Castro

DEATH THREATS

December 20, 2023 People's Journal 270 views

THE Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has imposed a 14-day suspension on Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) following complaints related to its program “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa,” which featured former President Rodrigo Duterte.

The complaints centered on the alleged utterance of death threats and offensive language by the former Chief Executive during the program’s November 15, 2023 episode, potentially violating Section 3(c) of Presidential Decree 1986.

This legal framework grants the MTRCB the authority to regulate television programs that may be considered objectionable, immoral, indecent, or contrary to law and good customs.

“Upon careful review and consideration of recent events and complaints received by the Board, it has come to the Board’s attention that certain aspects of the program may be in violation of established guidelines and standards set by [P.D. 1986] and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) governing broadcasting content,” the MTRCB said in its order dated December 14, 2023.

“To prevent the possible repetition of these alleged infractions which may pose negative impact on public welfare, ethical considerations, and the overall reputation of the broadcasting industry, this Board determines the need to preventively suspend the subject program by virtue of Section 3, Chapter XIII of the [IRR],” it added.

The temporary measure was effective immediately upon SMNI’s receipt of the order, allowing the MTRCB time to thoroughly investigate the case.

In the contentious episode, former president Duterte declared his willingness to face imprisonment after receiving a subpoena related to criminal charges filed by ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro.

“Magpakulong na lang ako. Kasi wala naman akong… Ino-opress ako ni France,” Duterte remarked in response to the subpoena issued by the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office on November 15.

He added: “Pero paglabas ko talagang, paglabas ko sa, magpakulong ako, paglabas ko, hanapin [muted]. Alam mo nakikinig lahat ng military, intelligence community. Akala mo happy ‘yan sila?”

During the conversation, Duterte reportedly employed offensive language, uttering, “Put*** in*.”

Duterte and Castro were summoned to appear before the prosecutor’s office on December 4 and 11 to kickstart an investigation into the latter’s complaint. However, Duterte failed to attend the scheduled hearings.

The charges stemmed from Duterte’s statement in which he labeled Castro as a communist and expressed his desire to harm her.

These remarks were made in defense of the request for confidential funds for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education, both under his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio.

The House of Representatives had previously redirected the confidential funds from DepEd and OVP to government agencies responsible for securing the West Philippine Sea amid China’s continuous harassment.

Despite the subpoena, Duterte continued his offensive stance against Castro during the program.

“Kaya ikaw, France (Castro), how do you solve the problem now? Kaya ‘yung statement kong komunista patayin, kasali ka — dapat!” he remarked.

The MTRCB justified its preventive suspension order by invoking Section 3(d) of P.D. 1986 and Section 3, Chapter XIII of the 2004 IRR.

This legal foundation is further supported by the precedent set in the case of Soriano vs. Laguardia, where the Supreme Court affirmed the MTRCB’s authority to issue preventive suspensions as part of its regulatory and supervisory mandate.

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