On May 28, 2010, BayanihanTayo.com reader Manuel “Manny” N. Batac the Crusader on Wheelchair, sent us his article “Insulting Remarks and Exploitation on Wowowee, Rosalka, Showtime and Face to Face” about the concerns he has over the insulting and degrading portrayal of people with disabilities on popular Filipino TV shows.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) responded to Mr. Batac concerns, and sent a position letter to MS. MELISSA SAN LUIS the executive producer of ABC-5 PROGRAM FACE TO FACE.
In the DSWD letter they share the same concerns that many Filipinos do on the position of exploitation of handicapped and poor Filipinos for entertainment purposes. The letter also recommends a reform on some of their programs that may be offensive to the viewing audiences.
Read the DSWD position letter below:
June 4, 2010
MS. MELISSA SAN LUIS
Executive Producer
Face to Face
TV5
Quirino Highway, Novaliches
Dear Ms. San Luis:
This is regarding your daily program “Face to Face,” aired Mondays to Fridays, 11 am with replays at 11 p.m.
We have received a letter from a concerned citizen, Mr. Manuel Batac, who expressed strong reaction over the format of your program, specifically the abusive language and confrontational stance of the guests. He requested the DSWD, being an agency mandated to protect the vulnerable sector, to also make our assessment about your program.
As such, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shares public opinion that the program “FACE to FACE” aired over ABC Channel 5 is not the proper venue for people to air their hatred, anger and resolve their personal differences. The Department believes that exposing dirty linen in public is contrary to good family values.
The Department also noted that the show features mostly poor women like sidewalk vendors, common-law spouses of jeepney drivers, among others, who are pitted against each other. This is tantamount to exploiting poor women who are already going through difficult emotional situations, yet play with their feelings in exchange for possible gains.
More often than not, the program allows the use of abusive and bad languages as well as violence that can corrupt values of viewers especially children and minors who are probably watching it during its 11:00 am airtime.
While the DSWD recognizes freedom of expression, it does not condone the exploitation of marginalized sectors and the disregard for good character and values.
If the concept is to provide a venue where people can air their grievances and try to resolve their personal differences, the Department believes that this can be done in the appropriate forum without requiring the concerned people to appear in public especially in a television program.
The DSWD, therefore, recommends the reformatting of the program.
We hope that you will consider our humble recommendations in the interest of the vulnerable sector.
Thank you.
Very truly yours,
(original signed)
CELIA CAPADOCIA-YANGCO
Acting Secretary
Cc:
Mr. Manuel Batac
Crusader on Wheelchair
Ms. Ma. Consoliza P. Laguardia
Chairperson
Movie and Television Review and Classification
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