***Trigger warning: Suicide****
Joey de Leon is making headlines for a controversial remark during an episode of the noontime show, EAT.
During the September 23, 2003 airing, Joey and Vic Sotto hosted the game segment Gimme 5: Laro Ng Mga Henyo. A male contestant was given 45 seconds to provide things that meet the criteria of "Mga sinasabit sa leeg".
Struggling to answer, the contestant was only able to answer "necklace," and as he ran out of time, Joey said with a laugh, "Lubid, lubid. Nakakalimutan ‘yon."
The MTRCB has since issued a statement that it will probe the incident.
“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,” the agency said in a statement on Monday.
Netizens were *not* happy with the remark, which they felt was a clear reference to suicide. "Joey De Leon" was a trending topic on X as users aired their sentiments, with many calling on MTRCB Chairman Lala Sotto (who also happens to be the daughter of EAT host Tito Sotto) to take action. They also felt Lala may be biased towards the show as her father is one of its hosts, also as Lala suspended rival noontime program It's Showtime, when Vice Ganda and his co-host and real-life partner, Ion Perez, licked icing off their fingers, an act deemed "indecent".
"This is a trigger warning clip about suicide and Joey de Leon can't shut his mouth," one netizen wrote. "Really? Mga bagay na sinasabit sa leeg ay lubid? REALLY, JOEY DE LEON? LALA SOTTO, ANO NA?"
"Rated SPG. Maaaring may maselang team, lenggwahe na hindi angkop sa mga bata. What Joey de Leon must realize is that, even if personally, he doesn't believe in depression and makes jokes of suicide it falls under MASESELANG TEMA," another netizen pointed out. "Your move, MTRCB. Hello, Lala Sotto."
"Lala will ignore, siyempre show ng tatay niya! Asa pa tayo na ipapatawag si Joey de Leon para i-explain side niya haist! Pero 'pag kain ng icing, may notice agad tapos suspension agad-agad, haist!"
While Joey's remark angered many netizens, fans of the host were quick to defend that answering "lubid" was not referring to suicide, but rather to the material used to tether animals.
"@mtrcb_ph This is to complain [about] Joey De Leon about his remarks on 'bagay na isinasabit sa leeg' na ayon sa kanya, 'lubid' ay nakalimutan sabihin," said a netizen. "This is triggering remarks for those who are experiencing mental health. Kung sabihin na sa hayop yung reference niya, 'di 'yon nilinaw."
This isn't the first time that Joey has earned the disapproval of netizens over mental health matters. In 2017, he *dismissed* depression as something made up.
"Gawa-gawa lang ng mga tao 'yan. Gawa lang nila sa sarili nila," he said.
At a time when mental health issues such as suicide and depression are no laughing matter, personalities must be mindful of their words, given their influence.
MORE ON JOEY DE LEON AND MENTAL HEALTH:
Joey De Leon Gets Backlash For His Joke About A Former Prostitute
What We Can Learn From Joey De Leon's Comments On Depression
