FILE PHOTO: Lala Sotto | PHOTO: Official facebook page of MTRCB
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has condemned the “unfounded personal attack” directed at chairperson Diorella “Lala” Sotto-Antonio, with the agency disclosing that it has received an “unfortunate surge in threatening messages” over the past weeks.
“Lala Sotto, the Chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) became the target of alarming online attacks. Netizens have taken to the official social media pages of the MTRCB to express their grievances in an inappropriate and harmful manner, raising serious concerns about the safety and security of the Chairperson,” read the regulatory board’s statement released on Thursday, Sept. 14.
“Over the past weeks, we have experienced an unfortunate surge in threatening messages on our official social media pages, including explicit rape and death threats directed at Chairperson Lala Sotto,” it added.
MTRCB Vice Chairman Njel De Mesa then underscored that Sotto is a dedicated public servant and has “consistently championed the importance of media content that respects cultural sensitivities.”
MTRCB Executive Director II Atty. Mamarico Sansarona Jr., for his part, stressed that the public should not resort to personal attacks as the agency is “just doing its mandate.”
“No Filipino deserves such kind of unfounded personal attack,” Sansarona added. “We are happy that our Chair is very active in discharging the functions of our office based on existing laws.”
The regulatory board further said that it acknowledges the importance of constructive criticism and open dialogue but it condemns any form of threats, harassment or violence, which “runs counter to the principles of a Filipino value-based media and entertainment culture that the MTRCB upholds.”
“The MTRCB remains steadfast in its mission to ensure that television and movie content aligns with the cultural values and norms of the Philippines. We continue to encourage constructive dialogue with the public, emphasizing the importance of civil discourse and responsible criticism,” the statement concluded.
This apparently came after the MTRCB issued last Sept. 4 its ruling to suspend ABS-CBN’s “It’s Showtime” for 12 airing days due to show hosts Vice Ganda and Ion Perez’s alleged “indecent acts.” In a succeeding statement, the regulatory board said that Lala inhibited from voting on the suspension of the Kapamilya show to ensure that board members would “exercise their independent judgment.”
ALSO READ: Netizens umalma sa 12 araw na suspensiyon ng MTRCB sa ‘It’s Showtime’, Lala Sotto pinagre-resign
Meanwhile, a criminal case was also filed against Vice Ganda and Perez by Kapisanan ng mga Social Media Broadcasters ng Pilipinas Inc. (KSMBPI), with whom Sotto had a “special meeting” with last Aug. 24.
Sotto then denied influencing the group and clarified that their meeting was in connection with the performance of her duties as head of the review body.