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What can or cannot be aired on TV?
By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Inquirer
Last updated 01:24am (Mla time) 07/02/2006

Published on page A2-1 of the July 2, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

“I-WITNESS,” GMA 7’S LATE-night documentary program, was suspended for two weeks by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) because of “violations” committed in the episode “Lukayo: Hindi Ito Bastos,” aired on May 22.

The MTRCB’s decision was indicated in a memorandum dated June 22 and addressed to Jose Mari Abacan, vice president for program management of GMA 7, and Howie Severino, “I-Witness” host and head writer.

The memo was signed by MTRCB chair Ma. Consoliza “Marissa” Laguardia.

It resulted from the adjudication hearing called by the board on June 6 and attended by GMA 7 representatives Severino, Nessa Valdellon, vice president for Public Affairs, Ella Evangelista, executive producer of “I-Witness,” and lawyer Dick Perez, vice president for Legal Affairs.

The complaint involved the ritual dance, Lukayo, first documented by National Artist and ethnologist Ramon Obusan. The Laguna-based tradition was described in the memo as depicting “women [wearing] wooden [phalluses] of exaggerated sizes … and [an] act of masturbation.”

Laguardia pointed out: “Presidential Decree 1986 substantially provides that any television program that does not conform to the ‘G’ and ‘PG’ classification may not be aired … phalluses and masturbation do not fall within the ‘G’ and ‘PG’ classification, applying contemporary Filipino values and good customs as standards.”

In a phone interview with Inquirer Entertainment, Severino said the suspension “highlighted several issues”—foremost of which was the “basic disagreement within our society on what is moral and immoral, on what can or cannot be shown on television.”

Severino said this could serve as a “test” case. “A major question raised is ‘Where do we draw the line?’ The MTRCB has drawn the line. Those who value freedom of expression believe that the line can be moved ... if more people became enlightened.”

Laguardia told Inquirer, also in a phone interview: “We must take note that it was shown on national television … the general public may not be used to a small-town ritual like Lukayo.”

She clarified in the memo that the board wasn’t “passing judgment on the culture or tradition of indigenous communities.”

TV exec offended

The chief censor recounted that, in the June 6 adjudication meeting, one of the network’s officers “admitted that she was initially offended by what she saw … [and only] appreciated the documentary when the [cultural aspect] was explained to her.”

Laguardia identified the GMA official as Valdellon. She said Valdellon’s admission offered proof that the “program had objectionable content… unfortunately, not all viewers could have the tradition explained to them.”

The suspension was “effective immediately” upon receipt of the notice.

“Since we received the letter on Wednesday [June 28], the program will not go on air on July 3 and 10,” Severino, who recently received the TV Investigative Journalist of the Year award given by the Rotary Club of Manila, said.

He was not disputing the decision, he clarified. “We were given due process. We were allowed to explain our side. Mr. Obusan was also present during the hearing.”

He said he was glad for the chance to see how the board worked, adding: “We are law-abiding members of the television industry and the MTRCB is the regulatory board governing the industry.”