MTRCB imposes 14-day suspension on 2 SMNI shows hosted by Duterte, Badoy, and Celiz
Two shows under Sonshine Media Network Inc. (SMNI) have been put on a 14-day preventive suspension by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) after allegedly committing multiple violations in their content.
Gikan Sa Masa, Para Sa Masa got suspended effective Dec. 18 for airing foul language and death threats directed at ACT Teachers Representative France Castro. They took place in its two episodes in October and November, respectively, hosted by former President Rodrigo Duterte.
"You France, you communists that I want to kill,” Duterte said in the Oct. 10 episode. In another one the following month, he said, "Communists should be killed, you should be included.”
Laban Kasama ng Bayan has also been suspended for two weeks after its hosts, Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz, made unverified reports about Speaker Martin Romualdez's travel expenses, claiming they reached a whopping P1.8 billion. The false statement also led to the two being detained at Batasang Pambansa for one week after being cited for contempt.
The agency said in a statement that after a thorough review and investigation of the subject content, they deemed it a violation of “established guidelines and standards set by Presidential Decree 1986.”
PD 1986 allows MTRCB to regulate content "with a dangerous tendency to encourage the commission of violence or of a wrong or crime" or "which are libelous or defamatory to the good name and reputation of any person."
For her part, Rep. Castro expressed relief over the suspension as she said it was “long overdue.”
"At last, something has been done to curtail the constant red-tagging, spreading of disinformation (fake news) and threatening of individuals using these two shows as well as the network,” she said in a statement.
She added, "Hopefully this marks the start of SMNI and the people behind it being made accountable. The authorities should look into the pattern and consistent red-tagging, terrorist-labelling for longer and more decisive measures.”
SMNI counsel Atty. Mark Tolentino said that they respect MTRCB's ruling.
“We will respect the decision of MTRCB re preventive suspension,” he told GMA News in a statement, adding, “Pinag-aralan pa namin ano next legal remedy namin sa SMNI.”