Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 31) — The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) on Monday said it summoned the producers of noontime show “It’s Showtime” to explain the alleged “indecent acts” done during a segment last week.
The MTRCB said it issued a Notice to Appear and Testify to the show’s producers “over complaints concerning scenes that portrayed alleged indecent acts by hosts Vice Ganda and Ion Perez during the variety show’s ‘Isip Bata’ segment, which aired last July 25, 2023 on channels GTV and A2Z DZOZ/DZOE 11.”
“Said scene is in violation of Section 3 (c) Presidential Decree No. 1986. The hearing date is scheduled on July 31, 2023, 10:00 am at the MTRCB Office in Timog Avenue, Quezon City,” it added.
In the “Isip Bata” segment, the hosts will ask a question and will provide players with four choices, which came from answers from a survey conducted among children. Audience members will line up in their options.
The segment also features child guests called “Batang Cute-po” who also comment on the question.
In the July 25 episode, the question was “Anong masarap simutin gamit ang daliri?” (What food is best to finish using fingers?) Choices provided were melted chocolate, crumbs of chips, gravy, and icing.
Perez presented the icing and licked it from his finger.
Perez then shared the icing with his partner comedian Vice Ganda, who scooped the icing from Perez’s finger before consuming it.
ABS-CBN posted the clip on its social media platforms, calling it a “sweet moment” of the two hosts. However, it drew mixed reactions on social media.
Producers of “It’s Showtime” and ABS-CBN have yet to release a statement.
