MTRCB to review complaints against Joey De Leon's "lubid" joke on E.A.T.

Trigger warning: This article contains references to self-harm and suicide.

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) said it is looking into the complaints filed against an episode of the TV5's noontime show, E.A.T., where its host Joey de Leon made a comment social media users said was referring to suicide.

The veteran TV host made the remark in ths show's "Gimme 5: Laro ng Mga Henyo" segment aired on Sept. 23. During the game, the contest was tasked to name five things that can be placed around the neck.

He was given 45 seconds to give a list of items, but was only able to give one: "necklace." When his time was up, Joey said, "Lubid, lubid. Nakakalimutan niyo." A laughing sound effect was shortly played following the host's comment.

Several social media users and mental health advocates shared a clip of the incident and pointed out how De Leon's statement promotes self-harm and suicide. They then called on MTRCB and its chairman, Lala Sotto, to reprimand the TV host and the program, which is also hosted by her father Tito Sotto and uncle Vic Sotto.

"This is a trigger warning clip about suicide and Joey De Leon can't shut his mouth," one user tweeted. "Really Mga bagay na sinsabit sa leeg ay lubid? REALLY JOEY DE LEON??? LALA SOTTO ANO NA???"

Another user agreed, saying, "The way he said it parang joke lang. inulit ulit pa. What if mapanood 'to ng someone na may mabigat na pinagdadaanan at 'yon ang magtrigger. Ano masasabi ng spiritual convivtion mo dito, Lala Sotto?

One user likewise stressed how the post has "konotasyon sa suicide o sa slavery" and asked the MTRCB chair, "Mananahimik ba kayo?"

Others related De Leon's latest viral remark with his comments about menta health in 2017, which he publicly apologized for after he trended online.

"Nanonood ako ng E.A.T. because we grew up watching these peeps pero yung joke talaga ni Joey De Leon, jusko! Wala talaga sa lugar," one user tweeted. "Lagi na lang ginagawang katatawanan ang suicide dahil gawa-gawa lang daw ng isip yan. Pusta ko mag-pa-public apology na lang ulit 'yan."

Two days later, on Sept. 25, MTRCB released a statement on social media, saying that it would review the complaints against the show based on Presidential Decree No. 1986, also known as the "Children's Media Protection Act."

MTRCB wrote, "Taking cognizance of the complaints from the viewing public in relation to E.A.T. Gimme 5 segment aired last 23 September 2023, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) shall determine if the same are valid and presumably violative of Presidential Decree No. 1986 and/or its Implementing Rules and Regulations."

This is not the first time the show has landed in hot waters since it debuted on July 1. A month later, on Aug. 11, MTRCB summoned one of the show's hosts, Wally Bayola, for uttering profanity during its "Sugod Bahay Mga Kapatid" segment last Aug. 10. Bayola apologized on the same day MTRCB called out the show for the incident.