime television program ‘It’s Showtime!’ Specifically, during the show’s ‘Isip Bata’ segment, in which hosts Ryan Bang, Vice Ganda and Ion Perez allegedly acted indecently or inappropriately in the presence of children,” MTRCB wrote in a resolution.
“In view of which, the Board’s Decision dated 17 August 2023 is affirmed,” it said.
The suspension was not yet final and executory as ABS-CBN and GMA Network, which started airing “It’s Showtime” on GTV on July 1, could still have filed an appeal before the Office of the President within15 days.
The networks could also have raised their motion to the Court of Appeals and to the Supreme Court.