Tuesday, May 3, 2011

A Repost From Chuck Smith of OMG! Philippine News Blog

omg! Philippines News Blog

MTRCB suspends ‘Willing Willie’ for one month

Willie Revillame (Photo by Jerome Ascano /NPPA Images)

Willie Revillame (Photo by Jerome Ascano /NPPA Images)

(UPDATE) The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) suspended TV5's primetime variety show "Willing Willie" for 30 days, inclusive of the program's three-week voluntary suspension.

This was the decision given by the MTRCB's Hearing and Adjudication Committee, headed by Noel del Prado with members Milo Sogueco and Carmen Musngi.

By crediting the program's self-suspension, the penalty began right after “Willing Willie” aired their last episode, Jonathan Presquito, chief of MTRCB's legal affairs division said. The Willie Revillame-led game show's last episode was aired April 9, Saturday, a day after the host announced the hiatus of the program. As such, the suspension will last until May 9.

The Willie Revillame-led game show was penalized for allow six-year-old Jan-Jan Suan to perform an allegedly erotic dance routine on air during their March 12 episode.

According to the decision, the voluntary suspension of “Willing Willie” played a part in the MTRCB's decision to credit the number of days it was off the air in their suspension. Other reasons for their decision include the self-regulatory measures of TV5, including the implementation of their Guidelines on the Treatment of Children nas Viewers, Subjects, Talents, or Participants and their plan to release a “Rules of Ethics” for their talents and production crew.

The MTRCB also considered the formal apology of TV5 Executive Vice President Roberto Barreiro and their Admission of Responsibility.

The decision also took note that “Willing Willie” is a first time offender.

Presquito said the deliberation will be on a case to case basis for future offenses and that the suspension is limited to the program. Penalizing a television talent is not within the jurisdiction of the MTRCB, Del Prado said.
MTRCB Chairwoman Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares (Photo by Bernard Testa/NPPA Images)

MTRCB Chairwoman Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares (Photo by Bernard Testa/NPPA Images)

Del Prado also clarified that whether there was a crime in the broadcast of the March 12 episode is beyond their concern, adding that their concern is whether “Willing Willie” violated Section 3 (c) of Presidential Decree No. 1986.

MTRCB chairperson Grace Poe-Llamanzares, however, urged other agencies such the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Labor and Employment to coordinate with the MTRCB in order to create tighter policies regarding the issue.

Probationary status

The show is also on probation or on a per-episode permit status until the MTRCB is convinced that the network and the show will implement the self-regulatory measures promised. Poe-Llamanzares said the probation of the show is open ended and the adjudication committee will determine when to lift the per episode permit status.

“Kung sa tingin nila ay di na kailangan yung probation, magpapadala sila ng sulat na hindi na per episode ang submission ng permit,” she said.

The MTRCB chairperson also said the probation was put in place to give TV5 and Wil Productions the opportunity to prove they are serious in implementing their self-regulatory measures regarding the issue.

“They have to be able to demonstrate na seryoso sila sa kanilang mga prinopose na pagbabago. Kaya naman ginagawang per episode basis ang permit para naman makita natin kung nagagampan nga ang mga pangakong ito at saka para maiwasan rin kung sakaling magkaroon ng repetisyon,” she said.

The probation and the crediting of the self-probation of “Willing Willie,” Poe-Llamanzares said, is their way of commending the network's constructive resolution and self-regulation.

“Gusto natin na ang mga producer at ang industry players ang maging responsble sa kanilang mga shows,” she said.

Poe-Llamanzares added: “Ayaw naman namin sila dagdagan pa ng parusa kaya binibilang na natin yung kanilang suspension. Dahil kung saka-sakali, may ibang network, tapos sila ay gumawa ng sarili nilang hakbang at tinanggal nila sa ere ang kanilang programa, syempre mawawalan naman sila ng insentibo kung sasabihin nila, 'ay, ang MTRCB, hindi naman kinikilala ang aming suspension.' So para sa amin, mas mabuti na bigyan na natin sila ng autonomiya sa pagdesisyon kung ano talaga ang hindi karapat-dapat ipalabas. “

Changes in TV rating system mulled

In case the production decides to overhaul the show and move it to a different timeslot, the MTRCB chairperson said the Board will study the new program.

“Sa tingin ko naman, kahit may bagong show kasi, pinagaaralan namin ng mabuti kung ano yung timeslot saka kung anong klase yung format ng show. Kung nakita naman namin na masyadong pareho, iniiwasan naman natin na magkaroon ng circumvention. So binigyan na natin sila ng palugit na hanggang dito at tingin ko naman susundin nila yun. Kami ay umaasa, dahil kung sila ay nagpalabas ng maaga kahit iba ang timeslot, syempre naiintindihan naman ng publiko kung ano yung ginagawa,” she said.

The “Willing Willie” case has prompted MTRCB to study other means to regulate television content, Poe-Llamanzares said.

“Meron talagang kinakailangan nating gawin para dyan. Kasi kung ang kabataan na ang kasama, tayong mga nakakatanda ang dapat magsiguro ng kanilang kalagayan. Pero ang MTRCB ay hindi lamang ang ahensya na dapat tumingin dito,” she said.

One of the proposed changes, she added, is to improve the current television content rating system. There are currently two ratings for television programs: G for General Patronage and PG for Parental Guidance.

Poe-Llamanzares said the MTRCB is considering the addition of new ratings, such as an M for Mature. In their proposed new system, a program that gets an M rating can only air after a certain timeslot. Programs that were found to be showing objectionable content will not automatically be suspended; rather, it will first be given an M rating. She said the MTRCB will study this proposal this Thursday and will invite industry leaders next week for a meeting regarding this matter.

Reposted From Chuck Smith of OMG! Philippine News Blog

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