PDP-Laban condemns 14-day MTRCB suspension vs. Duterte-hosted SMNI show

The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) wing chaired by former President Rodrigo Duterte condemned the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB)’s 14-day suspension slapped on the SMNI show that Duterte hosts.

Calling it an attack on press freedom, PDP Laban secretary general Aimee Torrefranca-Neri issued the statement in response to MTRCB suspending ‘Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa’.

During the program, Duterte delivered apparent threats to kill and made profane remarks at House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro that MTRCB found “may have been in violation” of  established guidelines and standards set by Presidential Decree 1986 and its implementing rules and regulations governing broadcasting content.

 “PDP-Laban, as a party strongly fighting and advocating for participatory democracy, condemn in the strongest terms the 14-day suspension imposed by the MTRCB on the former President Duterte’s program over SMNI titled ‘Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa’ because this an affront and attack on press freedom,” Neri said.

Neri reiterated Duterte’s defense in the grave threat complaint lodged against him by Castro by arguing that the former president was merely recounting a conversation with his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, in an episode of the said program where he made the alleged threats against the solon.

“This is a clear affront to the freedom of expression. The MTRCB has sent a chilling message to the Philippine media, most especially broadcast [media] in this act of curtailing our freedoms which presents a clear danger to our democracy,” Neri said.

According to Article 3, Section 4 of the Philippine Constitution, "No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances."

“MTRCB should have been more prudent and waited for the findings of the Office of the City Prosecutor [on Castro’s complaint] since a preliminary investigation is currently being held there. We should be vigilant about the curtailment of our freedoms because the very essence of our democratic way of life is being attacked by the state in this case,” she added.

Two of the statements made by Duterte in the subject Gikan sa Masa episode are "Gusto kitang (Castro) patayin but I want to kill you softly" and “Kayo, ikaw France, kayong mga komunista ang gusto kong patayin." 

("I want to kill you [Castro] but I want to kill you softly." and "All of you, you France, I want to kill you communists.") 

Before he stepped down as president, Duterte used his presidential powers to convince Congress to deny the franchise application of media broadcasting company ABS-CBN amid the COVID-19 pandemic in July 2020. 

Sought for comment on PDP-Laban’s statements, the MTRCB countered that it has clearly established the basis of handing down the suspension.

“The MTRCB has no further comment on the matter, the legal basis considered by the Board in its decision is stipulated in our press statement,” Yayee Tobia, MTRCB public relations officer, told GMA News Online via text message.—RF, GMA Integrated News