MTRCB suspends ‘T3’ for 3 months

Long after the airport brawl that started it all, the Tulfo brothers continue to get a beating.

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) Wednesday ordered the three-month suspension of the TV5 show “T3: Kapatid Sagot Kita” over the “inappropriate” remarks made by its hosts, siblings Ben, Erwin and Raffy Tulfo, on its May 7 episode.

The board penalized the brothers for airing threats on national TV against show biz couple Raymart Santiago and Claudine Barretto.

The threats were made a day after the couple figured in a melee with Ramon Tulfo, an Inquirer columnist and the hosts’ eldest brother, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s Terminal 3.

Wednesday’s decision, which took effect immediately, described the younger brothers’ remarks as “vulgar, indecent, threatening and contrary to law and good customs” in violation of Presidential Decree 1986, which defines MTRCB’s powers.

It also noted how they peppered their statements with cuss words like “hijo de PI.”

The MTRCB adjudication committee also imposed a fine of P100,000 on the show. After the three-month suspension, “T3” will still be considered on probation “until the Board is convinced that the respondents have implemented self-regulatory measures aimed at preventing future violations,” the body said.

The adjudication committee is chaired by Noel del Prado, with members Liezl S. Martinez and Jay C. Revestir.

TV5, which earlier suspended the Tulfos for three days, maintained that “T3” is a news show that doesn’t fall under the board’s jurisdiction. It also invoked freedom of speech and freedom of the press in defense of the Tulfos.

But MTRCB Chair Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares maintained that “these rights are not absolute and cannot be used to undermine the rights of other people.”

“Personal attacks that have no bearing on the public interest are not only discouraged but are prohibited,” Llamanzares said.

The MTRCB also pointed out that TV5’s website and its application for a permit for “T3” classified the show as a public affairs program.

The board cited the case of ABS-CBN vs MTRCB, which defined newsreel programs as “straight news reporting, straight presentation of events and depiction of actualities.”

It also explained that “the ratings and regulation of TV programs are, at their core, child-protection measures” and that there was “a reasonable risk that children had seen” T3’s May 7 episode because of its late afternoon time slot.

Llamanzares added that “if program producers are serious about self-regulation, they need to demonstrate that they are quick to recognize the merits and legitimate concerns of their viewers.”

“They should protect their talents, but they should not coddle them or recklessly cite freedom of expression as their prime motivator,” she said.

In a statement, TV 5 said it “regrets the decision and views it as an act in excess of (the board’s) jurisdiction. At this point, TV5 will turn to the Court of Appeals.”