One of the most controversial shows on Philippine TV today is TV5's Face to Face, a daily late morning program that features two opposing parties slugging out their issues against each other against a backdrop of expert advisers that aim to help them reconcile.

But while Face to Face is a big win for TV5 due to its rising ratings, rumors continue to hound the show, alleging that the show's issues are "scripted," and its participants are "paid" to air their dirty linen.

Other viewers are also protesting the "violence" on the show—most of the time, the different parties engage in physical altercations.

"Hindi na ko magpapaliwanag pa," Amy Perez, Face to Face's host, told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and the other entertainment press during a presscon held for the show last Friday, July 23, at Max's Restaurant along Scout Tuazon Street, Quezon City.

Amy added, "Inaanyayahan ko na lang sila na pumunta sa studio sa TV5 at manood, para makita talaga nila mismo kung scripted nga ba o hindi."

The press conference was held to clarify issues against the show, as well as to promote it's outreach initiative, the "Payo sa Bayan," which will offer free legal, spiritual, and psychological advice to every barangay in Metro Manila.

Present in the panel were Amy and her co-host Hans Mortel.

Also present were executive producer Melissa San Luis and the members of the Trio Tagapayo, or the show's resident advisers: Atty. Persida Acosta, the chief legal counsel of the Public Attorney's Office; Fr. Gerry Tapiador, a theology professor, book author and former college dead of San Carlos Seminary; Fr. Sonny Merida, parish priest of St. Peter Parish in Quezon City; Dr. Camille Caces-Garcia, a child psychologist and CEO of an acute and chronic psychiatric facility; and Dr. Rose Llanes, a professor at UP Manila and president of the Integrated Professional Counselors Association of the Philippines.

NOT SCRIPTED. The first issue that the Face to Face clarified is the allegations that the show is "scripted."

According to Atty. Percida Acosta and Dr. Rose Llanes, the show cannot be scripted because they would be putting their careers and credibility on the line.

"Kasi kung scripted ito, matagal na kong umalis," Atty. Acosta, one of the most-respected lawyers in the country, told the entertainment press.

Dr. Llanes agreed. "Ito ang nagpapatunay na hindi siya scripted."

Acosta continued, "Sabi ko nga wala pong script 'to. Meron lang mga cue, sinasabi kung ano yung mga gap, ano yung mga portion. Actually, yung sinasabi ko sa VTR kanina, darating ako sa studio, hindi ko alam kung ano ang pag-uusapan. Pagdating doon, para akong walking library, na kailangang sagutin yung tanong ni Amy na, 'Ano ba ang batas, Attorney?' Kaya para akong nasa examination room. Tapos siyempre, uumpisahan ko nang i-coordinate kina Father ang spiritual sa batas, kay Dra. Rose at Dra. Camille ang psychological aspect. Kasi po hindi kumpleto ang payo kung hindi nagsasama-sama ang Trio Tagapayo."

The issues presented in Face to Face, Acosta explained, are genuine. Besides, she added, it would be hard for them to craft daily scenarios and characters for every episode of the daily show.

"Wala po talagang script yun. Dahil, pansinin niyo, halos araw-araw-mula Lunes hanggang Biyernes, minsan may Linggo pa. Ano, araw-araw, may bago kang artista, at gagawa ng eksena? Napakahirap naman no'n," she said.