MANILA, Philippines -- Hosts of the hit talent show “Showtime” were surprised with the month-long suspension issued by the Movie & Television Review & Classification Board (MTRCB) over the comments made by Rosanna Roces months ago.

“Nagulat ako dahil akala namin tapos na ang kaso. Ongoing pa pala. (I got surprised because we thought the case was finished. It's still ongoing),” said one of show's co-hosts, Vhong Navarro.

In its ruling, the MTRCB said Roces uttered comments against teachers that were "uncalled for" during episodes aired on January 4 and 7, 2010.

The regulating body said Roces violated its rules and regulations.

The month-long suspension also applies to "Magpasikat", the show that temporarily replaced "Showtime" when it was not on air, and other TV shows.

Navarro said he and his co-hosts were saddened by the ruling but insisted that the show will continue airing while the ABS-CBN management's motion for appeal is pending before the MTRCB.

“Makikita pa rin kami, mapapanood n'yo pa rin kami. (You will still see us, watch us),” Navarro said, adding that the cast will henceforth refrain from airing their sentiments about the MTRCB issue.

“Basta sinabihan kaming huwag munang magsalita tungkol sa kung anong nangyayari,” said Navarro.

'Decision not final'

In an official statement sent to abs-cbnNEWS.com, Bong R. Osorio, head of ABS-CBN's Corporate Communications said the MTRCB's decision is not yet final.

He said the network will appeal the decision before the Office of the President, which supervises the MTRCB Board.

Osorio said the penalty cannot be enforced yet, despite the fact that the decision states it is "effective immediately."

"The decision was not totally unexpected. The MTRCB committee hearing the case could not have contradicted the Chairman, who had earlier issued a preventive suspension order of Showtime," Osorio said.

"ABS-CBN questioned the validity of the preventive suspension order and filed a complaint with the Ombudsman against the MTRCB chairman for violation of the anti-graft and corrupt practices act."

"The MTRCB decision is not final and executory. ABS-CBN disagrees with the decision and will appeal such to the Office of the President. Meantime, SHOWTIME goes on," Osorio said in his statement.

Suspension

Last January, the MTRCB placed "Showtime" on a 20-day preventive suspension after Roces made controversial statements against teachers and co-judge Vice Ganda.

In the episode, Roces encouraged students who appeared on the show to ask questions from their teachers, instead of relying entirely on textbooks.

She went on to describe teachers as "repeaters."

"Huwag kayo makukuntento sa mga itinuturo ng libro at ng teacher. Kung magtatanong kayo, hindi masama iyon. Dahil ang mga teacher, they were just repeaters. Tinuturo lang nila kung ano ang itinuro sa kanila. Hindi na nila itinuturo kung ano ang gusto malaman ng mga bata," she said.

(If you ask questions, that's not bad. Because teachers, they're just repeaters. They just teach what was taught to them. They don't teach what the children want to know.)

Roces was also quoted on the show as saying that children should curse at their teachers.

Her co-judge on the show, Vice Ganda, later reminded the audience that there are many good teachers, and that people should not generalize when they criticize the failures of educators.