MTRCB chief denies warning Joey de Leon

Movie and Television Review and Classifications Board (MTRCB) chairperson Consoliza Laguardia on Monday denied any hand in the warning issued against veteran comedian and Eat Bulaga! host Joey de Leon. In an interview with GMA News, Laguardia said it was the board’s adjudication committee that handed down the warning against De Leon. "Dun sa adjudication hindi rin ako humarap dun kasi pag adjudication na, hindi na yun chair talaga ang haharap, yung lawyers na. I’ve done my part, first, as and, second, as chairperson of MTRCB. I’ve done my part hanggang dun na lang ako e," she said. On Saturday, De Leon did not report to Startalk where he is one of the hosts. He instead sent a letter stating his indefinite leave from the talk show. De Leon told GMA News Monday he received a letter from high ranking officials of the network and authorities related to broadcasting barring him from talking, making gestures and wearing expression shirts in connection with the Wowowee game glitch. "Tumanggap ako ng sulat mula sa matataas na tao sa istasyon, ako’y nagsasabi lang ng tutuo, at sa ibang tao na may kaugnayan sa pagbo-broadcast sa tv at binawalan ako. Hindi malinaw e, binawalan ako na magsalita tungkol sa ilang bagay pati pagi-gesture, paggalaw ko, pati yung paggalaw ng kamay ko, pati yung slogan at nakasulat sa mga damit na isusuot ko. Dahil ang Startalk ay isang talkshow e minabuti ko munang...baka madulas ako, magkamali ako," he said. De Leon said he is willing to comply with the directive but the authorities, whom he did not identify, should first explain the parameters of what he can and cannot do. "Explain before I comply. Ipaliwanag nyo lang in detail ano ba talaga ang pwede kong isuot, ano pwede kong sabihin na hindi masama sa panlasa nyo," he lamented. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV