CHR urges ‘It’s Showtime’: Stop ‘inhumane, cruel’ jokes

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The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Sunday called on the management and the producers of ABS-CBN’s noontime show “It’s Showtime” to be more responsible after guests on the show made a joke on orphans.

“We call on ‘It’s Showtime’ to be more responsible in providing entertainment.  Being funny at the expense of people under less favorable circumstances is inhumane and cruel,” CHR said in statement.

In the June 7 episode of the show, talent Erin Ocampo of the show’s all-girl group made a joke about orphans during the “Purokatatawanan” segment.

Ocampo asked Jimboy Martin of the counterpart all-boy group on “how to make an ugly child.”

READ: DSWD cries foul over ‘ampon’ joke on ABS-CBN’s ‘It’s Showtime’

Martin jokingly threw the question back at Ocampo, urging her to “ask her mother about it.”  Then, Ocampo responded by telling Martin to “ask his true parents” because he is an “orphan.”

The show has since apologize for the joke.

“Being an adopted child or ‘ampon’ is not a matter of ridicule. A person’s birth circumstance does not diminish his/her dignity, nor does it define his/her personhood,” CHR said.

“The Commission advises everyone, especially the entertainment sector, to refrain from promoting discrimination against, or perpetuating the stigmatization of, persons, especially those brought about under special circumstances of less privilege,” the commission added.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development has also condemned the “offensive joke” delivered on the show. /je