MTRCB stands by suspension of Tulfo brothers' show 'T3'

Published May 14, 2012 11:37am

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board on Monday said it is standing by its decision to impose a 20-day preventive suspension on a television program hosted by the brothers of Inquirer columnist Ramon Tulfo.

In a press statement posted on its website, the MTRCB said it will "legally respond" to the petition lodged by TV5 before the Court of Appeals at the proper time.

"On the reported filing of TV5 of a petition with the Court of Appeals questioning the 20-day preventive suspension order against the program 'T3,' the MTRCB stands by the legality of the said order and its jurisdiction over 'T3' as a 'public affairs' program under PD 1986 and the agency’s Implementing Rules and Regulations," it said.

Last week, the MTRCB had imposed a 20-day preventive suspension on the program hosted by the brothers of Tulfo (Ben, Raffy and Erwin), for a May 7 episode where they allegedly threatened actor Raymart Santiago and his wife Claudine Barretto. TV5, through its legal counsel, Benjamin Tolosa Jr., then asked the CA to stop the suspension order, insisting that the MTRCB has no jurisdiction over T3 because the program is classified as a news program and not a public affairs show.

The network said the MTRCB committed "grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction" for issuing the May 10 order, which TV5 insisted was "unconstitutional" for violating press freedom.

Aside from stopping the MTRCB order, TV5 also asked the CA to order the MTRCB to stop its ongoing proceedings involving T3. But in a report by GMA News' Jun Veneracion in 24Oras on Friday, TV5's application for television permit and exhibit with the MTRCB showed that it defined the Tulfo brothers' show as a public affairs program.

Screengrabs from 24Oras show that TV5 identified T3 as a public affairs program in its application for television permit and exhibit.

NAIA brawl

The brawl between Mon Tulfo and Santiago started when the former was seen taking footage of Barretto scolding a ground crew of Cebu Pacific over the offloading of their baggage from Boracay.

Santiago claimed Tulfo punched him when he tried to approach him. On the other hand, Tulfo claimed Santiago and some companions ganged up on him.

Both sides have taken their fight to the legal arena.

On Sunday, Malacañang said it was leaving to the Court of Appeals how to handle the latest legal issue stemming from the Tulfo-Santiago brawl.

“That’s something we will let the CA deal with. From what I understand, TV5 has gone to the CA to ask the MTRCB to stop implementation of the 20-day suspension. Hindi kami magsasalita, nasa korte na yan,” Valte said on government-run dzRB radio. — with Roehl Niño Bautista/RSJ, GMA News

Tags: mtrcb, raymartsantiago, claudinebarretto, montulfo, ramontulfo