Show goes on: Producer and gov’t resolve their differences over ‘Ang Probinsyano’

Coco Martin, lead star and director of Ang Probinsyano. Photo: ABS-CBN News
Coco Martin, lead star and director of Ang Probinsyano. Photo: ABS-CBN News

Fans of the hit television show Ang Probinsyano can heave a sigh of relief.

A joint statement was issued today by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the show’s producer ABS-CBN which says that they have “resolved the issues” related to the show during a discussion at Camp Crame yesterday.

The statement comes a few days after DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said they are considering filing a case against ABS-CBN to “protect the image” of the Philippine National Police (PNP). No less than PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde blasted the show for what he said is its unfair portrayal of the police force.

The controversy got so heated that it led a non-government organization to tell Año and Albayalde to quit their jobs and apply as scriptwriters for Ang Probinsyano instead.

Ouch.

The joint statement reads: “The PNP stated the importance of the support and respect of the people to its organization, while recognizing ABS-CBN’s freedom to create and convey the story of the program.

For its part, ABS-CBN assured them that the program will continue to portray [lead character] Cardo Dalisay as a police officer with integrity, who is dedicated to serve and protect the people.”

It ended by saying that the PNP and the DILG will continue to support the show “as it continues to inspire Filipinos with the valuable lesson that in the end, good will always triumph over evil.”

So all is well and good?

This means fans can continue to watch the show, which has been on the air since 2015. It’s such a ratings powerhouse that competing shows from rival network GMA-7 folded up, including Victor Magtanggol which stars big-name actor Alden Richards.

Online, people are happy with the development, including @mheldyg.

Photo: Screenshot from ABS-CBN PR's Instagram account
Photo: Screenshot from ABS-CBN PR’s Instagram account

One netizen couldn’t help but still criticize the government, however, whom he said didn’t want the truth to be known.

Photo: Screenshot from ABS-CBN PR's Instagram account
Photo: Screenshot from ABS-CBN PR’s Instagram account

On Facebook, Timothy P. Daquioag joked: “They (DILG and PNP) said so many things when all they just want to happen is to see and have their picture taken with [the show’s lead star] Coco Martin.”

Photo: Screenshot from ABS-CBN News' Facebook account
Photo: Screenshot from ABS-CBN News’ Facebook account

Sam Pascal, obviously not a fan of the show, said: “That’s good. Now please end that television series.”

Photo: Screenshot from ABS-CBN News' Facebook account
Photo: Screenshot from ABS-CBN News’ Facebook account

For those who haven’t seen it, Ang Probinsyano (literally “The Man from the Province”) is about a noble cop named Cardo Dalisay (Coco Martin).

Originally from the province, he is assigned to Manila where he has to deal with corrupt cops and a dysfunctional national government.



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