The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) is investigating complaints regarding alleged racist and inappropriate jokes made in a skit during the “Laro Laro Pick” segment of the noontime variety show It’s Showtime. The program’s producers and host Vice Ganda have been summoned to explain the jokes.
“Concerned citizens called out Vice Ganda’s alleged racist, colorist remarks and a ‘lugaw’ scene featuring Vice Ganda and Ion Perez,” the agency said in a statement issued on July 28. The statement also mentioned a two-page notice that directed representatives of GMA Network Inc. and ABS-CBN Corporation to attend a hearing on “countless letter complaints.” The hearing is scheduled on Wednesday, July 29.
The agency also noted that Vice Ganda issued a public apology for the jokes on July 25.
“They found the jokes offensive or insensitive […] the last thing we want is to displease you o hindi mapasaya ang aming Madlang People,” the host said. “Kaya naman in-a-acknowledge namin ang inyong saloobin at humihingi po kami ng paumanhin sa inyo and we will try to do better.”
One of the controversial jokes from the “Memerimar” skit involves Vice Ganda spitting water on Johaira, a member of the girl group Baby Dolls, and saying, “Anong nangyari sa ‘yo? Bakit nagputik ka?” Audiences saw the joke as a pointed remark on Johaira’s skin color.
At another point in the skit, Perez, a co-host and Vice Ganda’s boyfriend, poured lugaw from a plastic bag on his partner’s mouth, which audiences interpreted as an allusion to oral sex.
MTRCB is investigating whether the jokes violated a presidential decree “prohibiting the exhibition of TV programs that are contrary to law, good customs, public order, public morals, or are otherwise objectionable.”
Frequently Asked Questions
MTRCB is investigating complaints over an allegedly racist, colorist skit in the “Laro Laro Pick” segment, including remarks toward Johaira of Baby Dolls and a lugaw joke with Ion Perez.
Vice Ganda spat water on Johaira and asked why she looked “nagputik,” which audiences read as mocking her skin color, prompting the MTRCB complaints.
Yes. On July 25, Vice Ganda publicly apologized, acknowledging viewers found the jokes offensive and saying the cast would “try to do better.”
The MTRCB hearing is scheduled for July 29, with representatives from ABS-CBN Corporation and GMA Network Inc. directed to attend and respond to the complaints.
MTRCB is assessing whether the skit violated a presidential decree barring TV content that is contrary to law, good customs, public order, public morals, or otherwise objectionable.
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