DILG eyes lawsuit vs. ‘Ang Probinsyano’ if plot not changed

FILE: ‘Ang Probinsyano’ lead star Coco Martin (Photo: mr.cocomartin/Instagram)

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said it is considering to take a legal action against ABS-CBN’s FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano if the program does not change its plot.

“We will seriously consider filing legal action and imposing sanctions including the prohibition on the use of PNP (Philippine National Police) uniforms, properties and even using the acronym of the organization (PNP) if ‘Ang Probinsyano continues with their grossly unfair and inaccurate portrayal of our police force,” DILG Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said on Friday, November 16.

Malaya issued this statement after PNP chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde lamented the negative portrayal of police officers in the long-running action drama series, saying that it is “unfair” for them to portray something that is not actually happening in their organization. His statement was supported by Senator Panfilo Lacson, who was himself a former PNP chief.

Albayalde also added that he even plans to write a letter to the Movie Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) and the show’s producer regarding the depiction of the police force.

The DILG spokesman said the agency will also look at possible violations of the Children’s Television Act of 1997 as the show “may have violated the National Council for Children’s Television standards for television programs that should be child-friendly.”

Broadcast network ABS-CBN earlier assured the PNP that there was no “intention” to tarnish the reputation of any organization or depict any person in a negative way, stressing that the elements of the program are “purely fictitious.”

It also noted that the show portrayed its main character, Cardo (played by actor Coco Martin), as a “hardworking police officer dedicated to saving lives and serving his fellowmen.”

Martin, for his part, also defended Ang Probinsyano and offered to talk with Albayalde to discuss his concerns on the show.

The hit television series, which started airing in 2015, is based on the 1997 Fernando Poe, Jr. film of the same title.

Poe’s daughter, Senator Grace Poe, also came to the show’s defense, saying that it does not only honor her father’s legacy in the industry but also offers Filipino viewers “quality entertainment that espouses the values of family, respect for elders, courage and patriotism.”

“Let’s not overlook the redeeming value this has to offer. In the end, the menace will be subdued by what is true and good,” the lady senator said.

[READ: Senator Grace Poe shares positive opinion on ‘Ang Probinsyano’]