“It’s Showtime” hosts. Image: Instagram/@praybeytbenjamin
ABS-CBN will file a motion for reconsideration after the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) suspended “It’s Showtime” for 12 airing days due to show hosts Vice Ganda and Ion Perez’s alleged “indecent acts.”
The network released a statement through its Instagram page on Monday, Sept. 4, hours after the regulatory board issued its decision to suspend the noontime show.
“We have received the ruling from MTRCB, indicating that ‘It’s Showtime’ will be suspended for a duration of 12 days from finality of the decision. We will submit a Motion for Reconsideration as we humbly maintain that there was no violation of pertinent law,” it read.
“We are also committed to working with the MTRCB to ensure that ‘It’s Showtime’ can continue to bring joy and entertainment to our noontime viewers,” it added. “We are truly grateful to the Madlang People for their unwavering love and support for ‘It’s Showtime.'”
Vice Ganda and fellow show hosts including Kim Chiu, Karylle and Amy Perez expressed their love for the show and for their “It’s Showtime” family through their respective Instagram pages.
“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity,” Vice Ganda captioned a photo of the show hosts, quoting theoretical physicist Albert Einstein.
“[‘It’s Showtime’] family, mahal ko kayong lahat!” said Chiu. “Saan man tayo dalhin, ano man ang mangyari, basta’t magkakasama tayo. Together as one!”
(“It’s Showtime” family, I love you all! Wherever this may take us and whatever happens, [what’s important is] we’re together. Together as one!”
For her part, Karylle shared Vice Ganda’s post and declared, “Nothing but love for my ‘Showtime’ family.”
Image: Instagram/@anakarylle
“Love will keep us together!” Perez wrote.
Meanwhile, ABS-CBN executive Cory Vidanes said in a message sent to “TeleRadyo Serbisyo” that “It’s Showtime” will still air on Tuesday, Sept. 5.
“Pinapa-announce lang ni Tita Cory na tuloy, meron pong ‘Showtime’ mamaya,'” show host Alvin Elchico said Tuesday morning, reading Vidanes’ text message. (Tita Cory announced that “It’s Showtime” will air later today.)
MTRCB’s decision to suspend “It’s Showtime” came over a month after the regulatory board summoned the show producers, citing complaints over couple Vice Ganda and Perez’s gestures in a segment during the noontime show’s July 25 episode.
In the assailed segment, Perez offered cake icing to his partner using his finger. Vice Ganda, with a big smile, then responded to the gesture by scooping the icing from Perez’s finger before putting it in his mouth. /ra