Dabarkads meet with MTRCB

TITO Sotto (left) scolded a female contestant who was being interviewed by Jose Manalo (right).

As was previously scheduled, representatives of the noontime program, “Eat Bulaga,” met with officers of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) on July 21at the government agency’s office in Quezon City.

The “fact-finding” meeting was set because of the complaints the board had received concerning the July 9 episode of the long-running show, which is produced by Tape Inc. and aired on GMA 7.

In the July 9 edition of the “Juan for All, All for Juan” segment, host Tito Sotto scolded a female winner for “drinking” with men other than her husband—a pastime that eventually led to an incident of abuse.

In various social media posts, some netizens described Sotto’s comments as “gender insensitive,” bordering on “victim-shaming.”

Eugenio Villareal, chair of the MTRCB, told the Inquirer that the show’s representatives “presented their side with regard to the alleged ‘gender-insensitive’ remarks,” during the meeting.

“Dabarkads” (pet name of the “Eat Bulaga” team) were represented by Antonio Tuviera, Tape Inc. president and chief executive officer; Malou Choa-Fagar, Tape Inc. senior vice president and chief operating officer; and Jenny Ferre, creative head, along with the company’s lawyers.

Although the board’s jurisdiction “pertains to programs and not to hosts and other show business personalities,” Sotto, who is also an incumbent senator, attended the inquiry, as well, Villareal related.

The MTRCB panel was chaired by board member Noel del Prado.

Villareal recounted that the show’s officials “answered the board’s questions … for a clear and accurate account of what transpired during the episode” mentioned in the complaints of various netizens.

Sotto told the Inquirer that the probe “went well.” He reported that the board “watched the entire episode.” The show’s reps wanted the board to “realize that the allegations were false… or unfounded, to say the least,” said Sotto.

As a result of the meeting, the program’s officials promised to “submit a letter, providing further factual details… not later than July 28.”

In the letter, the show also committed to detail “any procedures that it has already instituted, as well as additional safeguards it may adopt to promote the objectives of the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710) and the MTRCB Charter (PD 1986).”