Interaksyon.com reports that the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) is set to discuss the usage of comedy bar humor on television with representatives from the major networks after comedian Vice Ganda made his controversial “rape joke” about journalist Jessica Soho during his concert last May 17.

According to MTRCB Chairman Atty. Eugenio “Toto” Villareal, they have been receiving complaints about Vice’s brand of humor even before his concert, and they are now scheduled to meet with the comedian and the staff of his show Gandang Gabi Vice to see if something can be done about the insulting nature of his jokes.

“Necessary element niya ‘yung paglalait from top to bottom, from head to foot or from foot to head. ‘Yung tinatawag na okrayan,” Atty. Villareal said. “Mahaba na talaga ang mga comment. So it’s fair to say that before the May 17 concert, so to speak, ay may natatanggap na kami. Kinakalap ito at due na talaga (Insulting others from top to bottom, from head to foot, or from foot to head is a necessary element [in their jokes]. That’s what you call heckling. The comments have gotten very long. So it’s fair to say that we have been receiving them before the May 17 concert, so to speak. We have compiled them and it’s time we discuss them.).”

Atty. Villareal also asked other comedians to do their best to make jokes that wouldn’t hurt others’ feelings.

“Pataasin natin ang level ng pagpapatawa nang maging malikhain ang ating mga komedyante. Napakahirap magpatawa, matagal na preparasyon, matagal na pag aaral. So challenge ito na maari naman magpatawa na hindi naman tayo nakakasakit ng damdamin o potentially makasakit tayo ng damdamin (Let’s elevate the level of our humor so our comedians will be more creative. It’s difficult to make people laugh, there’s a lot of preparation and studying involved. So we hope they’ll be challenged to make people laugh without the possibility of hurting others’ feelings),” he said. “We hope that the type of entertainment that we would have would always be in accord of the dignity of the human person.”

(Photo courtesy of PEP.ph)