Ang Probinsyano

• Coco Martin[11] as PS/Insp. Dominador "Ador" B. de Leon[lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 3] and P/Cpt. Ricardo "Cardo" Dalisay[lower-alpha 4][lower-alpha 5][lower-alpha 6]

• Tirso Cruz III[24] Sec. Arturo "Art" M. Padua
• Ara Mina[25] as Ellen Padua
• Bianca Manalo[26] as Lourdes "Bubbles" Torres
• Jaime Fabregas[11] as Delfin S. Borja [lower-alpha 7][lower-alpha 6]
• Joel Torre[27] as Teodoro "Teddy" Arevalo / Juan Verdad / Jose Malaya[lower-alpha 8]
• John Prats[28] as PC/MSgt. Jerome Girona, Jr.[lower-alpha 6]
• Marc Abaya [29] as Jacob Serrano
• John Arcilla[30] as Renato " Buwitre" Hipolito
• Lorna Tolentino[31] as First Lady Lily Ann Cortez-Hidalgo
• Malou Crisologo[11] as Yolanda "Yolly" Capuyao-Santos
• Raymart Santiago[32] as P/Maj. Victor A. Basco
• Rowell Santiago[33] as President Oscar Hidalgo and Mariano (double)
• Angel Aquino[24] Diana T. Olegario
• Michael de Mesa[34] as Pat. Ramil "Manager" D. Taduran
• Seth Fedelin[35] as Macoy
• Shaina Magdayao[36] as P/Maj. Roxanne Opeña
• Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino[27] as Virginia "Virgie" R. Arevalo
• Richard Gutierrez[37] as Angelito "Lito" Valmoria
• Yassi Pressman[27] as Kapitana Alyana R. Arevalo-Dalisay

Hot off the heels of Martin's portrayal of PS/Insp. Garry Eraña on the "Plano" episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya which served as a tribute to the SAF 44,[38][39] ABS-CBN President and CEO Charo Santos-Concio floated the idea of creating of an action drama series that particularly aims to give importance to the police force in an effort to help them "regain the love and respect of the people". Coco Martin, who would be later named as the series' lead actor, was involved in the production shoot for the series, proposed that the production team create a television adaptation of Fernando Poe Jr.'s film Ang Probinsyano. When asked why Martin chose to adapt Ang Probinsyano, he explained that he and his grandmother enjoyed watching films of the action star growing up. The widow of Fernando Poe Jr., Susan Roces reportedly gave her blessing to the production team to adopt her late spouse's film.[40]

Ang Probinsyano is not a remake of the 1997 film of the same name. It was made to be run for months to be more suitable for teleserye viewers.[41]

The title of the original film was inspired by the term "pulis patola" which is occasionally used to tease newbie police officers. Since patola, or cucumber of the genus Luffa, is usually grown in the provinces outside urban areas such as Manila, the film was given the title Ang Probinsyano.[41]

A special tribute screening of the film was held on 20 August 2015, in celebration of FPJ's 76th birthday and ahead of the premiere of the TV adaptation.[42] The screening was attended by the cast of the series Coco Martin, Susan Roces, Maja Salvador, Bela Padilla, Beverly Salviejo and Jaime Fàbregas who also served as the film's musical director.[42]

The first trailer of the series was shown on 4 September 2015.[43]

The adaptation of the series was announced during a press conference on 18 May 2015. The event was attended by ABS-CBN President and CEO Charo Santos-Concio and series cast Coco Martin, Susan Roces, Albert Martinez, Angeline Quinto and Bela Padilla.

To prepare for the role, Martin and other cast members had to undergo police training,[44] Martin likewise attended PNP flag raising ceremonies to immerse himself in the role.[44][45] Martin also had to learn various martial arts and proper weapons handling.[44] Most his stunts were performed by Martin himself.[46] Martin also serves as the show's creative consultant,[47] later becoming one of the show's directors.[48]

For the role of leading lady, singer-actress Angeline Quinto was supposedly part of the main cast to play the role of Lily, an original character yet different role. Due to her conflicting schedules, however, she was later pulled out from the cast.[49][50][51][52] Quinto was replaced by Maja Salvador, who played the role of Glen.[53] This was Salvador's reunion project with Coco Martin four years after Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin.[54]

In April 2016, Bela Padilla was written off of the show. Padilla revealed that her role was only supposed to be part of the show for its first eight weeks but her character's stay was extended.[55] Padilla's character briefly came back in October 2016, appearing in Cardo's dreams and imploring him to deliver justice for her death.[56]

On the 7 April 2016 episode of the show, Eddie Garcia's character was teased during the funeral of Bela Padilla's character. On the following episode, Garcia's character Don Emilio Syquia would officially be unveiled as part of the show's cast.[57] Between the tail end of 2016 and February 2017, Garcia's character would not make any appearances on the series as Garcia was recuperating from the injuries he sustained from a car accident he figured in.[58][59] Towards the end of the show's fourth season, the Emilio Syquia character was seemingly killed off following a firefight with show lead Cardo Dalisay.[60] However, the fate of the character was intentionally left ambiguous in order to facilitate his eventual return.[60] Thus, Garcia sat out the rest of Season 5.[60] Garcia would make his return in the show's sixth season under the guise of Señor Gustavo Torralba whose criminal activity has shifted to illegal mining and forced labor.[61] The Emilio Syquia/Gustavo Torralba character would meet a permanent end after another encounter with protagonist Cardo Dalisay, which marked the exit of Garcia from the show after being with the show for almost 3 years.[62] Ang Probinsyano would be the final TV assignment of Garcia as he died on 20 June 2019.[63] A number of the show's cast then took to social media to pay tribute to the screen icon.[64][65]

In August 2016,[66] Maja Salvador left the series due to expiration of her contract with Dreamscape and numerous prior commitments (including the then-upcoming drama, Wildflower).[67] For many years after her exit from the show, the possibility of her character's return would be the subject of much speculation.[68][69] Yassi Pressman replaced Salvador as Martin's new love interest and joined the cast in the same month, playing the role of Alyana Arevalo.[27]

In January 2017, the show's popular sidekick, Pepe Herrera exited the show. Herrera left the show to migrate with his family to New Zealand.[70]

To kickoff the opening of the show's second book, the series added new cast members, led by Lito Lapid, Mark Lapid, Angel Aquino, John Arcilla, Jhong Hilario, Sid Lucero, Ronwaldo Martin and Mitch Valdez, among others.[61]

In May 2017, Simon Pineda left the series to focus on his studies and numerous prior commitments (including the filming of then-upcoming movies, Loving in Tandem and Ang Panday as well as his conflicts with Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids Season 2 and The Kids' Choice).[71]

In November 2017, Angeline Quinto finally joined the cast as a guest character, playing the role of Regine. Her character lasted until early February 2018.[72]

In March 2018, it was announced that Rowell Santiago, Edu Manzano, Dawn Zulueta and Alice Dixson will be the new additions to the series.[33] Santiago will play the President for the second-time since the hit teleserye Tanging Yaman in 2010.[73] On the other hand, Manzano is cast as Vice President Lucas Cabrera. Zulueta and Dixson will play the roles of First Lady Marissa Hidalgo and Second Lady Catherine Cabrera, respectively. Joining them are JC Santos, who previously guested on the show as the young Emilio Syquia,[74] as Marco Cabrera and Mark Anthony Fernandez as Congressman Brandon Cabrera.[75]

On 17 April 2018, Dreamscape Ad Prom Head, Eric John Salut, announced on Instagram that Ryza Cenon who had just transferred from the rival GMA Network was set to join the show as part of the First Family.[76] She was joined by Francis Magundayao and Heart Ramos.[76] On the same day, it was also announced that Jolo Revilla would also be joining the cast.[76]

In January 2019, Ryza Cenon left the series due to numerous prior commitments which includes the then-upcoming drama, The General's Daughter.[77]

In February 2019, it was reported that Lorna Tolentino was set to join the cast of the series as part of the show's sixth season.[78] On 11 March 2019, Tolentino made her debut as Lily Ann Cortez, Pres. Cabrera's bag lady who plans to pit Cabrera against Vendetta and side with whoever comes out victorious.[31] Originally, Tolentino's role was supposed fo only last for a month, but the intrigue created by her character led to her appearances being extended and eventually becoming one of the series' top antagonists.[79]

Between February and March 2019, Lito Lapid,[80] Jhong Hilario,[81] Mark Lapid and Edu Manzano[82] left the series in order to focus on their candidacies for the 2019 midterm elections.

On 13 September 2019, Coco Martin confirmed that he is in negotiations with Hollywood actors who can guest in the series.[83] On 8 December of the same year, Martin confirmed that Hollywood actors will join the show in 2020.[84]

The series airs weekdays on ABS-CBN's Primetime Bida evening block and worldwide via TFC. A marathon of the week's episode entitled FPJ's Ang Probinsyano: Action Marathon airs on Cine Mo! on Sundays.[85]

In 2019, the series was picked up by Netflix, which began streaming the series' first season under the title Brothers.[86]

On 16 March 2020, the series was put on hiatus and was temporarily replaced by reruns of episodes of May Bukas Pa as part of ABS-CBN's temporary programming changes in response to the Enhanced community quarantine caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines which necessitated a halt in its production.[87] On the same day, reruns of the show's first book started airing on Jeepney TV under the title FPJ's Ang Probinsyano: Ang Simula.[88]

Amid uncertainty as to its future following ABS-CBN's franchise expiration[89] and the subsequent cease and desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission,[90] on 4 June 2020, ABS-CBN announced that the show will return on the air via the Kapamilya Channel and Cine Mo! for cable and satellite TV as well as on TV Plus.[91][92] For the first two weeks of the show's return, a 10-episode recap will be aired for burning off before the new episodes are released beginning 29 June 2020.[91] On 15 June 2020, Ang Probinsyano made its return on the air under the tagline "Tuloy ang Laban",[93] which is the same day production is slated to resume.[94] Because the tapings entail a 5-week lock-in set-up, Susan Roces begged off joining these tapings.[95] Eventually, an arrangement was worked out to facilitate tapings for Roces as she would be shooting scenes from her own home which was explained in canon by having her character hide separately from Cardo.[96] To prepare for the show's return, Coco Martin met with former series star and current fight director, Senator Lito Lapid, to discuss plans for the series.[97]

Following the airing of Ang Probinsyano's 10-episode recap, its eighth season officially premiered on 29 June 2020.[98] The season 8 premiere was also streamed live on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube[98] Beginning 14 July 2020, Ang Probinsyano will be livestreamed on YouTube.[99] On its maiden livestream as a regular on the platform, the show garnered 56,000 live viewers.[99]

On October 10, 2020, the show will be back on free TV via the new A2Z Channel.[100]

FPJ's Ang Probinsyano was initially set to air until July 2016,[101] but the show was extended up to 2017 because of its action scenes, high ratings and "real life lessons" which were well received by the audience.[102] The series has also been known to educate its viewers about Philippine laws and issues.[103] To mark its first anniversary, a concert entitled FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano: Isang Pamilya Tayo the Anniversary Concert was held on 8 October 2016 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.[104] With the tickets to the event sold-out, the show was also made available on pay-per-view via Sky On Demand.[105]

On 21 April 2017, ABS-CBN announced that the action drama had officially been extended until January 2018.[106] In August 2017, the series celebrated 100 weeks on the air.[107] The following month, the series celebrated its second anniversary.

Owing to the show's consistently high ratings, it went past its January 2018 extension and was given another extension to run until June 2018.[108] With the show maintaining its high ratings, the show was yet again extended up to September 2018, at which point the series celebrated its third anniversary.[109] Said anniversary was celebrated on the 23 September 2018 episode of ASAP.[110]

On 4 July 2018, amid reports that the show was ending in September and will be replaced by either the Judy Ann Santos-starrer Starla or the Angel Locsin-led The General's Daughter,[111][112] ABS-CBN's Head of Corporate Communication Kane Errol Choa clarified that the show will not be ending any time soon.[111] Choa cited that Martin and his team of writers are "enjoying the process of coming up with creative ideas to make the story more compelling, as well as collaborating with the cast and the production team" on top of the continued high ratings the show registers. As to when the show is ending, cast member Malou Crisologo stated that the show was extended but that the management did not state until when the extension shall run.[113]

On 8 August 2019, Ang Probinsyano aired its 1000th episode,[114] which was celebrated by the show's staff on the set.[115] On 8 December 2019, the show belatedly celebrated its 4th Anniversary on that day's episode of ASAP Natin 'To.[116]

To promote the show, ABS-CBN has launched a line of tie-in merchandise which includes school supplies, apparel and toys, among others.[117]

In 2017, an endless runner app based on the show was released.[118] Developed by Xeleb Technologies, the game registered an impressive 50,000 downloads in the first five minutes of its release in May and by August of the same year, was approaching one million downloads.[119][120]

Ang Probinsyano has also been used as the theme of various attractions.[121] Among this is Misyon: Ang Probinsyano, an attraction offered by ABS-CBN Studio XP, which is a 4D interactive theater game with rules that are akin to the Filipino traditional game patintero.[122][123] Another is the escape room game FPJ's Ang Probinsyano: The Escape Room, a collaboration between ABS-CBN and Left Behind PH that features puzzles and tasks inspired by the series.[124]

• In the film version, Cardo (Kardo in the film) had a wife and children, who were murdered because the killers had mistaken Kardo for Ador.[125]
• Ador's guilt was the reason for their separation in the film version. In the TV series version, their grandmother had young Cardo adopted by a childless couple as a condition for the treatment of Cardo's injuries in Singapore.[125]
• Ador and Kardo did not have a grandmother in the film. In the TV series, the twins has a grandmother played by veteran actress Susan Roces, widow of the late Fernando Poe Jr.[125]
• Kardo's last name in the film version is still de Leon instead of Dalisay.[125]
• Cardo in the TV series is a SAF trooper in Botolan. In the film version, Kardo is Santa Marcela's Police Chief.[125]
• The main antagonists in the film version is a drug syndicate. In the TV series, it is a human-child trafficking syndicate whose line of business shifted to drug production and distribution.[125]
• The child Kardo adopted in the film version is a girl, while in the TV series version, it is a boy. Later, Cardo and his family would adopt five more children as part of his expanded family.[125]
• In the film, Ador's son is named Jerry;[125] while in the TV series, he named his son after him.
• Carmen, a love interest in both the film and the TV series is presented differently between the two versions. In the former, Carmen is a night club entertainer and the mother of the child Kardo adopts;[125] whereas in the latter, Carmen is the widow of Ador, replacing the film's Lily as Ador's wife.
• Salazar is the surname of the film version's Carmen. In the TV series, Guzman is Carmen's maiden name before she married Ador.
• The Glen Corpuz character was originally created for the TV series only.[125]
• Ador's superior in the film version, who devised the plan for Kardo to assume Ador's identity, is not Ador and Kardo's grand-uncle.[125]
• The person who killed Ador in the film version is a syndicate goon. In the TV series, Ador is killed by the main antagonist, a corrupt policeman.[125]
• In the film, the main antagonist is a corrupt police official under the payroll of the drug syndicate. In contrast, the main antagonist in the TV series is a corrupt police officer who is one of the leaders of and a family member of the human trafficking and drug syndicate.[125]
• The Paloma Picache[126] character was created for the TV series only,[lower-alpha 4] and was an idea proposed by lead actor Coco Martin to Dreamscape Entertainment. Paloma is actually Cardo in drag during his mission to rescue women who were kidnapped by a prostitution syndicate. Martin, who portrayed the character, said that he had to study the mannerisms of a woman for the role. He remarked that this particular role was hard noting that women spend about two hours doing their make-up for a date and on how it is hard and painful to walk on high-heels.[127][128] Cardo's "Paloma" persona also appeared in a storyline involving the blackmailing case of an American businessman.[129]
• Janus del Prado, Tom Olivar, Dindo Arroyo, and Joey Padilla[130] were the cast members from the 1997 film who made guest appearances in the TV series. In addition, Daniel Fernando,[131] Ricardo Cepeda, and Jethro Ramirez,[132] who were part of the 1998 film sequel, also made guest appearances in the telenovela. Jaime Fabregas, a main cast member, served as the musical director for both the film and its sequel.[130][131] Likewise, Manny Q. Palo, one of the directors of the show, wrote the screenplay to the film's sequel.

FPJ's Ang Probinsyano is considered one of the most-watched teleserye in the Philippines, garnering the highest-rated pilot episode of all time with 41.6% in 2015.[136] The series would post its highest peak nationwide rating of 46.7% on its 92nd episode in February 2016.[137] The series' highest rating stood for over two years until it was broken in the show's 782nd episode, garnering a nationwide rating of 47.2% in October 2018.[138] The series is well received by the public due to its action sequences, life lessons and crime prevention tips.

With the show's unprecedented run, more than a dozen shows have been pitted against it by the rival GMA Network. However, of the shows that has tried to oppose Ang Probinsyano, none has succeeded in supplanting it as the country's top-rating program.

Below is a list of the shows that have gone head to head with Ang Probinsyano.

On July 29, 2016, the MTRCB sent a summons to the producers, writers and directors of the show over a scene in its July 25, 2016 episode with "sexually suggestive themes".[153]

The scene in question sees Ella (Vice Ganda) having a hard time changing a flat tire in the rain, when Cardo pulls over to help out. In the course of the scene, double entendres were allegedly used in the dialogue between the characters.[153]

The MTRCB also noted that although the episode showed an apt SPG (Strong Parental Guidance) rating, pursuant to MTRCB Memorandum Circular No. 12-2011, said episode did not contain the appropriate descriptor "SEX" despite the presence of what may be considered 'sexually suggestive' shots in the subject depiction.[153]

A conference was held on August 2, 2016 wherein Malu Sevilla (director), Eileen Garcia (executive producer), Dagang Vilbar (producer), Elaine Songco (network MTRCB coordinator) and John Joseph Tuason (episode writer) attended. MTRCB Chairman Eugenio Villareal noted that the summoned personnel manifested that they had no intention to offend anyone in regard to the subject scene; and they believe that there is room for improvement for the program as regards sensitivity to particular types of audience, for instance, the young and women.[153]

Villareal likewise said that they took note of the show's "self-regulatory resolution" to fight objectification and depict scenes instead where the "dignity of the human person is upheld."[153]

Originally, Pulang Araw held camp at Mt. Arayat until SAF Troopers raided said camp, forcing them to escape to the fictional Mt. Karagao.

Behind the scenes, the show began removing all references to the Municipality of Arayat, Pampanga, beginning with its July 18, 2017 episode. However, despite the scrubbing of all mention to Arayat, on July 21, 2017, the Municipal Council of Arayat, Pampanga forwarded a Resolution to the Provincial Board of Pampanga demanding that the show's producers apologize for depicting Arayat “as a haven and breeding ground for terrorists and hoodlums”, said its Municipal Mayor Emmanuel Alejandro. The Resolution also “calls for a hearing and to make ABS-CBN apologize for the wrong impressions it created and to correct these [in the long-running telenovela]”.[154] The Municipality of Arayat, also contemplated filing charges of libel against ABS-CBN for the show's "damaging" portrayal of the town.[155]

The show's producers reasoned that Arayat was only used in the show nominally and the production has never shot an actual scene in Arayat. The producers said further that there was no intention to portray Arayat in a bad light; that a disclaimer was issued at the beginning of each episode of the show, stating that the characters, incidents and organizations depicted there were purely fictitious and bore no resemblance to actual people and events. ABS-CBN has since apologized to the Municipality of Arayat.[154]

Mayor Alejandrino also directed ire at former Pampanga Governors Mark Lapid and Lito Lapid for their participation in the storyline which taints the reputation of the town and province they once served. Coco Martin, the show's lead is also a native of Pampanga, hailing from San Fernando.[155]

Alejandrino said that the storyline the show is running is a sensitive topic in Arayat, which used to be a bastion for socialist and communist movements from the pre-World War II years up to the 1990s.[154] Alejandrino further said that contrary to what has been the reaction online to the course of action taken by the Municipality, they are not overreacting[156] and that they are only trying to protect the town's image, which has a lucrative tourist market.

The show's production team was called out online by fans of the spouses Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera over the alleged unauthorized usage of the spouses' family pictures.[157] The controversy first began gaining steam when a Twitter fan site dedicated to the spouse' daughter Zia, ZiaDantesFanSite‏ posted a video with the caption “Zia’s photo was unethically used by ‘Ang Probinsyano’ in Nov 2017. In last night's episode, [Dingdong and Marian] DongYan's photo was edited and used again by the show. Were the photos of Dingdong, Marian and Zia used [and] edited without permission? Dear Ang Probinsyano, strike two na po kayo ah.” which was quickly shared by other users and from which Dantes possibly gained knowledge of such usage.

Dantes' response to the controversy was posted on his Facebook account[158] "Courtesy and fair practice must always be observed especially in an established industry like ours. But whether or not it is done within the entertainment sector, we should always be reminded of the basic etiquette for online photo use and sharing that includes asking permission and/or citing sources. I do hope that this won't happen again to anyone." he wrote. In the same post, Dantes also shared an excerpt of his letter to the production team dated August 11, 2018 which read “I appreciate that you found artistic inspiration from the original photos. Unfortunately, there is the inescapable consequence that legal and moral rights were violated here. And as you may very well be aware of, established industry practice is against such act as it amounts to disrespect. Worst of all, as a father and husband, I cannot help but feel offended and deeply hurt by such actions, which happened not just once, but twice. Basic rules of courtesy in this case dictate that you first secure permission from the photographer and my Family.”[159]

On August 14, 2018, the production team of FPJ's Ang Probinsyano released a statement apologizing to Dantes and his family.[160] The statement explained that the production team hired a third-party contractor to create the props for the show, of which they were neither aware that the photograph belonged to Dantes nor was it intended to disrespect or offend Dantes and his family.

The producers added that they have already launched an investigation "to prevent a similar incident from happening in the future." Alice Dixson, likewise offered her apology to Dantes.[161]

Portraying members of the PNP as scalawags

After numerous special citations from both the PNP, DILG and other agencies, the show was placed at the center of the storm over its portrayal of government agencies, the PNP in particular, as part of the Book 3 (Political Arc) of the show.[162]

PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde, though admitting he is a fan of the show, criticized the portrayal of his fictional counterpart, Alejandro Terante (Soliman Cruz). He decried the character of Terante being portrayed as power-hungry and corrupt.[163] Following this, Albayalde withdrew support from the show.[164][165] Compounding the situation, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año also voiced his displeasure for the show's depiction of the police force. Año also threatened to file a case against the show's producers for the illegal use of insignas and uniform of the PNP, punishable under Art. 179 of the Revised Penal Code, if the show did not change its plot.[166][167] Senator Panfilo Lacson, a former PNP Chief himself, commiserated with Albayalde as he deemed the adverse depiction of the PNP unfair.[168][169]

Prior to the PNP's withdrawal of support, however, the series' lead Coco Martin apologized to the PNP for the perceived negative depiction of the PNP[170] and assured the latter that there is no intent to malign the PNP as evidenced by the disclaimer flashed before the beginning of each episode.[171] Martin also noted that Albayalde, being relatively new to his post, may have misconstrued the arc of the story and gave further assurance that the depiction of the men in uniform as scalawags would not be permanent considering that the story is developing.[172] ABS-CBN, for its part, also assured the PNP that it had no intention to disparage the PNP being that the series is a work of fiction.[173]

Many were also quick to defend the show and criticize the PNP for its sensitivity to its representation in the show. Among those that threw its support for Ang Probinsyano was Senator Grace Poe whose father starred in the original film on which the series is based. Poe points out that the show, apart from keeping the memory of FPJ alive promotes positive values like respect for elders, courage and patriotism. Poe further notes that the original film featured scalawag policemen as antagonists and urged the PNP to look at the story from a bigger picture, that it should not be forgotten that the series protagonist is a policeman himself.[174] Actress Jasmine Curtis-Smith criticized the PNP's reaction over the portrayal of its members on the show, also recalling how Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral earlier ran into the same problem.[175] The Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP), on the other hand, condemned the statements of the PNP and DILG as an attack on freedom of expression and likened the same to the AFP's red-baiting of Martial Law film screenings a month earlier.[176] Similarly, the Let's Organize for Democracy and Integrity (LODI) group slammed the PNP's attempt to censor the program and urged Año and Albayalde to "look in the mirror" instead.[177] Netizens also jumped in to the defense of the show.[178]

The MTRCB, through its chair Rachel Arenas, said that it cannot censor the show as the agency is a bridge between constitutionally protected freedom of expression and the right of the state to regulate. She adds that upon review of the show's episodes, she saw nothing objectionable about the portrayal of the police considering that the show still depicts the triumph of good over evil.[179]

After a meeting between Martin and the show's producers with the PNP and DILG, the latter handed its support anew to the show. In a joint statement by ABS-CBN and DILG, it was stated that the latter 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."[180] Thereafter, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the parties.[181]

"Atake" episode depicting rape and violence against policewomen

The show once again landed in hot water for a scene in the July 15, 2019 episode showing police women being raped by Bungo (Baron Geisler). Netizens were quick to point that the rape and violence against women shown on screen were too graphic. Members of the PNP also cried that the rape committed upon uniformed officers was a disrespect to their uniforms.[182] In a statement, PNP Deputy Spokesperson Lt. Col. Kimberly said that the PNP will talk to the production staff of the show and "[d]epending on the extent of the violation [we] may warn them or rescind the said MOU".[183]

The negative portrayal of the PNP was not the end of the show's woes, as the same controversy arising from the story arc created an off-shoot problem. PAO Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta also twitted the show for the "unauthorized" usage of PAO's seal, echoing Senator Lacson's statement. Moreover, she cried foul over a scene in the show where it was shown that PAO lawyers were unwilling to take a case that would pit them against the allies of President Lucas Cabrera (Edu Manzano).[184]

The show has also been hounded by rumors of its staff being maltreated on the set. Among the rumors that have circulated involves Coco Martin's alleged temper, which according to cast member Arjo Atayde is "a big, big misinterpretation". Atayde went on to explain that the gesture is only meant to remind everyone on the set to observe proper decorum, that Martin cares about the show that he wants it to be perfect as much as possible.[185]

Aside from Martin's alleged bad temper, he has also been alleged to have engaged in dousing the show's staff and cast members with water while they are sleeping.[186] The issue would crop up again a year later when Robin Padilla accused Martin of abusing the show's personnel by pouring water unto them; the former also alleged that Martin argued with a female location director wherein the latter lost his temper. Padilla made the claims amid his rants against ABS-CBN which was facing woes with the impending expiration of its franchise and stonewalling committed by the House of Representatives on the franchise renewal bills filed in its favor.[187] Dreamscape Entertainment, however, refuted Padilla's claim. Dreamacape vehemently denied that Martin maltreated the show's staff and explained that the incidences of water dousing is actually a prank among the cast and crew of the show.[188] This was corroborated by former cast member Atayde, who once again came to the defense of Martin.[189]

On 19 August 2019, Irene Minor, a supposed talent manager supplying talent to the show, became the subject of a complaint on the public service show Bitag. The complainant alleged that Minor was involved in a ponzi scheme and was not paying the talent she brought on the set of the show.[190] Minor contended that ABS-CBN was not paying her and that she was actually advancing payment to her talents through the investment scheme subject of the complaint against her.[190] ABS-CBN, for its part, denied Minor's claims, reasoning that Minor is neither connected to the show nor the network and that it had banned Minor after receiving numerous complaints similar to that being tackled on the program.[190]

The issue would be resurface as an alleged former cameraman of ABS-CBN launched the accusations anew against Martin following his statements rallying support for the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.[191] Actors, directors and staff members of the show came to the drfense of Martin and released statements in support of the show lead, refuting the allegations by the said cameraman point-by-point.[192]

Following Solicitor General Jose Calida's filing of a quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court seeking to nullify ABS-CBN's franchise, the stars of Ang Probinsyano joined the prayer vigil for the renewal of the network's franchise and appealed to members of the Congress to grant the same.[193]

Series lead Coco Martin became one of the most outspoken critics of the Duterte Administration after ABS-CBN was forced off the air without its franchise being renewed.[194][195] Martin launched tirades against the National Telecommunications Commission and Solicitor General Jose Calida for their hand in the shutdown of ABS-CBN, remarking that they have made fools out of Filipinos;[196] and presidential spokesperson Harry Roque for his statements on the future of ABS-CBN employees and the preferential treatment received by POGOs.[197] This led to internet trolls descending upon Martin's social media accounts,[198] leading the former to deactivate his Instagram account.[199]

Calida would retaliate against Martin during the 1 June 2020 committee hearings of the House of Representatives on the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise, quipping “He feels that he can solve their problems the same way as he solves them on screen, with macho bluster and bravado. Allegedly, he has apologized for his tantrum”, in reference to the Cardo Dalisay character.[200]

In the midst of the controversy, Martin explained that he was passionate about the fate of ABS-CBN because the family he was referring to in his statements was not his nuclear family, but the employees of ABS-CBN.[201] Martin also professed that doing Ang Probinsyano was the cast's service to Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad.[201]

Apart from Martin's statements, Ang Probinsyano and Cardo Dalisay emerged as top twitter trending topics on the day ABS-CBN was forced off the air[202] and after its return to air was announced.[203]

Amidst the hearings for ABS-CBN's franchise renewal, Ang Probinsyano's future continues to be threatened with reports stating that it would end by September 2020.[204][96] The threat to its future is further compounded by the alias cease and desist order issued to stop the broadcast of TV Plus and Sky Direct, further diminishing the network and the show's reach.[205]

While the show is a work of fiction, and obviates such fact by flashing a disclaimer at the start of each episode, the show has been known to tackle timely societal issues which it integrates into its story.[206] This melding of the fictional and the real has earned the show praise from critics and audiences alike, with some looking at Ang Probinsyano as a "social commentary of our times".[207]

However, while praises have been sung for its realistic portrayal of societal themes, such as the polarizing Philippine Drug War,[208] the long-running series has also been taken to task for perceived "unfair" depiction of various government agencies and its personnel.[162][206] Nevertheless, many came to the defense of the show citing that the show is fictional and the government agencies that have been offended should instead cleanse their ranks.[178]

In addition to depicting timely issues, the long-running action drama series also has been praised for showing good values on television such as patriotism, the importance of prayers, acceptance of members of the LGBT, and the paramount role of the family in the Philippine society among others.[209] According to sociologist Josephine Placido, the show has earned the title of "Pambansang Teleserye" because of the good values and life lessons the show depicts on television.[210]

The historian Xiao Chua, on the other hand, opines that the show gives Filipinos hope as it is structured in the "light-dark-light" form characteristic of Philippine epic poetry[210] which is also similar to how original film lead Fernando Poe Jr. structured his films.[211] On top of this, the Cardo Dalisay character himself is seen as a role model for being "steadfast and incorruptible".[206]

The show moreover extends its cause further by undertaking outreach programs to various communities.[209] Lead star Coco Martin has himself described the efforts put into the show as a service to the nation, for Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad.[201]

Aside from portraying timely social issues, the show has been known for producing public service announcements which it calls Ligtas Tips.[212] The PSAs airs during commercial breaks of the show, while infographics are also uploaded on the show's website.[213] In 2017, Ligtas Tips was collected into a book entitled FPJ's Ang Probinsyano Ligtas Tips published by ABS-CBN Publishing.[214]

The long-running program has become a favorite avenue for major stars of yesteryears to return to television.[215] Most notably, the show has played host to the return of action stars to the small screen after being inactive owing to the decline of the action genre in cinemas.[216] Action star and Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. praised Martin and the series as a blessing to former action stars and stuntmen.[217]

High-profile actors and action genre stalwarts, however, are not the sole beneficiaries of the show. Martin has also been known to cast former actors and actresses who are down on their luck in order to give them their second chance in showbusiness,[218] drawing from his experience during his beginnings in the industry and desiring to share the blessings he has reaped through the show.[219] Among these stars that were given their second chance are Mark Anthony Fernandez,[220] CJ Ramos,[220] Rhed Bustamante,[220] Whitney Tyson[220] and Mystica.[221]

The action drama series has not only seen the reintroduction of action stars to television,[216] but has also become channel to revive the long dormant action genre in both film and television.[222][223] Former series cast Jeric Raval[224] and Jolo Revilla[225] thanked Martin for reviving the action genre, while action star Ronnie Ricketts opines that Martin kept the genre alive.[226]

Much like the star of the original film,[227] Martin's take on the role has been characterized as "immortal".[228][229] The tag does not, however, come from Cardo Dalisay's uncanny gunslinging and fighting prowess that allows him to evade bullets and other attacks, but from the many times he has survived being "killed". This includes his "death" at the hands of Marco Cabrera (JC Santos), which was revealed to be a dream sequence[230] and his actual brush with death after being overpowered by Bungo (Baron Geisler).[231] Both these "deaths" and the numerous extensions the series has enjoyed has made it the subject of jokes and memes among Filipino netizens.[230][232][233] Coco Martin himself has acknowledged the numerous memes and jokes and posted his own meme stating that the show is set to end in September 2048.[234]

Martin has described the late Fernando Poe Jr. as his superhero.[235] Similar to Poe, Martin would also attain superhero status in his portrayal of the Cardo Dalisay character,[236] and in the face of ABS-CBN's franchise renewal woes, this would be tested - leading to some branding series star Martin as the "face of the resistance".[237]

Being the country's top-rating and longest-running action series, the show inevitably became a sought after platform for political endorsements. The show's involvement with politics began with Coco Martin's endorsement of Grace Poe for President in the 2016 national elections.[238] Martin would again endorse Poe in her bid for reelection as a Senator in the 2019 midterm elections.[239]

In a survey conducted by PUBLiCUS Asia, Inc. in 2018, it was found that Martin has the highest endorsement value among celebrities to voters in Metro Manila.[240] Earlier that same year, the names of the characters of the show were used in a mock election conducted by the COMELEC with Cardo Dalisay winning the post of Barangay Chairman.[241]

Martin and leading lady Yassi Pressman also dabbled into endorsing party-list groups, with the two supporting Ang Probinsyano party-list as representatives of the organization's youth sector.[242] The said party-list finished fifth which assured it a seat at the House of Representatives.[243][244] The partylist bid was contested by former AGHAM Partylist representative Angelo Palmones who alleged that the organization took the name of the television series to circumvent regulations limiting candidates' exposure on television.[245] The partylist received controversy when party-list representative Alfredo de los Santos figured in an incident in Albay that saw him punch a waiter "for no apparent reason".[246] The partylist launched a probe on the incident and De los Santos himself has since then apologized for the incident.[247]

Aside from the endorsement by the show's lead, actors with political aspirations sought exposure in the series to improve their visibility and profile among voters.[248] This necessitated characters played by the candidates to be written off the show before the start of their respective campaign periods.[249] Of the 9 former cast or guest cast members who ran for the 2019 midterm elections, only Lito Lapid and Jhong Hilario emerged victorious.[250] Despite this result however, the show was still considered a kingmaker as factoring Grace Poe finishing at second in the electoral race and two party-list groups bearing the show's name being within the top 10 among the assured seats in the House Representatives, its endorsement value was affirmed.[251][252]

In January 2016, Coco Martin was given a certificate of appreciation for his favorable portrayal of a highly dedicated and responsible CIDG Police officer in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano. The citation was given during the 63rd Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Founding Anniversary.[253]

In July of the same year, Martin was invited as a guest at Camp Crame by then-PNP Chief Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, a self-confessed fan of the show.[254] The visit became an occasion for the top cop to thank Martin for the positive portrayal of the PNP in the series.[255][256]

The show has received high praise from the Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno who stated that the police force should take the example of the lead character Cardo.[257]

On 14 September 2016, Surigao congressman Robert Ace Barbers filed House Resolution No. 358 at the 17th Congress of the Philippines. The resolution commended the show for its efforts to promote crime awareness and prevention among viewers and endorsed Coco Martin as “Celebrity Advocate for a Drug-Free Philippines.”[258]