A citizen, expressing deep concern over the welfare of female housemates in Pinoy Big Brother:
Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0 (PBB), has officially filed a complaint with the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). The complaint, which cites potential violations of Republic Act No. 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act, calls for the show's suspension due to alleged crude, sexually-charged, and objectifying remarks made by male participants, primarily targeting minors within the house.
The filing comes amid a growing public discussion, amplified by groups like the Gabriela Women's Party, about the normalization of "birong bastos" (crude jokes) in the popular reality show.
📝 Details of the Formal Complaint
The email, sent to the MTRCB, alleges that the female participants have "repeatedly been subjected to crude remarks, sexually charged jokes, and objectifying comments from male participants," which the complainant asserts "constitute violations of RA 11313, or The Safe Spaces Act."
The concerned citizen further criticized the show's management, claiming they have "not conducted any serious investigation or imposed appropriate punishments." A specific episode from December 9 was also mentioned, where the show allegedly aired "misleadingly edits footage to improve the male participants' image."
The formal request to the MTRCB is for the agency to:
* Look into the matter immediately.
* Ensure the safety of the female participants.
* Protect the minds of the youth who watch the program.
* Suspend the show until the management can guarantee that "any form of violence against women and girls will not be tolerated."
📩 MTRCB Acknowledges Receipt
The MTRCB, through its Records Management Unit, has formally acknowledged the receipt of the complaint via email.
The agency confirmed that the concern has "already been processed and endorsed to the appropriate unit/person under ticket number [redacted]." This signals that the MTRCB has officially begun its review and may soon take action, or at the very least, call for a conference with the show's producers, as it has done in previous PBB controversies.
⚖️ The Safe Spaces Act and Media Responsibility
The invocation of the Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313) highlights the evolving legal standards concerning sexual harassment in both public and online spaces. While the PBB house is a controlled environment, the show's broadcast nature means the acts are transmitted online and on public airwaves. The law specifically penalizes:
* Misogynistic and sexist slurs.
* Persistent telling of sexual jokes.
* Statement of sexual comments and suggestions.
The complaint argues that the program, which garners massive viewership among Filipino youth, has a public responsibility to uphold safe spaces and ethical broadcasting standards, especially when dealing with the emotional and psychological welfare of its participants, particularly minors.
📌 What Happens Next?
This latest development puts pressure on both the MTRCB and the management of Pinoy Big Brother to publicly and definitively address the accusations. In the past, the MTRCB has mandated self-regulatory measures, audience-sensitivity seminars, and advisory notices for the long-running reality show following public complaints. The severity of the complaint—which alleges violations of a standing law—suggests the MTRCB’s response could be substantial.
The public now awaits the official statement or action from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board on this high-profile case.
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