MTRCB meets Vice Ganda, ABS-CBN execs over 'comedy bar humor'

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) met with comedian Jose Marie Viceral more popularly known as "Vice Ganda" and executives of his mother network ABS-CBN on Wednesday to remind them about the do's and don'ts of comedy bar humor.

In posts on its Twitter account on Thursday, the MTRCB said, "While noting the wit of comedy bar humor, the MTRCB emphasized the do's and don'ts for TV to ABS-CBN execs and talent Viceral."

In his concert on May 17, Vice Ganda joked that if GMA News anchor Jessica Soho were a bold star in a movie, the scene would have to involve a "gang rape."

The comedian made fun of Soho's physique for a full two minutes.

During Wednesday's meeting, the MTRCB reminded Vice Ganda and ABS-CBN executives to avoid "potentially offensive humor off-cam," which it said "disposes one to stick to wholesome humor on-cam."

The MTRCB said the ABS-CBN team and Vice Ganda were "oriented on laws protecting women, children, persons with disabilities and senior citizens, also on Broadcast Code norms."

The MTRCB noted that ABS-CBN and Vice Ganda promised to "review writing and gag delivery practices to conform (with) MTRCB-enforced laws and rules."

The MTRCB described Wednesday's meeting as "largely instructive," adding that it reiterated "respect for human dignity at all times."

Crass humor

Aside from Soho, Vice Ganda poked fun at ABS-CBN news personalities and other celebrities during his May 17 concert.

In a statement on May 28, Soho said, "Rape is not a joke and should never be material for a comedy concert."

She added: "I thank all those who shared my hurt and expressed their support, but this should not be about me but about rape victims who suffer tremendously from this terrible crime. The horrors they go through are unspeakable and should never be taken lightly, especially by way of a cruel joke."

Various groups also criticized Vice Ganda for his jokes. On Twitter, Gabriela party-list representative Luz Ilagan said, "Joke is made in bad taste. Rape is one of the worst (if not the worst) forms of violence vs women."

In a live telecast on ABS-CBN's noontime program 'Showtime" on May 29, Vice Ganda said, "Humihingi po ako ng kapatawaran sa inyo."

"Opo, iyon po ay isang biro na maaaring sa inyo ay hindi magandang biro at kung hindi po magandang biro 'yon at nasaktan ko po kayo talaga, humihingi po ako ng paumanhin. Patawad po," Vice Ganda said.

Vice Ganda said he phoned Soho on May 29 to make a personal apology, but he quoted the broadcast journalist as saying that she was not ready to talk to him.

Soho acknowledged the apology from Vice Ganda and said: "I sincerely hope and pray that this was done with the purest intentions and determination to put this issue behind us."

Soho had clarified that the comedian's call "came without warning as his number was not programmed in my phone directory. I told him I wasn't feeling well and I wasn't sure I was ready to talk to him. But I clearly remember thanking him for his call."

Soho is the host of the evening news program "State of the Nation" on GMA News TV and of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho" on GMA. The latter is the network's top-rated program. She is also the Vice President for News Programs of GMA Network.

She studied at the University of the Philippines and has won numerous accolades, including the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award, in her career as a broadcast journalist for more than two decades.

Soho has also been repeatedly named as the most trusted news personality in the country. —VVP/KG, GMA News