'Willing Willie' suspended 1 month by MTRCB, can go back by May 11

'Willing Willie', which is hosted by Willie Revillame and is currently off-air since April 11, has been suspended for 30 days or 1 month by the Movies and Television Review and Classification Board or the MTRCB in connection with the "Jan-Jan Incident" on Willing Willie's episode shown March 12.

Here's MTRCB's official statement on Willing Willie's suspension:

"Sinuspinde isang (1) buwan ng Hearing and Adjudication Committee (“Committee”) ng Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (“MTRCB”) ang programang ‘Willing Willie” bilang parusa sa paglabag nito sa Section 3(c) of P.D. 1986, ngunit hinayaang ibawas ang panahong naka-voluntary suspension ang programa, bilang hakbang ng self-regulation ng TV5.

Dagdag pa dito, pinatawan din ng Probation ang programa, o inilagay ang programa sa status na per-episode permit, hanggang makumbinse and MTRCB na tunay at seryoso ang pagpapatupad ng self-regulation measures na ipinangako ng TV5 at WilProductions.

Sa pagpapataw ng kaparusahan ito, binigyang-pansin ng MTRCB ang mga sumusunod na mga hakbang na tinaguriang “measures of self-regulation and perpetual improvement” ng TV5:

a. Voluntary suspension ng “Willing Willie” mula pa noong 11 Abril 2011 hanggang sa kasalukuyan.

b. Paglalagay ng mahigpit na Alituntuning gumagabay sa partisipasyon ng mga bata sa mga shows at events.

c. Pagtatalaga ng isang Internal Child Ombudsman na mangangasiwa at mangangalaga sa karapatan ng mga bata sa mga auditions, at titiyak na sumusunod sa mga itinakda ng batas para sa broadcasting..

d. Pag-utos ng Moratorium sa mga batang contestants, habang hindi pa napatitibay ang mga safeguards.

e. Pagpapatibay sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at iba pang ahensiya ng gobyerno upang matiyak ang pangangalaga sa mga karapatan ng mga bata.

f. Pagbubuo ng “Rules of Ethics” para sa mga talents, production staff at crew, at iba pang manggagawa sa production.

g. Pagbubuo ng Standards Compliance Group, na binubuo ng (i) the Standards Advisory Board, at ng (ii) Compliance Unit.

h. Pakikipagtulungan sa Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) at sa Philippine Association of National Advertisers (PANA) at iba pang stakeholders upang makapagtalaga ng makabuluhang alituntunin gagabay sa broadcast industry sa mga sitwasyon na may partisipasyon ang batasa mga talent, game at reality shows.

i. Pagtatalaga ng “Guidelines on the Treatment of Children as Viewers, Subjects, Talents or Participants,” sa pakikipagtulungan sa Philippine Children’s Television Foundation.

Bagamat kinikilala ng MTRCB na kapakipaki-pakinabang ang lahat ng ito, at maaaring gawing mabuting halibawa ng kung ano ang dapat tularan ng ibang networks, upang matiyak na maibibigay ang special protection for children, nanawagan ang MTRCB sa TV5 at sa lahat ng networks, na dalhin sa higit na mataas na antas, ang mga pangako ng pagbabago, na pinagyayaman ng patuloy na introspeksiyong-kolektibo ng buong industriya ng telebisyon.

Sa Desisyon, nagpaalala ang MTRCB: “Celebrities and TV personalities should exercise the highest degree of care and diligence, as they are the most seen, and their reach and influence is far greater than any other individual. It is the responsibility of the network and their talents to educate themselves regarding: gender sensitivity, children and women’s rights issues; the rights of indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and other marginalized sectors of the society. Let this Decision stand as a reminder to all networks, producers, directors, public figures, celebrities and hosts that: We are all advocates. And as advocates, 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.”

As stated in the decision, MTRCB recognizes TV5's self-regulation by suspending Willing Willie starting April 11, and that could mean, Willing Willie may go back on air by May 11, but in a probationary status.

“Every day, the show will have to apply for a permit so that the board can check whether the changes have been instituted,” MTRCB legal counsel Jonathan Presquito said in an Inquirer.net interview.

Were you happy with MTRCB's decision?

Jan-Jan Incident Update: MTRCB releases new statement

The "Jan-Jan Incident" on Willing Willie last March 12, 2011 will take a lot of time to be resolved as far as the MTRCB is concerned.

According to its new statement released Thursday (April 14) for the hearing held last Tuesday (April 12), the Willie Revillame-owned Wil Productions will now be able to take part in upcoming proceedings as the MTRCB's Adjudication Committee has granted Wil Productions' Motion for Intervention.

Wil Productions is asked to submit a Position Paper on April 19 and a "Reply" by April 29.

The statement says that the Adjudication Committee will make a final decision on the case no later than May 29.

Here's the statement:

CASE UPDATEOn 12 April 2011, the Adjudication Committee granted the Motion for Intervention of Wil Productions. Wil Productions will now be able to participate in the proceedings.

To expedite the disposition of the case, and to afford all the parties the opportunity to fully present their arguments and evidence, the Adjudication Committee decided to dispense with the oral presentation of the evidence, and instead required them to simultaneously submit their written pleadings, and to attach all of the pieces of evidence to support their respective positions. The mutually agreed-upon dates of submission are as follows:

1. Position Paper on April 19, 2011; and
2. Reply on April 29, 2011.

After the submission of their respective Reply is, the Adjudication Committee will determine if a Clarificatory Hearing is necessary. If there is a need for one, then the case will be set for a Final Clarificatory Hearing. Otherwise, the Committee will just require the submission of a Final Memorandum from all of the parties.

Upon the submission of the Final Memorandum, the case shall be deemed submitted for resolution. The Adjudication Committee shall have thirty (30) days, from such submission, to render a Decision on the case.

While the Board is aware of the viewing public’s concern for a speedy resolution of the case, it is also bound to observe the process so that fair opportunity is given to all to be heard. Nevertheless, the Board will not tolerate any unnecessary delays.

Do you think MTRCB is taking too long to investigate on "Jan-Jan" case?

Willing Willie is set to return on April 25 after a 2-week self-imposed suspension.

WIlling Willie Case: MTRCB gives in to Willie Revillame's lawyer's demand

MTRCB was supposed to issue its final verdict yesterday, April 7, 2011, on the child abuse complaint against the TV5 show 'Willing Willie' but it didn't happen.

It's because Willie Revillame's lawyer Atty. Leonard De Vera raised an issue during the hearing conference yesterday that some MTRCB Board members are biased against Willie's show.

As reported on ABS-CBN's TV Patrol last night, De Vera pinpointed Atty. Eugenio Villareal whose wife is an ABS-CBN employee, Leah Navarro who on Twitter allegedly said that Willie did wrong and Atty. Eric Mallonga who heads ABS-CBN's Bantay Bata Foundation.

He said that he will file a motion asking the three abovementioned MTRCB members to inhibit on Willing Willie case.

Last night, a fourth briefer on Willing Willie case was posted on MTRCB's official website and it said that the Board is empowered to issue a twenty (20)- day preventive suspension order against the television program “Willing Willie” of ABC TV5.

But it was later removed and MTRCB Chairperson Mary Grace Poe Llamanzares instead issued a new statement stating that she regretfully accepts the voluntary inhibition of the Members of the Hearing and Adjudication Committee in question to dispel any doubt as to their impartiality.

A new Hearing and Adjudication Committe will be constitued but the next hearing date is not mentioned in the statement.

Read MTRCB's latest statement on Willing Willie's child abuse case:

In today’s hearing of the case against “Willing Willie” about the child abuse incident in its 12 March 2011 episode, counsel for respondent Associated Broadcasting Company (ABC TV5) raised the issue of alleged impartiality of the members of the Board’s Hearing and Adjudication Committee.

Even as I affirm the integrity of the Members of the Hearing and Adjudication Committee, I regretfully accept their voluntary inhibition in order to dispel any doubt as to their impartiality. Effective immediately, a new Hearing and Adjudication Committee is hereby constituted to determine the guilt or innocence of the respondents in this “Willing Willie” case.

The change in the composition of the Committee is to assure the public that the Board will only be guided by established facts and the law in the disposition of this case. This is also to avoid any attempt to further delay the expeditious resolution of the case.

(Sgd)MARY GRACE POE LLAMANZARES
Chairperson