source: manila bulletin
MANILA, Philippines – Beleaguered network TV5 questioned on April 7, the jurisdiction of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) over the recent brouhaha on “Willing Willie.”
In a press statement issued by the network, TV5 represented by ACCRA Law argued that "the MTRCB has no jurisdiction over the subject matter, particularly that the Complaint is a direct accusation of alleged acts of child abuse, which is criminal in nature.”
The release of the network’s statement coincided with the second day MTRCB was conducting its initial investigation on the controversial March 12 episode in which kid contestant Jan-Jan Suan danced ala macho dancer in the show’s “Wiltime Bigtime” segment.
TV 5 asserts that "even assuming the MTRCB has jurisdiction, the creation and composition of the present panel do not afford TV5 due process, particularly its right to be heard by an impartial tribunal, considering that all three panel members are conflicted as they have close links or relationships with a rival network involved in legal cases with TV5 and Willie Revillame.”
The network observed that a rival network has also aired dance numbers of children with very similar dance movements as those of Jan Jan's and that “these dance performances aired in the other network were presented to the MTRCB at today's hearing.”
Jan-Jan’s controversial videos posted on YouTube and Facebook, according to TV5, were “deliberately spliced and edited to put the program Willing Willie and its host Willie Revillame, as well as the program's live audience, in the worst possible light.”
It was "as if the boy had been coerced, and as if Revillame had acted callously to humiliate the young contstant.”
TV 5 noted that the YouTube and Facebook versions “were substantially different from what actually took place and was aired on the TV program.”
“The segment where Jan-Jan appeared spanned a period of 48 minutes in the actual show, the YouTube and Facebook versions lasted for only around ten minutes or less,” the statement read.
Jan-Jan’s dance number, the network stressed “was not lewd or obscene.”
"The Complaint speaks of gyrating movements which, however, are not obscene per se nor suggestive of a sexual or immoral act. Indeed such movements are part of a dance form called 'body wave.' The 'body wave' is no different from the familiar dance moves we have been accustomed to today, such as the 'lambada,' 'belly dancing' and the 'spaghetti' dance."
"As far as the minor is concerned, he is exhibiting a dance movement. In fact, body wave dancing has become part and parcel of Philippine pop culture. In many town fiestas and private gatherings, adults allow their children to dance in this manner,” read the statement.
In a related development, Procter & Gamble (P&G), a multinational company has followed Mang Inasal’s suit as it suspended its advertising on Willie Revillame’s primetime game show.
P&G Consumer Relations Manager Sol Liboro issued a statement confirming suspension of their TV ads for “Willing Willie.”
"We would like to inform you that we have suspended advertising on the show beginning April 7, 2011, while the incident is being reviewed and investigated by authorities," Liboro said in an official statement as reported by GMA News Online.
Meanwhile, Atty. Leonard de Vera, Revillame’s lawyer, questioned the MTRCB people investigating the case of “Willing Willie” which he believes are biased on the case.
“Atty. Villareal, his wife is employed by ABS-CBN, Leah Navarro, who on internet already prejudged this case. She said that Willie did wrong. Atty. Mallonga, he’s the head of Bantay Bata which is funded by ABS-CBN,” Atty. De Vera said on “TV Patrol,” April 7.
Grace Poe-Llamanzares, head of the MTRCB defended the board committee members investigating the case.
“Hindi naman yata tama na inaakusahan nila na meron ng panlalamang na nangyayari. Unang-una, March 8 po nagkaroon kami ng board meeting na permanent chairman ng adjudication committee si Eugenio Villareal. Si Atty. Mallonga naman ay permanent chairman ng committee on child protection. Ba’t naman ako maglalagay ng abogado na walang kinalaman sa mga bata?
“Everybody has a comment. Gaya nga ng sinabi ni Leah, we will be hard pressed to find somebody who has no personal opion on the matter,” Llamanzares explained.
Atty. Eugenio Villareal, Chairperson of the Adjudication committee, also explained his side.
“Hindi naman ho natin kasalanan na years before eh meron tayong maybahay na connected sa ABS-CBN. Wala pa pong kasong ito, ako na po ang chairperson ng Adjudication committee. In fact in my line of work mas marami pa akong nakakahalubilo na may connection po sa TV 5,” he said.
source: manila bulletin
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