Real-life couple and It’s Showtime hosts Vice Ganda and Ion Perez are now facing raps for cybercrime law violations after the Kapisanan ng Social Media Broadcasters ng Pilipinas, Inc. (KSMBPI) filed criminal charges before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office on Monday, September 11.
President of the KSMBPI, Atty. Leo Olarte said that the legal action was only the first of several cases that the group filed against the two for violating Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Specifically, Vice Ganda and Perez violated Section 6 of Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code, which states "immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, and indecent shows."
The charges were in connection with the viral cake-icing-eating incident between the couple during the show’s segment "Isip Bata," which, according to Olarte, was a supposed emulation of "sexual activity."
He added that they are concerned with the moral values that Vice and Ion are presenting to their viewers.
Moreover, Article 1 of the RPC carries the penalty of imprisonment for six to 12 years or a fine ranging from P6,000 to P12,000, or both imprisonment and fine, depending on the court’s ruling.
Apart from the mentioned charges, the KSMBPI also prepared a second criminal case against the real-life couple hosts for violation of the child abuse law and for their actions impacting children psychologically.
Olarte explained that the incident opens the minds of children, who can easily be persuaded to emulate sexual activities.
Meanwhile, on September 4, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) ordered the suspension of the live noontime program for 12 airing days.
