'My Husband’s Lover' prompts CBCP call for morality check
(UPDATE) The gay-themed GMA teleserye “My Husband’s Lover” has pushed the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Youth (CBCP-ECY) to urge TV networks to examine their shows closely for sensitive topics that could affect morality.
GMA News Online quoted a Radio Veritas report where CBCP Youth Commission Executive Secretary Fr. Kunegundo Garganta said, “Malaking pag-aaral ang dapat na gawin sa mga bagong teleserye, tulad ng 'My Husband’s Lover' na sana maisa-alang-alang na nasa isang bansa tayo na mayroong kultura na pinapahalagahan ang usaping moral o mga bagay na saklaw ng moralidad."
SEE PHOTOS: 'My Husband's Lover' cast
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) through its chairman, Toto Villareal, issued a call towards self-regulation.
In a text message to Yahoo! Philipines OMG!, Villareal said, “The MTRCB acknowledges the call for sensitivity by the CBCP-ECY in the light of the program My Husband’s Lover.The SPG rating given to the show is always subject to self-regulation and compliance with the law. The MTRCB’s jurisdiction may be invoked by the general public if there are ‘specific scenes’ which may be inappropriate to the rating given. Any complaint, will, however, be subject to due process, under which all those involved will be given a chance to be heard.”
Official statement from GMA
Meanwhile, GMA Network, through its Corporate Communications consultant Mr. Butch Racquel, released this official statement:
“GMA Network welcomes the scrutiny of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) of our primetime program ‘My Husband’s Lover’. We believe that our program while tackling sensitive real-life situations is produced with utmost prudence and in good taste. The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board or MTRCB has given the program an SPG (Strong Parental Guidance) rating and GMA is committed to comply with all its standards.
We would like to thank all the viewers of ‘My Husband’s Lover’ for supporting our program not just by watching it but via intelligent discussions and comments in all forms of media. The Kapuso Network is pleased with the high ratings that ‘My Husband’s Lover’ has achieved in its first two weeks and would like to assure the Filipino audience that we will continue to produce relevant and entertaining programs.”
