MTRCB flags Coco Martin’s ‘Sigabo’ for violent content

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has conducted a compliance seminar for the producers of Coco Martin’s primetime action-drama “Sigabo” following complaints over the series’ alleged excessive portrayal of violence.

The seminar was held at the MTRCB office in Quezon City on Monday, July 6, after the agency said it received more than 10 complaints since the show premiered on June 22.

According to the MTRCB, the complaints cited the program’s supposed “persistent depiction” of violence, including fistfights, physical aggression, torture scenes, and strong violent language.

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Some complainants also called for a review of television series with violent content airing during primetime.

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Martin’s CCM Film Productions, which produces the series with ABS-CBN’s Dreamscape Entertainment, attended the seminar. Martin serves as the show’s writer, director, and lead star alongside on-screen and real life partner, Julia Montes.

READ: GMA exec disputes MTRCB’s claim it did not reject ‘Lost Sabungeros’ review

In her opening remarks, MTRCB Chair Lala Sotto said the seminar was intended to help producers better understand the board’s standards while supporting the local television industry.

“I just want to make it clear that the reason why we are having this compliance seminar today is because we want to help you, we want to help drive the production. We want you to understand where we are coming from and we want a better understanding also of the production,” Sotto said.

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Sotto acknowledged the show’s socially relevant themes but emphasized that content still has limitations.

“Magiging very socially relevant, I’m sure, ‘yung mga scenes at ‘yung mga magiging storyline. Which we understand and we fully support. But there are always limitations. Lahat ng bagay, may limitasyon,” she added.

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The compliance seminar was conducted under the MTRCB’s “Responsableng Paggabay” initiative by Vice Chair Juan “Johnny” Revilla and board members Ricardo “Jojo” Salomon, Eloisa Matias, and Robert “Bobby” Andrews.

Malu Sevilla of CCM Film Productions said they welcomed the discussion with the board as the meeting allowed both parties to better understand each other’s perspectives.

Sevilla also assured that the production team would be more mindful of complying with the board’s content standards.

“We are all here to help this industry. So kung itinataas mo ang level ng entertainment at medyo nag fa-falter kami, we appreciate the help,” Sevilla said.

The MTRCB noted that “Sigabo” currently carries a Strong Parental Guidance (SPG) classification, indicating that it contains mature themes that may not be suitable for children without the guidance and presence of a parent or responsible adult.

The board said the SPG rating was based on factors including the show’s theme, violence, language, horror, drugs, sex, genre, treatment, and timeslot.

“Sigabo” is a romance-action drama that marks the latest television collaboration between Martin and Montes.

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In the action-romance series, Martin portrays Gabo, a devoted son and ex-convict who takes on a secret mission in exchange for his freedom, and eventually he crosses paths with Sam (Montes), a lawyer who also works as an investigative agent.