MANILA, Philippines — All is well that ends well for the Department of Interior and Local Government and ABS-CBN after the two parties talked on Monday and resolved the issues related to the program “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.”
“It was a fruitful dialogue wherein both parties were thankful for the chance to express their views directly to each other,” the joint statement of DILG and ABS-CBN released Thursday read.
The television network and the government met in Camp Crame on Wednesday, days after DILG Secretary Eduardo Año mentioned the possibility of filing legal action against the producers of the show if the storyline is not changed.
Año mulled filing a complaint against the producers of the show, saying the agency “'[takes] issue' with the use of Philippine National Police’s name, logo, insignia and uniform.” He, however, recognizes that the show is a work of fiction.
READ: DILG, 'Ang Probinsyano' producers to hold 'constructive' talk over show
The head of its agency’s attached agency, PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde, also cried foul over the supposedly negative portrayal of cops in the teleserye that has been running for more than three years now.
Albayalde decried the portrayal of the country’s top cop, saying it is “far from reality.”
The PNP chief was backed by Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who is also a former top cop. He said it is “unfair” to portray PNP negatively amid the efforts of the current leadership to cleanse its ranks.
READ: Lacson calls PNP portrayal in ‘Ang Probinsyano’ unfair, Poe disagrees
The TV network, however, earlier defended its program, which according to them is just fictional and not meant to put the PNP in bad light.
The television program features the protagonist cop “Cardo Dalisay” portrayed by actor Coco Martin.
During the meeting, the DILG and PNP said it would support “Ang Probinsyano” following the talk.
“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,” the statement read.
“The DILG, including its attached agency the Philippine National Police, will continue to support 'FPJ's Ang Probinsyano' as it continues to inspire Filipinos with the valuable lesson that in the end, good will always triumph over evil,” it added.
For its part, ABS-CBN assured the government that the program will continue to portray Dalisay’s character “as a police officer with integrity, who is dedicated to serve and protect the people.”
In 2016, PNP recognized Martin for his portrayal of a police officer. —With reports from Gaea Katreena Cabico