MTRCB suspends ‘Willing Willie,’ puts show under probation

source: mb.com.ph

MANILA, Philippines – The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) imposed a one-month suspension on TV5’s “Willing Willie” and placed the show in an “indefinite probation status.”

In a 14-page decision issued on May 2 and posted on the board’s official website, May 3, MTRCB ruled that "Willing Willie" is liable for the violation of Section 3(c) of PD 1986, or the MTRCB Charter.


This provision authorizes MTRCB to stop the exhibition of a particular show if the board deems it “immoral, indecent, contrary to law and/or good customs, injurious to the prestige of the Republic of the Philippines or its people, or with a dangerous tendency to encourage the commission of violence or of wrong or crime.”


The MTRCB ruling, likewise, cited that the respondents in their complaint (namely TV5, head of the network’s Airtime Management Department Ramon Del Rosario and Wil Productions, Inc.) have admitted to committing “lapses” in the “implementation and supervision of the audition processes for the program.”

In making the ruling, the board had put into consideration the self-regulatory measures that TV5 implemented to address the controversy.


Its ruling also noted the board's decision to deduct the days that “Willing Willie” went into voluntary suspension beginning April 11 from the month-long suspension they are imposing. As such, MTRCB Adjudication Committee chairman, Noel Del Prado, explained to GMA News that the suspension would already be lifted on May 8, one month from the show's last airing date.


However, the show will only be allowed to go on air again if it secures a permit for each episode. This, the MTRCB required “in order for the board to properly monitor the self-regulatory measures undertaken and implemented by the respondents.”


In an interview aired on “TV Patrol” on May 3, MTRCB Chairperson Grace Poe-Llamanzares said that the probation sanction is for the protection of the viewers and even the show in question.

“They have to be able to demonstrate na seryoso sila sa kanilang mga proposed na pagbabago. At saka para maiwasan rin kung saka-sakali na magkaron ng repetisyon,” she said.
The same probation will also be implemented should a different show replace “Willing Willie,” the “TV Patrol” report added.


Llamanzares clarified, however, in another interview on “24 Oras” that the probation is still “open-ended" as it is still subject to the evaluation of the MTRCB adjudicating committee.


“Kung sa tingin nila ay hindi na kailangan ‘yung probation ay… magpapadala na sila ng sulat na hindi na per episode ang submission ng permit,” Llamanzares explained.


In the same GMA News interview with Del Prado, he said that the board would be reviewing the recorded videos that the show’s producers are required to present before permits can be issued.

"Hindi naman matagal ang proseso. Papanoorin lang namin ang video kung wala namang hindi kaaya-ayang nangyari sa araw na iyon, mag-iissue kami kagad ng permit on the same day," said he.


MTRCB launched an investigation on “Willing Willie” weeks ago after it received complaints regarding the alleged abusive treatment of a six-year-old “macho-dancing” boy in one episode, having been egged on by the show’s host Willie Revillame and cheered on by the audience even when he was already in tears.

Rumors of a “Willng Willie” comeback had already spread prior to the announcement of MTRCB’s ruling.

Jay Montelibano, business unit head of the show, told PEP on May 3 that, "We can already start airing May 9 but we're still discussing internally, while rehearsals are ongoing daily, if May 9 is already a go."


Also on May 3, Revillame's legal counsel, Leonard De Vera, released a statement saying: "We reserve the legal option to file a Motion for Reconsideration to the decision of the MTRCB. We are, however, comforted by the MTRCB NOT having found that Willie or the program or TV5 committed acts of child abuse or exploitation or child cruelty."


In light of the uproar over the show, the MTRCB called on celebrities and other TV personalities to “exercise the highest degree of care and diligence” in their work. They, as well as TV networks, should “educate themselves” on matters such as gender sensitivity, rights of women, children, and the “marginalized sectors” in the society.


“We are duty-bound to fight for a TV industry that does not only make us ‘eat for a day,’ but an industry that inspires, transforms, and moves us, to live better lives,” said the board.


In a statement, Froilan Grate and the Para Sa Mga Bata Movement embraced MTRCB’s move, particularly its commitment of monitoring “Willing Willie” every day as it will “help ensure that the further abuse, degradation and humiliation of contestants, especially of children, will be prevented from happening again on this show.”


But the “struggle” continues, the group added.


“It is incumbent upon us, the members of this community, as well as media institutions, government agencies, and other responsible sectors of society, to remain vigilant and focused on the issue of children’s sexualization in media,” they said.


Grate, the administrator of “Para kay Jan Jan (Shame on you, Willie Revillame!)” Facebook page, as well as blogger John Silva and child psychologist Lourdes “Honey” Carandang, were slapped with libel and child abuse cases by the parents of the six-year-old boy.

source: mb.com.ph