MTRCB tweets

Board 'bombarded' with complaints vs noontime show

MANILA, Philippines -- The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has summoned TV5 officials for inquiry on the gender sensitivity and decorum of its noontime program.

In its official account on micro-blogging site Twitter, the government agency said the TV5 officials concerned with "Wowowillie" have been "called for gender-sensitivity and decorum inquiry over its noontime show."

"MTRCB's jurisdiction is principally over the program, not particular personalities in a show," the agency said in another tweet.

"In calling ABC5, the MTRCB cites its MOU with the former and other networks on the Portrayal of Women in Media & Film," it added.

The order is related to the episode of "Wowowillie" aired on February 28, wherein its host Willie Revillame castigated co-host Ethel Booba on air for allegedly raising her voice at him over a joke he made about her outfit.

Earlier in the show, Revillame compared Ethel Booba's attire to actress Anne Curtis' during the latter's controversial production number on the concert variety program "ASAP" in February.

Responding to Revillame's remarks, Ethel Booba said: "Ano ito? Bakit mo kami ikino-compare doon? We’re talking about talent, not singit. Come on!"

Both hosts' banter had the term "singit" repeatedly mentioned.

Later in the program, Revillame dared Ethel Booba to resign from the show, following their alleged argument backstage. The comedienne has since announced she will no longer return to "Wowowillie."

On Friday, MTRCB said it has been "bombarded with 'GMRC' (good manners and right conduct) complaints thru social media over ABC5 noontime show."

It added that "as in all cases, the MTRCB shall endeavor to hear the side of all parties concerned."