The case of the “grossly unethical conduct” of “Wowowee” host Willie Revillame during the show’s Aug. 3 episode was the subject of an adjudication committee hearing at the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board offices in Quezon City on Thursday afternoon.
MTRCB chief Marissa Laguardia said Revillame and ABS-CBN, which produces and airs “Wowowee,” were asked to present evidence in their defense against the charge of violating Section 3c of PD 1986, for “being objectionable and contrary to ... customs and traditions paying respect to the dead.”
The complaint stemmed from Revillame’s objection to the insertion of videos of the late President Corazon Aquino’s cortege on the show. In a memorandum sent to the network on Aug. 11, Laguardia described Revillame’s behavior as a show of “arrogance and great disrespect to Filipino culture.” She said the TV host also violated the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas’ code of ethics.
The three-member adjudication board was chaired by lawyer Sonny Cases. Lawyers Mona Manalo and Cherry Cruz represented ABS-CBN. Revillame’s legal counsel Armando Marcelo attended on his behalf.
Another hearing has been set for Aug. 20.
Crucial hearing
Cases vowed to be “fair in resolving this case.” He said the show may be suspended or canceled, and if criminal liability is determined, “the guilty party” faces up to six years in prison. “Next week’s hearing is crucial,” said Cases.
Revillame is still on “indefinite” leave from the daily show even if Kris Aquino, in an interview on Monday on the late-night show biz program “SNN,” said her family has accepted Revillame’s apology.
Many viewers are apparently not as forgiving. At press time, 48,165 have signed an online petition seeking to ban Revillame from show biz. Revillame said he may just leave the show. “Even if I have the support of the network and the advertisers, kung ayaw na ng tao sa akin, what’s the use?”
Laguardia noted that another case has been filed against the TV host before the KBP. She said that, in a letter addressed to KBP president Herman Basbano, Arlene de Guzman-Ronquillo accused Revillame of “psychological violence” on account of some careless remarks
In October 2008, Ronquillo said, Revillame told a contestant: “May kaibigan ako gustong makipagkilala sa iyo ... binata daw siya ... si Raymond Ronquillo.” Raymond and Arlene are married, with children aged 12, 11 and 3.
Arlene said Revillame repeated the remark in March 2009 and that last July 28, Revillame said one of the dancers was Raymond’s ex-girlfriend.
Revillame told Inquirer that this case is already with his lawyers. “Raymond told me he had long split up with his wife,” he said. “They obviously have unsettled issues.”[Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer]
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Willie Revillame says he may just leave show
Aquino siblings accept Willies apology
The children of the late former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino have accepted the apology of “Wowowee” host Willie Revillame. "For our family, we take Willie's apology for what it is -- an apology and we accept the apology. Wala po sa kamay namin kung ano ang mangyayari in the future, pero I can speak on behalf of my sisters and my brother, we accept his apology," Kris, Cory’s youngest daughter, said. The actress-host made this statement on “SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon” Monday night amid criticisms hounding Revillame. Kris returned to SNN after taking a break from work to take care of her ailing mother, who died on August 1 after fighting colon cancer for more than a year. Kris confirmed that Revillame talked to her two older sisters –Ballsy and Pinky – over the phone to apologize and explain his side. According to Kris, Pinky told Revillame that, notwithstanding his intention, some people probably got offended by the way he ordered the removal of the simultaneous live broadcast of their mother’s funeral procession from his noontime show last August 3. But Pinky said she and her siblings understood him, according to Kris. "Sorry siya ng sorry kay Pinky. And Pinky said, 'As far as I'm concerned Willie, it's finished. Let's move on. Okay, we accept your apology,’" Kris said. Revillame repeated his apology on August 9 when he talked to Ballsy. "Noong nagso- sorry si Willie kay Ate, sinabi ni Ate sa kanya, 'Alam mo Willie, noong time na nagkaroon ng problema ang puso mo…we were in Ate's house, kakakain lang namin ng dinner, naka-on ang TV sa TV Patrol. And niyaya namin ang mom na pumasok na sa kwarto kasi time na para mag-rosaryo." “And then mom said, ‘Wait, I want to know kung kumusta na si Willie.' And then Ate told Willie, 'Alam mo, mom really loved you and she really appreciated the fact na ang bait mo sa mga anak ni Kris.'" “And sinabi ni Ate sa kanya na, 'Willie as far as our family is concerned, nag-sorry ka na. Tinatanggap namin ang apology mo,’" Kris said. Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III also told Senate reporters that he was willing to accept Revillame’s explanation. “I take what he said at face value, na wala siyang insultong gustong iparating sa aming pamilya,” he said. He added: “Pero I understand he talked to our eldest sister, Ballsy, yesterday. At gusto ko lang tingnan, siguro nga naman hindi appropriate na may solemn occasion na parang kino-cover [tapos], on the other hand, meron kang show devoted to eliciting laugher and fun," Due to the controversy, Revillame went on an indefinite leave from "Wowowee." Sanctions Despite the Aquino siblings’ acceptance of Revillame’s apology, the Kapisanan ng Broadkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) will still look into the issue. “It’s a mitigating factor on the fact that the family was not offended… kahit may mitigating factor, it does not mean the complaint is not valid… depende kung ang complaint that was filed ay nagme-merit ng sanctions,” said KBP vice chairman Ruperto Nicdao Jr. in a radio dzMM interview. The KBP, which ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. is part of, received complaints from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) and Jerry Yap, president of Alyansa ng Filipinong Mamamahayag (AFIMA), with regard to Revillame’s “unethical conduct.” On Monday, Diana Gozum, chairwoman of KBP standards authority (SA), asked the ABS-CBN management to answer the complaints within five days. The letter is addressed to Bong Osorio, head of ABS-CBN corporate communications. Nicdao said SA will decide whether to file a case against Revillame and ABS-CBN once it receives their replies. Based on KBP rules and regulations, for first offense, the organization can slap a monetary fine and reprimand on both Revillame and ABS-CBN. “This might be a grave offense kung saka-sakali. Kung light offense, P5,000 [ang multa], kapag serious, P10,000, at kapag grave P30,000 at reprimand,” he said. For second offense, the group can slap a monetary fine on ABS-CBN and Revillame and order their suspension. “So, ang hindi ko sigurado ngayon, if there was a previous violation of the same sort kay Willie at ABS-CBN that will merit a suspension,” he said.
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com
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Willie Revillame violated code of ethics according to MTRCB
ABS-CBN noontime host Willie Revillame’s “objectionable" way of removing the live video of former President Corazon Aquino’s cortege from his popular midday program “Wowowee" last Monday violated the broadcast code of ethics, an official of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) said.
NO TO WILLIEThe online petition calling for TV host Willie Revillame's ouster from his "Wowowee" show in ABS-CBN has already attracted thousands of angry respondents.
As of 5 p.m. Saturday, Roel Saguisag's petition has gathered 16,642 signatures, with at least 40 new respondents every ten minutes. PetitionOnline noted that "Petition to Oust Willie Revillame" is the second most active petition on the site.
This is also the second time since Kevin Nadal's online petition for an apology from the "Desperate Housewives" producers in 2007 that a Filipino-made petition has generated such buzz on the site.
"Was it really hard for him to be humble and human?" Saguisag wrote in his petition, "Pres. Aquino taught us humility and Revillame is showing us the exact opposite."
Source: http://www.gmanews.tv
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Willie on leave 'indefinitely'
Willie Revillame is on leave “indefinitely” in the wake of the controversy generated by his order to cut the simultaneous live broadcast of the procession of President Corazon Aquino's remains from his noontime show last August 3. “Yes, naka-leave [siya]. From his (Revillame) own text [message] to me, indefinitely. Indefinitely, can be two days or three days,” Bong Osorio, head of ABS-CBN's corporate communications, told abs-cbnNEWS.com in a phone interview. In an interview with the entertainment website, Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP), Johnny Manahan, a Star Magic executive, said Revillame "has been asked to go on leave" beginning Monday, August 10. Revillame, YES! magazine's most powerful entertainer, has been conspicuously absent from his show since Saturday. His female co-hosts, Mariel Rodriguez, Pokwang, Valerie Concepcion and RR Enriquez, have taken over “Wowowee” in his absence. "He feels isolated and beleaguered... I don't know when he will be back. Maybe, he will soldier on and do the two-week leave, or again, he may be back next week. Meanwhile, he has a real time to rest, be alone, and contemplate the future," Manahan told PEP. Manahan defended Revillame from critics who have lashed at the host for being "arrogant." Contrary to criticisms, the Star Magic executive said the “Wowowee” host is "simple, compassionate and a pushover." Manahan also pointed out that the "Wowowee" host would never disrespect the late former president and her family. Manahan admitted though that Revillame did not carefully choose his words when he ordered a stop to the live broadcast. The live broadcast showed the transfer of Mrs. Aquino's body to Manila Cathedral from La Salle Green Hills on August 3, prompting an irked Revillame to have it cut. Revillame explained that it was inappropriate to broadcast the funeral procession while they were having fun inside the studio. Revillame's action last Monday drew instant criticism from various quarters, particularly in various online forums. On August 4, Revillame publicly apologized, but said he was standing by his decision to have the simultaneous broadcast removed on air. He also disclosed that he had asked ABS-CBN entertainment production head Linggit Tan to remove it, and that he only blew his top when he saw the broadcast again on the screen. He also said that he never meant to offend people. He said his only intention was to give respect and make the occasion a solemn one. Osorio, meanwhile, said Revillame has already “apologized and the Aquino family has accepted it.”
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com
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Wowowee stampede
Wowowee! is a leading noon-time variety broadcast by ABS-CBN in the Philippines in which Willie Revillame is the main host. The show premiered on February 5, 2005 and airs live through weekdays and Saturdays. It is also broadcast worldwide through ABS-CBN's The Filipino Channel. The show is broadcast from ABS-CBN Studio 3 in Quezon City.
On Wowowee's first year anniversary, a mass tragedy happened when a stampede broke out on February 4, 2006 6:00 AM local time at the PhilSports Arena while people were waiting for the show to begin on 1:00 PM local time. 74 people died (according to reports, 71 were dead) and hundreds were injured. It is said that the cause of the stampede is on the line where people get tickets for the show and when the security of ULTRA closed, causing people to rush to enter the gates. Others say that a man shouted that there was a bomb, causing panic. It is the deadliest accident to have occurred in a television event in all the whole history of Philippine broadcasting. After the chairman of ABS-CBN, Gabby Lopez, accepted full responsibility for the tragedy, on March 11 of the same year, the variety show was relaunched.
On August 24, 2007, in a 7-page resolution the Department of Justice dismissed criminal charges against Revillame in connection with the infamous PhilSports Arena stampede. But Raul Gonzalez affirmed the charge against 14 other respondents, including ABS-CBN Network officials led by executive vice president Charo Santos Concio. A 5-man DOJ panel of prosecutors led by Atty. Dacera earlier ruled in an 80-page resolution that the organizers of the Wowowee game show were guilty of gross negligence.
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Magandang Tanghali Bayan Suspensions
Willie became a co-host of 'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila on ABS-CBN in 1998. He then joined his former Lunch Date co-host Randy Santiago and John Estrada in a new noontime show Magandang Tanghali Bayan (MTB), which replaced 'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila. He immediately bonded with his co-hosts and the three were noted for their comic chemistry.
The newborn triumvirate of Santiago, Estrada, and Revillame was noticed by the viewers. Criticism followed Willie's new-found fame as TV host. Some branded the new trio as a rehashed version of the more established Tito, Vic and Joey, their rival counterparts in the other noontime show, Eat Bulaga on GMA 7. Other viewers and critics denounced Willie for acting like a "sex maniac" with his vulgar behavior with the Calendar Girl contestants in MTB.
Magandang Tanghali Bayan started its first live episode on November 30, 1998. In August 1999, Randy, John and Willie were suspended by ABS-CBN from Magandang Tanghali Bayan because of the vulgar jokes that they threw at the contestants that joined the contest during the show's portion Calendar Girl. The suspension was meted after MTRCB, then headed by Armida Siguion-Reyna, issued a warning on ABS-CBN regarding MTB. A week later, the whole noontime show was suspended and was replaced temporarily by Esep-Esep.
In 2001, Willie was terminated from Magandang Tanghali Bayan after he defied orders from ABS-CBN management to refrain from making vulgar jokes. He was replaced in the show by the matinee-idol triumvirate of Marvin Agustin, Dominic Ochoa and Rico Yan†. Soon after, he started appearing as guest star in some GMA 7 shows, fuelling speculations that he will soon be transferring to ABS-CBN's rival network. But after guesting at GMA 7, there was no news coming from Willie's camp except for his appearance during an EDSA 3 rally.
When Magandang Tanghali Bayan went off air, it made a comeback with a different title Masayang Tanghali Bayan with almost the same group, plus new hosts. Then in December 2003, the MTRCB ordered ABS-CBN to terminate Willie from the show, when he remarked nasty jokes with Masayang Tanghali Bayan mainstay Mahal, but before the order could be carried out, the host-comedian filed his resignation instead. In January 2004, Willie appeared on ABS-CBN's The Buzz and made a tearful farewell appearance full of tears.
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Willie apologizes anew, MTRCB eyes sanctions
"I am asking forgiveness to those who were offended. I hope you understand I had no intention to offend. If there are people who were offended, I apologize. For myself, my intention there was to give respect and make the occasion a solemn one." This, in a nutshell, was TV host Willie Revillame's response to mounting criticism being leveled against him for ordering the removal of the video of President Corazon Aquino’s cortege, which was being beamed live simultaneously with his noontime show "Wowowee" last Monday. Willie said most reports coming out in Internet sites took his comments out of context since the funeral cortege was shown at least twice during the airing of "Wowowee." He said he called up ABS-CBN management immediately during a break to request that the video be removed since he felt that the show's jovial mood was inappropriate for the cortege's somber mood. He said he could no longer contain his emotions after seeing the seond update of the cortege. "My intention there was not to disrespect the former president but to give respect. Sana lang po ay habang nagluluksa tayo ay hindi kami nakikitang nagsasaya, parang hindi kami nakikidalamhati," he said in an ABS-CBN interview. "Kung ako'y hindi nila wine-welcome at sa tingin ko ho na ako'y hindi na welcome sa bawa't Pilipino, sa araw-araw na gusto nila makasama, ako po'y aalis na sa programa," he said. Outrage overflows vs Willie Revillame's action last Monday drew instant criticism from various quarters particularly in various online forums. An online petition, which has gathered 9,709 signatures as of 3 p.m. Friday, urged ABS-CBN management to sanction Revillame for his arrogance and for showing a bad example to the youth. It also urged advertisers to stop supporting "Wowowee" until Revillame is removed as host. http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?badwilly Lourdes Dee Dee Siytangco, spokesperson of the Aquino family, also issued a strongly worded rebuke against Revillame. The statement read: "It is regrettable and a crass attempt to desecrate the memory of the beloved Tita Cory." The Alyansa ng Filipinong Mamamahayag (Afima) also issued a statement condemning Revillame's action as a "blasphemy of democracy" and urged the Movie and Televisions Review and Classification Board to sanction the TV host. "He may have the right to demand it, but he never waited until the next commercial break to quietly do it. He expressed his angst against Corazon Aquino funeral being shown side by side his “Wowowee” right before the dumbstruck millions of Filipino viewers around the globe," Afima said. MTRCB: Willie violated KBP code The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, meanwhile, said it is eyeing possible sanctions against Revillame. It said Revillame's comments falls under MTRCB's jurisdiction and violates Presidential Decree 1986 Section 3c which states that the MTRCB may sanction portions of programs deemed "indecent, contrary to law and or good customs and injurious to the prestige of the Republic of the Philippines or its people." "It's really a violation of PD 1986 and the [Kapisanan ng Brodkaster ng Pilipinas] Code. He should have had respect. He should gone off air," MTRCB Chairwoman Consoliza Laguardia said. She said the MTRCB will send a letter to ABS-CBN management next week about its decision on Revillame's case. Revillame, meanwhile, said he will respect the decision of the government censors. He added, however, that what is important is that he has already explained himself to the Aquino family. "Kung may pagkakasala ako at kailangan niyo akong ipakulong, e di magpapakulong ako," he said. "Ang importante ay nakausap ko na ang Aquino family. Natanggap nila na wala akong intensyon na mambastos sa kanila."
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com
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