Legal drama 'Ipaglaban Mo' to return to ABS-CBN

MANILA - "Kapag May Katwiran, Ipaglaban Mo," the hit legal drama anthology that aired on ABS-CBN until 1998, is set to return to television, the Kapamilya network has announced.

According to actor-director Eric Quizon, who will helm one of the first episodes of the new "Ipaglaban Mo," the show will retain the original's format wherein a variety of real-life court cases are dramatized for TV.

Returning as hosts of the series are Atty. Jose Sison and son Jopet Sison, who recently signed a one-year contract with ABS-CBN.

"Nagbabalik ang 'Ipaglaban Mo' [sa ABS-CBN]. Everything is going in full circle, parang gano'n ang nangyayari," Quizon said, referring to various iterations of the program, which also aired as "Kapag Nasa Katwiran, Ipaglaban Mo" on GMA News TV.

Explaining the appeal of the show to the Filipino audience, Quizon added, "Alam naman natin lahat na ang 'Ipaglaban Mo' was a top-rater before."

"I guess kung meron mang shows na dapat ibalik at ipalabas ulit, [dapat] 'yung impact no'n before, sa impact ngayon, would be the same. [Sa 'Ipaglaban Mo,'] siyempre, true stories ang mga pinagbabasihan natin, at hindi tayo mauubusan ng mga true stories," he said.

'Walang labis, walang kulang'

Quizon will be directing an episode based on a rape case involving two minors, with the suspect eventually sentenced to life in prison.

Noting the afternoon time slot of "Ipaglaban Mo" and the sensitive topic of the episode, Quizon admitted he finds it challenging to translate the case to TV drama and having to work with certain "limitations."

"Ang mahalaga is makwento natin nang tama, makwento natin nang walang labis, walang kulang sa totoong istorya," he said.

While "Ipaglaban Mo" aims to impart tips or lessons about legal cases, Quizon explained that the series is mainly concerned with the theme of justice, and how the lives of those involved in a court battle are affected.

"Maski nasaang panig ka, iyon din ang ipapakita natin dito, kung ano ang pinagdadaanan ng pamilya," he said.

"Ipaglaban Mo" will premiere in June as part of ABS-CBN's Yes! Weekend lineup.