Vice Ganda. Images: Screengrabs from YouTube/ABS-CBN Entertainment
Vice Ganda took a dig at the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) after making a remark about “double standards” and “mass reporting” during the Sept. 8 episode of the ABS-CBN noontime show “It’s Showtime.”
The host-comedian, along with cohosts Karylle and Jhong Hilario, was interviewing a contestant of the show’s “Tawag ng Tanghalan” segment. The contestant, named Christine, said that she is a “NBSB,” or “no boyfriend since birth,” as she was prohibited by her four brothers from dating and having a boyfriend until she’s 25.
“Sabi po kasi sa’kin ng brothers ko, mga apat po, hangga’t ‘di po ako nagte-25, bawal pong mag-jowa (My four brothers told me that I can’t have a boyfriend until I’m 25),” Cristine said.
Vice Ganda then asked the contestant if the same rule was applied on her brothers. “Pero sila, nagkajowa ba sila before 25? Nagka-girlfriend ba sila before 25 (How about them? Did they date or have a girlfriend before turning 25)?”
“Opo, minor pa po sila n’un eh (Yes, they even dated when they were minors),” Cristine said in response.
The “Praybeyt Benjamin” star appeared to sympathize with Cristine, as he pointed out that her situation can be described as a form of “double standard.”
“May mga ganyan. ‘Yung makaimpose, akala nila hindi nila ginagawa. ‘Diba? ‘Yung kapag iba mali pero kayo, hindi ninyo ginagawa? Yung pag iba, mali. Sa iba mali, pero sa inyo pwede? Double standard, diba?” Vice Ganda said as cheers erupted from the audience.
(There are people like that. Some would impose certain rules as if they wouldn’t break them. Right? When others do it, it’s wrong. But when it’s them, it’s like there’s nothing wrong with it. For others, it’s wrong. But for you, you can do it? Double standard, right?)
Viewers claimed Vice Ganda’s remarks were a seeming jab at the MTRCB which many accused of unfairly imposing a 12-day suspension on “It’s Showtime” following the host and his partner Ion Perez’s supposed “indecent acts” on the show, and use of sexual terms by other hosts.
Meanwhile, Vice Ganda also appeared to make a wisecrack at Rendon Labador whose Facebook and Google accounts were taken down after these were subsequently mass reported. Labador was the content creator who claimed to have filed a complaint against “It’s Showtime” before the MTRCB.
“Ganyan! Ituloy natin ang pag-iibigan. Tuloy-tuloy lang. Tuloy ang pag-iibigan, walang makakapigil. Ganon,” he said during the “Rampanalo” segment, before uttering his wisecrack: “Nakapag-mass report na ba lahat? Charot!”
(That’s it! Let’s continue the love. Let’s keep going. Our love will continue, no one can stop us. Just like that… Did anyone mass report us? Kidding!)
Vice Ganda’s remarks came amid the ongoing tussle of the noontime show against MRTCB, which gave them time to file a motion for reconsideration.
The MTRCB is chaired by Diorella “Lala” Sotto-Antonio, daughter of former senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, who is one of the hosts of the rival noontime show “EAT,” which airs on TV5.
Earlier, the MTRCB claimed that Sotto did not take part in the voting in order for the quasi-judicial body to practice “independent judgment.” She likewise denied unfair treatment on “It’s Showtime.” EDV