MTRCB suspends SMNI shows of Duterte, Badoy

MANILA, Philippines — The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has imposed a 14-day preventive suspension order on two programs of the Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) that feature former president Rodrigo Duterte and his former administration official Lorraine Badoy.

The MTRCB yesterday said it issued a suspension order on “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” and “Laban Kasama ang Bayan” that became effective last Monday.

The agency said the suspension was a result of a “thorough review and investigation” on supposed violations on the show’s aired content.

“Upon careful review and consideration of recent events and complaints received by the board, it was found that certain aspects of the above-mentioned programs may have violated the established guidelines and standards set by Presidential Decree 1986 and its implementing rules and regulations governing broadcasting content,” the MTRCB said in a statement.

It added that it received multiple complaints regarding an alleged death threat made on the show “Gikan sa Masa,” but did not directly name Duterte as the guest.

SMNI had committed to pre-recording and reviewing episodes, but another complaint on alleged death threats and profane language was filed regarding another episode last month.

Meanwhile, “Laban Kasama ang Bayan” was suspended over an unverified report claiming that Speaker Martin Romualdez has travel funds amounting to P1.8 billion.

Badoy and co-anchor Jeffrey Celiz were recently detained at the House of Representatives after they were cited in contempt over the unverified report.

‘Castro: Long overdue

House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro welcomed the suspension.

“This suspension is long overdue, but at last, now something has been done to curtail the constant red[1]tagging, spreading of disinformation (fake news) and threatening of individuals using these two shows as well as the network,” Castro said in a statement.

She expressed hope that this MTRCB decision “marks the start of SMNI and the people behind it being accountable.”

“The authorities should look into the pattern and consistent red tagging, terrorist-labeling for longer and more decisive measures,” the lawmaker said.

Castro earlier filed grave threat charges against Duterte over an alleged death threat he uttered on Gikan sa Masa.

Militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) yesterday also welcomed the MTRCB’s decision.

The agency’s action is a vindication of Bayan’s complaints against SMNI’s alleged red-tagging and dis[1]information, according to the group’s chairman Teodoro Casiño.

“I hope that the MTRCB also considers the many other incidents when these two shows spewed false and defamatory content, including death threats and malicious imputations of serious crimes against innocent people,” Casiño said in a statement.

The former lawmaker on Monday filed a P2.1-million suit against Badoy and Celiz who he said have “falsely, maliciously and repeatedly” accused him of being involved in terrorism and rebellion.

Casiño said the lies and incitement against him and other activists, government critics and members of the opposition are much worse than the incidents cited by the MTRCB.

He added that the regulatory body could use their complaints as basis in reviewing the violations of the hosts and SMNI.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines also expressed support for the suspension of the SMNI shows. Certain NUJP members have complained of being red-tagged by Badoy, a former spokesperson for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

“While we are wary of government censorship, we note that the network was given due process on its potential violations, due process that was not given to the individuals and organizations that Badoy-Partosa and Celiz brazenly defamed on their show,” the NUJP said in a statement issued yesterday. — Janvic Mateo, Sheila Crisostomo, Emmanuel Tupas