The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board on Tuesday issued a 14-day preventive suspension order on two shows on Sonshine Media Network International “to prevent further violations or protect the interest and welfare of the public.”
The two shows – “Gikan Sa Masa, Para Sa Masa” and “Laban Kasama ang Bayan” – were suspended effective Dec. 18.
The MTRCB said it issued a warning to SMNI that similar incidents will be dealt with more sternly. The television network committed to pre-record and review episodes before airing.
The “Gikan Sa Masa, Para Sa Masa” was halted after former President Rodrigo Duterte threatened ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro in October and November.
Castro on Tuesday welcomed the suspension order, saying it was “long overdue.”
“But at last now something has been done to curtail the constant red-tagging, spreading of disinformation and threatening of individuals using these two shows as well as the network,” she said.
“Hopefully this marks the start of SMNI and the people behind it being made accountable. The authorities should look into the pattern and consistent red-tagging, terrorist-labelling for longer and more decisive measures,” the lawmaker added.
Castro earlier filed a grave threat complaint against Duterte after the latter gave on-air advice to his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, about how she could use intelligence and confidential funds allocated to her office and the education department, which she also heads.
“Your first target with your intelligence fund is you, you France.
Tell her, ‘It is you communists who I want to kill,’” Duterte said in the interview that was reshared thousands of times on Facebook. It was later deleted from SMNI’s Facebook page.
Meanwhile, the suspension of the show “Laban Kasama ang Bayan” came after anchors Jeffrey Celiz and Lorraine Badoy claimed Speaker Martin Romualdez spent P1.8 billion in travel expenses in a year.
The House has rejected the false information and SMNI host Celiz has since admitted he was wrong.
“Upon careful review and consideration of recent events and complaints received by the Board, it was found that certain aspects of the abovementioned programs may have violated the established guidelines and standards set by Presidential Decree No. 1986 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations governing broadcasting content,” MTRCB said.
“To prevent the possible repetition of these alleged infractions which may pose a negative impact on public welfare, ethical considerations, and the overall reputation of the broadcasting industry, the Board determined the need to preventively suspend the subject program/s.”