Nagpadala ng liham sa MTRCB ang pamunuan ng EAT para magpaliwanag at humingi ng paumanhin tungkol sa sensitibong biro ni Joey de Leon noong September 23, 2023.

Matatandaan na sa game show ng EAT na “Gimme 5”, naitanong kung ano ang mga bagay na pwedeng isuot sa leeg. Sumagot umano si de Leon ng lubid. Naging kontrobersyal ang sinabing ito ng batikang host at binatikos ng ilang manonood.

Sa kanilang liham sa Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), nagsorry ang EAT management sa sinumang naoffend sa sinabi ni de Leon.

“However, some viewers interpreted the utterance of the object to be an insinuation of suicide, which is a very sensitive and triggering subject… In this regard, the whole EAT management is regretful and apologetic to those who were offended by the utterance. Rest assured that we are one with MTRCB in advocating a responsible viewing experience for the public,” ayon sa liham ng EAT management.

Ipinaliwanag pa ng management na binanggit ito ng kanilang host “verbally in a very brief manner without further actions, elaborations and demonstrations.”

Pero ayon sa mga netizen, hindi dapat gawing biro ang maselang usapin ng suicide lalo na at nalalapit na ang World Mental Health Day sa October 10.

“Joey De Leon’s insensitive jokes about mental health is so alarming like the f*ck on Philippine television talaga sinasabi mong lubid ang bagay sa leeg ????.” @vvanillacakee

“There’s a reason why I never felt any kind of sympathy for Joey De Leon when he was repeatedly crying following EB’s departure from Tape/GMA.” @TorterRalph

“Pag pinalampas pa ni Lala Sotto yung “lubid” comment ni Joey de Leon ewan ko na lang labanan na to ng pakapalan ng mukha kakapit na parang tuko sa posisyon na lang. Panahon na rin siguro para manawagan sa Presidente para palitan siya.” @oohFord

Noong September 25, naglabas ng pahayag ang MTRCB na nagsasabing nire-review na nila ang reklamo laban sa noontime show.

“Taking cognizance of the complaints from the viewing public in relation to E.AT. 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,” ayon sa MTRCB.

Document from the Office of Senator Jinggoy Estrada and MTRCB. Screengrab from E.A.T.