Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) chairperson Lala Sotto-Antonio responded to comments about her supposed “conflict of interest” after the government agency’s decision to deny It’s Showtime’s motions of reconsideration regarding its 12-day suspension.
The government agency held a press conference on Thursday, Sept. 28, to address concerns regarding its verdict to ABS-CBN and GMA’s joint appeal. GMA airs the Kapamilya noontime program on its GTV Channel.
During the panel, Lala was asked by the press for her response to netizens alleging her “conflict of interest” amid the board’s decisions concerning the case of the show given that she’s the daughter of former Sen. Tito Sotto, one of the main hosts of the rival program, E.A.T., on TV5.
“I truly believe my being a Sotto or my father’s daughter should not be taken against me, instead it should be taken positively that I am someone who grew up in, loves, and understands the industry,” Sotto-Antonio said, acknowledging people’s entitlement to their own opinions while also emphasizing on “humbly” and “justly” doing her job.
Lala previously clarified her stance towards issues involving noontime shows, saying that she has inhibited herself from the processes of the cases “in the spirit of transparency and in the spirit of fairness,” according to a report by the Philippine STAR.
Amidst the back-and-forth legal involving the noontime variety programs “violations”, It’s Showtime supporters have expressed their grievances against Lala, and even made their demand for her to step down from her position trend online.
When asked about the calls for her resignation, Lala simply responded that she would not “satisfy the whims of detractors.”
