MTRCB Chair Eugenio Villareal
The issue’s relevance has become urgent with the controversy caused by comedian Vice Ganda (who should appropriately be called Vice Vulgar), whose May 17 concert was made available to TV cable subscribers through pay-per-view.
In that concert, Vice Vulgar made tasteless jokes on Soho’s weight and said that if she were a boldstar, it would have to be gang rape.
Villareal said late last year, long before the Vice Vulgar’s offensive joke on respected broadcaster Jessica Soho, he met with officials of cable companies. They were asked to submit their inputs to help guide the government agency on whatever decision or regulation they will release. “We want to come out with something that is fair for the audience and fair for media,” he said.
Pay- per- view is a new thing for MTRCB. It used to be that pay- per-view was associated only with sports events like Manny Pacquiao’s boxing matches. Vice Vulgar’s concert was only the second for ABS-CBN. The first was the concert of Daniel Padilla.
Many are opting for pay-per-view instead of going to the concert site because for P399, as ABS-CBN’s press release touted, the subscriber can “share laughs with your family and friends….”
That’s where the problem is because MTRCB is mandated by law (Presidential Decree 1986) “ To screen, review and examine all motion pictures …, television programs, including publicity materials such as advertisements, trailers and stills, whether such motion pictures and publicity materials be for theatrical or non-theatrical distribution, for television broadcast or for general viewing, imported or produced in the Philippines, and in the latter case, whether they be for local viewing or for export…”
The concert of Vice Vulgar brought out one disturbing development: the migration of comedy bar humor to television.
“It is a concern to us,” said Villareal, who recognizes the role of MTRCB in the molding of values of children and society.
Villareal is pursuing the program started by his predecessor, now Senator-elect Grace Poe, Matalinong Panood Para SA Pamilya ni Juan at Juana, “to empower the public and to protect the welfare of the viewers especially the children, women, PWDs, and elders as regards the media and entertainment they see.”
Villareal said usually comedy bar humor “hinges on okrayan. You ostracize. It’s insult top to bottom. “
Comedy bar humor relies on spontaneity, he said adding that “because of the intimate and exclusive audience, there’s a lot of sexually- charged jokes.”
MTRCB has no jurisdication over the Araneta Coliseum concert but it was shown on TV via pay- per- view. If it’s decided that MTRCB has jurisdiction over pay- per- view shows, can the board make Vice Vulgar and ABS-CBN accountable for violation of the Magna Carta of Women (Republic Act 9710)?
Section 19 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Magna Carta of Women is “Non-discriminatory and Non-derogatory Portrayal of Women in Media and Film.”
Section A states that “The dignity of women and their roles and contributions in all spheres of private and public life shall be promoted. The portrayal of women in a discriminatory, demeaning and/or derogatory manner in advertisements, shows and programs is not allowed. It shall not induce, encourage and/or condone violence against women in any form and/or the violation of their human rights. The PCW, in coordination with concerned agencies and media organizations, shall formulate media guidelines to protect women against discrimination in media and film.”