Joey de Leon. Image: Instagram/@angpoetnyo
MANILA, Philippines — The management of noontime show “EAT” has apologized for the “lubid” joke made by one of one its main hosts, Joey de Leon, over the weekend.
This was revealed on Wednesday while the Senate finance subcommittee led by Senator Jinggoy Estrada was discussing the proposed budget of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) for 2024.
When Estrada raised the issue during the hearing, MTRCB chairperson Diorella “Lala” Sotto-Antonio informed the committee that the EAT management had already submitted a letter of apology to her office. Incidentally, Sotto is the daughter of former Sen. Tito Sotto III, who is also one of the hosts of “EAT.”
“The EAT production voluntarily appeared before the MTRCB on Monday with an apology letter (and) to enter into a dialogue with Atty. (Paulino) Cases, the chairman of the adjudication committee,” she said.
A copy of the letter was later released to the media by the office of Estrada.
Document from the Office of Senator Jinggoy Estrada
In the letter, the “EAT” management explained what transpired during the Gimme5 segment of the show last September 23.
“During the said incident, Mr. Joey De Leon suggested “lubid” (rope) as an answer to a question regarding things that may be worn around the neck. He conveyed this verbally in a very brief manner without further actions, elaborations or demonstrations,” the group said.
“However, some viewers interpreted the utterance of the object to be an insinuation of suicide, which is a very sensitive and triggering subject… In this regard, the whole EAT management is regretful and apologetic to those who were offended by the utterance. Rest assured that we are one with MTRCB in advocating a responsible viewing experience for the public,” it further said.
Before this, Estrada asked the MTRCB if there was a violation committed by the host. The senator admitted he no longer watches any noontime show so he did not personally see or hear De Leon’s joke.
But Cases, who was also present in the hearing, said they could not answer the question now as they have already taken cognizance of the complaints lodged in the their office. EDV