Movie and Television Review and Classification Board chairperson Lala Sotto revealed that they already sent several ‘warnings’ to the producers of It’s Showtime even before the cake issue happened.
In an interview with Cristy Fermin, Lala said that, unlike E.A.T, It’s Showtime had already been flagged by MTRCB several times but they chose to only send ‘stern warning’.
One example of the stern warning they sent to It’s Showtime was the wardrobe malfunction that happened during Regine Tolentino’s performance on the noontime show.
It can be recalled that MTRCB didn’t mention It’s Showtime’s name during their memorandum.
“Ang programang Showtime, I hope you don’t take it personally lalo na ‘yung kanilang mga supporter dahil ako ay lumaki sa isang noontime show,” she said.
“Naiintindihan ko po ‘yan, that is why I believe that the board has been tolerant, napakahaba po ng aming pisi.. Kung alam niyo po lang ay napakadami ng notice ang pinadala namin sa kanila.
“Nakailang warning narin sila dahil mayroon silang mga violation sa lengwahe, paulit-ulit po ‘yon.. May nipslip pa, hindi naman binigyan ng notice to appear para diyan because like I’ve said, I’ve been very tolerate, I’ve been very understanding and patient. Ngunit binibigyan sila ng warning at stern warning.
“Ngayon eto po ay hindi po namin palalampasin, magalit na kung sino ang magagalit,”
She also explained the process being undergone by the complaints they were receiving.
“Mayroon kaming sariling sistema, because we are to follow a due process,” Lala explained. “So halimbawa may natanggap kaming complaint, kailangan pang i-assess at i-verify ng aming monitoring inspection unit dahil hindi naman po basta magco-complain lang ay ibig sabihin ay may katotohanan na o may paglabag na.”
“Pagkatapos ng pagve-verify ang aming monitoring inspection unit o ang MIU ay magkakaroon sariling assessment and they will it refer this to the office of the chairman, nakakarating po sa akin.
“Pagkatapos po sa akin ito po ay idederekto sa legal affairs division.. pagkatapos ng legal affairs division mapupunta ito sa adjutication committee if it deserves a notice to appear or a dialog with the producers.
She made it clear that they would only invite the producers of the show and not the hosts.