‘TV talents should educate themselves’

GRACE Poe-Llamanzares PHOTO BY LYN RILLON

MANILA, Philippines—The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) said the 30-day suspension of TV5 game show “Willing Willie” should be a “wake-up call” for the local TV industry.

But the camp of program host Willie Revillame was quick to point out that the decision did not declare him guilty of “child abuse or exploitation” as widely alleged, following an episode where a 6-year-old boy performed a “macho dance.”

Noel del Prado, adjudication committee chair, said the board’s jurisdiction was strictly administrative and did not cover the question of child abuse. In any case, the committee’s 14-page resolution asserted: “It is the responsibility of networks and talents to educate themselves [about] gender sensitivity, children and women’s rights issues, the rights of indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, senior citizens and other marginalized sectors.”

Not just ratings

In an exclusive interview with the Inquirer, board chair Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares said, “TV networks should be able to police themselves.”

Carmen Musngi, a committee member, added: “It should not be just about ratings.”

Llamanzares was sure there would be arguments about the decision. “Some people would probably want a heftier punishment. But if we didn’t credit the days when the show went on voluntary suspension, it might send the wrong signal to other networks — that the board didn’t recognize the network’s swift action to rectify a violation. We want the industry to practice self-regulation.”

“It was not just about meting out punishment,” she said. “We are offering a constructive resolution, so the incident will not be repeated.” After all, she said, protection of children is not the sole responsibility of the MTRCB. “We need to work with industry leaders and other government agencies to come up with specific guidelines.”

Llamanzares is calling for an industry summit to discuss the expansion of the current TV rating system.