MTRCB orders 'It's Showtime' to respond to colorism complaints within 7 days

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has ordered “It’s Showtime” to respond to complaints over the program's July 24, 2026, episode for containing allegedly colorist remarks and inappropriate scenes.

The board held a hearing on Wednesday, July 29, and issued an order instructing “It’s Showtime” to submit a verified joint position paper within seven days of receipt.

The hearing was attended by representatives and legal counsels from the noontime show, ABS-CBN Corporation, GMA Network Inc., Zoe Broadcasting Network, Inc., and ALLTV after the MTRCB’s Hearing and Adjudication Committee issued a Notice to Appear to the show's producers.

“As part of due process, the Board listened to the explanations presented and reiterated its mandate under Presidential Decree No. 1986 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) to ensure that TV programming remains fully compliant with broadcast standards,” MTRCB said in a press statement on Wednesday.

“As partners in promoting responsible viewership, the Board remains fully committed and values the public’s feedback. Grounded in the principle of parens patriae, the MTRCB shares with its stakeholders the responsibility of protecting and guiding young Filipino viewers,” the organization added.

“It’s Showtime” was also ordered to submit a joint undertaking, with “concrete measures to strengthen compliance with MTRCB standards, particularly in relation to live, improvised, and comedy segments.”

Moreover, the show was directed to appoint an on-air compliance officer, whose task is to monitor live broadcasts and swiftly intervene when needed to prevent possible violations of MTRCB's rules and regulations.

"The case remains pending and shall be resolved after the Committee’s evaluation of the parties’ submissions and the evidence on record, in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and due process," MTRCB said.

“As the matter remains under consideration, the Board shall refrain from making any further statement that may prejudge its final disposition."

GMA Network and “It’s Showtime” have yet to release statements as of this writing.

On Tuesday, the MTRCB summoned the producers of “It’s Showtime” after receiving multiple complaints over the program’s July 24, 2026 episode, which contained allegedly inappropriate scenes and racially insensitive and colorist remarks.

In a two-page Notice to Appear, the MTRCB said concerned citizens filed numerous complaints regarding the actions and statements made by host Vice Ganda during the episode.

The agency said the complaints, along with a report from its Monitoring and Inspection Unit (MIU), cited Vice's alleged racist and colorist remarks, as well as a "lugaw" scene involving Vice and Ion Perez.

On Saturday, July 25, Vice publicly apologized for the jokes made during the previous day's broadcast.

"Nakarating po sa aming kaalaman na may mga Madlang People po na hindi nagustuhan o na-offend sa ilan sa aming jokes o biruan dito sa Showtime pati na rin sa ginagawa namin sa 'Memerimar.'"

According to Vice, the show's intention was never to offend its audience and assured viewers that the hosts had listened to the feedback.

"They found the jokes offensive or insensitive... the last thing we want is to displease you o hindi mapasaya ang aming Madlang People. Kaya naman ina-acknowledge namin ang inyong saloobin at humihingi po kami ng paumanhin sa inyo and we will try to do better."

—Nika Roque/CDC, GMA News