Lala Sotto. Screengrab from YouTube/Cristy Ferminute
Amid remarks about her being “unfair” in addressing complaints on noontime shows “E.A.T.” and “It’s Showtime,” Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) chairperson Diorella “Lala” Sotto-Antonio maintained that no violations were committed after her parents Tito Sotto and Helen Gamboa kissed on the TV5 program.
In an interview on “Cristy Ferminute” on Wednesday, Aug. 2, Lala spoke up about the netizens’ call to look into her parents’ cheek and neck kisses in “E.A.T.’s” July 29 episode, with the MTRCB chair reiterating that the couple have always been affectionate toward each other on national TV.
Show host Cristy Fermin then asked Lala about her reaction to a certain vlogger who has been calling her out to act on complaints about her parents, but the MTRCB chair said she was not informed about this individual.
“Para po sa akin, nagsimula po ang lahat ng ito dahil sa problema na natanggap namin—at mula rin po sa monitoring inspection unit namin—which is ‘yung naging paglabag sa mga alinsunod ng MTRCB; sa paglabag ng Presidential Decree No. 1986 ng programang ‘It’s Showtime,'” Lala said.
(For me, this started after we received complaints—which were also from our monitoring inspection unit—on the violation of Presidential Decree No. 1986 by “It’s Showtime.”)
“Nakarating din po sa amin na may konti raw pong reklamo na nagsasabi na ako raw ay unfair, hindi patas dahil hindi ko raw pinapatawag ang ‘E.A.T.’ Wala pong dahilan para ipatawag ang ‘E.A.T.’ dahil hindi po sila deserving of a Notice to Appear,” she stressed.
(We were also informed that some are complaining and saying that I am unfair because I did not summon “E.A.T.” as well. There is no reason to summon “E.A.T.” producers because they are not deserving of a Notice to Appear.)
Lala said that their decision to summon the producers of “It’s Showtime” over alleged “indecent acts” by hosts Vice Ganda and Ion Perez was based on the “proliferation of complaints” as well as the recommendation of the board’s monitoring inspection unit.
“Ang binigyan namin ng Notice to Appear ay ang programang ‘Showtime,'” she stated. “Ang paglabas ng klasipikasyong PG, which is Parental Guidance, ay nagkaroon ng paglabag, lalo na’t may maliliit na bata who were physically present maliban pa sa mga batang nanonood sa kani-kanilang tahanan na wala namang bantay lahat. ‘Yun po ‘yung naging problema sa ‘Showtime.'”
(We gave “It’s Showtime” a Notice to Appear because there were violations for a program with PG rating. Furthermore, there were children who were physically present at the show and those who were watching in their homes without someone watching over them. That was the problem with “It’s Showtime.”)
Lala also noted that MTRCB follows a thorough process in assessing and verifying complaints, stressing that the organization is committed to act on complaints but that it needs complete information.
“Kailangan din nating i-practice ang spirit of fairness. Hindi naman porket may nag-complain sa isang show—marami naman kaming nare-receive na complaints sa mga show na katapat ng ‘E.A.T.’ but lahat ‘yon kailangan i-assess, at hindi naman lahat ‘yon ay pinapalaki o binibigyan ng notice,” she said.
(We also need to practice the spirit of fairness. We cannot act on all complaints—we have been receiving a lot of complaints on “E.A.T.’s” counterparts, but we need to assess them, and not all complaints should be given a notice.)
Lala further underscored that she believes Tito and Helen serve as a good example for married couples, and that there are no grounds for the regulatory board to summon the management of “E.A.T.”
“Malinaw na walang anumang hindi angkop na nangyari sa binanggit na kilos ng aking mga magulang sa programang ‘E.A.T.’ Wala rin po silang nilabag na alituntunin at gabay ng MTRCB kaya’t hindi po dapat bigyan ng Notice to Appear, at hindi dapat ipatawag ang ‘E.A.T.,'” she maintained.
(It is clear that there was nothing inappropriate about my parents’ actions on “E.A.T.” They did not violate any MTRCB guidelines so they should not be given a Notice to Appear, and there is no reason to summon the producers of “E.A.T.”)
“Dahil isa po sa mandato ng MTRCB is to deliver Filipino family value-based media and entertainment, kaya naniniwala at maninidigan ako na ang aking mga magulang ay napakabuting ehemplo ng isang matinong marriage, o pagsasamang punong-puno ng pagmamahal,”
(One of the mandates of MTRCB is to deliver Filipino family value-based media and entertainment. That’s why I believe and I firmly stand by my belief that my parents are a good example of a good marriage and a relationship filled with love.)
‘Very tolerant’ of ‘Showtime’
Lala then stressed that MTRCB has been “very tolerant” and “understanding” toward “It’s Showtime,” disclosing that the organization has already given the noontime show several stern warnings.
“Ang programang ‘Showtime’—I hope they don’t take it personally, lalo na ‘yung kanilang mga supporters—I believe the board has been very tolerant,” Lala said. “Napakahaba po ng aming pisi. Kung alam niyo lang, ilang notices na po ang aming ipinadala sa kanila.”
(The program “It’s Showtime”—I hope they don’t take it personally, especially their supporters—I believe the board has been very tolerant. We have been very patient. If you only knew how many notices we have sent to them.)
Lala added that the show committed violations relating to language as well as a “nip slip.” While Lala opted not to expound on the matter, it can be recalled that actress-dancer Regine Tolentino earlier suffered from a wardrobe malfunction during a dance performance on “It’s Showtime.”
“Hindi naman namin sila binigyan ng Notice to Appear para d’yan because like I’ve said, I’ve been very tolerant, very understanding and patient,” Lala stated. (We did not give them Notice to Appear for all of these because like I’ve said, I’ve been very tolerant, very understanding and patient.)
“Ngayon po, ito ay hindi po namin pwedeng palampasin,” she stressed. “Magalit na kung sinong magagalit.” (But this time, we cannot let this pass. Let them be angry.) /ra