SHOWTIME controversy: Facts and Opinions

It all started in the January 7 episode of the show where Rosanna Roces said the following to a contestant:

"Murahin mo yung teacher mo, ha! Ako minura ko yung teacher ko nung hindi niya sinagot sa akin 'yan. Oo, walanghiya 'yang mga teacher na 'yan, hindi sinasabi yung totoo sa atin, e! Ikaw taga-roon ka hindi mo alam.

"Pero mga kabataan huwag kayong makuntento sa itinuturo ng libro at ng teacher. Magtatanong po kayo, hindi masama iyon. Oo, dahil ang mga teachers, they were just repeaters. Itinuturo nila kung ano ang itinuro sa kanila. Hindi na nila itinuturo kung ano ang gustong malaman ng mga bata.

"'Yan, isang trivia para sa 'yo. Hanapin mo. I-Wikipedia mo, malalaman mo."

To buffer that, Vice Ganda said:

"Bago ang lahat, gusto ko munang magpasalamat sa lahat ng mga naging guro ko nung unang-unang beses pa lang akong nag-aral hanggang sa natapos ako. Kasi napakahuhusay ng mga naging guro ko. At gusto ko lang sabihin na ang mga guro, mga tao rin naman, nagkakamali rin 'yan, di ba? Kaya huwag nating lahatin. Pero siguro, may mga gurong nagkamali, pero napakarami rin namang mahuhusay lalo na sa Pilipinas."

"Kahit mga artista, hindi naman lahat napakahusay. Hindi naman lahat ng pulitiko, napakahusay. Meron din namang gurong hindi, pero nakaparami rin namang mahuhusay. At ang laki ng bahagi nila sa buhay natin."

This resulted to MTRCB imposing a 20-day preventive suspension for Showtime. Rumors say that ABS-CBN executives are supposedly surprised since they were expecting a hearing this Thursday.

Here is ABS-CBN's statement:

"In the spirit of self-regulation, ABS-CBN removed Rosanna Roces as a judge in SHOWTIME
after she made statements against the teachers in the January 7 live show (CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO). But despite this, MTRCB still imposed a 20-day preventive suspension for the program.

A preventive suspension is issued to stop further violations, if there were any committed, or for the interest or welfare of the public. Thus, the network questions the need for said preventive suspension when Rosanna Roces has already been removed from the program.

SHOWTIME is a highly entertaining show watched by many Filipinos. It helps promote and showcase the creativity and talent of kapamilyas nationwide, uplifts their spirit and provides opportunities to improve their lives."

OUR OPINION:
Rosanna Roces' comments were both tactless and offensive. However, it was just her opinion. Since when did it become illegal to express someone's opinion, even say, on national TV?

And why suspend the entire show for 20 days? Isn't that a bit of an overkill? Rosanna already asked for an apology in the end of the show and she was no longer seen in the succeeding episodes.

We're not questioning MTRCB or their decisions. We're just asking questions. Was it really necessary to suspend the show? for 20 days? without hearing?

You decide. Anyway, we heard Showtime will be replaced by Magapasikat, where stars will show their little known talents.

Showtime fans have already started a petition and you can SIGN IT HERE.

Meanwhile here are some teets from Stars about this event:

Pokwang: MAAYOS DIN YAN MGA KAPATID BASTA PAG PRAY LANG NATIN!! sobrang lakas kasi mga shows ng ABS kaya laging napupuna korek?? patuloy lang po natin pakatutukan ang lahat ng shows ng kapamilya network dahil para po sa inyo ito. maraming salamat po!!

Anne Curtis: Thank you all for your support and kind words para sa Showtime! Oras na para MAGPASIKAT! Para sa inyo to Guys! Walang iba kungdi kayo!☺

Bianca Gonzales: shucks, i'm honestly affected na temporarily suspended ang showtime! i love watching that show! :(

And our say? This event will only make Showtime more memorable and even make its mark in Philippine TV history unlike many shows that come and go without any real effect.