Willing Willie host, Willie Revillame and TV5 officials sued by 6 rights advocates

Willing Willie controversy continues: Willing Willie host, Willie Revillame and TV5 sued by 6 rights advocates

Willing Willie host, Willie Revillame Photo courtesy of TV5

Six (6) members of the group called Stop Child Rights Exploitation in Media have filed a lawsuit against Willing Willie host Willie Revillame and TV 5 officials for violating several laws such as Republic Act (RA) 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Axploitation, and Discrimination Act; RA 9775 or the Act Defining the Crime of Child Pornography; and RA 9231 or An Act Eliminating the Worst Forms of Child Labor.

This is in connection with the controversial March 12 episode of Willing Willie where 6-year old JanJan Suan who was crying while he was performing a macho dancing act on the show.

Willie Revillame, TV5 chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, and some officials of the broadcast company were named as respondents in the child abuse complaint.

TV 5 has not received a copy of the complaint and thus, they decline to give a comment on the case at the moment.

Shalani Soledad wishes Willie Revillame's comeback on 'Willing Willie'

Politician and TV host Shalani Soledad is to celebrate her 31st birthday on April 24. She recently shared to the media that her birthday wish for this year includes her co-host Willie Revillame to continue helping the poor and make a comeback on their show, "Willing Willie".

Willie Revillame and Shalani Soledad on the cover of Willie's album, "I Love You" | Photo courtesy of Google Images

After several advertisers pulled out from the show due to the alleged child abuse on its March 12 episode, Willie Revillame announced last Friday that the show will be off-air for 2 weeks while he would be thinking about whether to return to the show.

Shalani Soledad has been supportive of Willie since the Jan-Jan incident started. She was recently seen among those who staged their protest in front of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) office as the board held a meeting related to the controversial incident.

Now that her show is on a 2-week break, PNoy's former girlfriend Shalani will be focusing on the needs of her constituents in Valenzuela City where she was elected as councilor.

Meanwhile, do you think Willie should make a comeback on the show? Take our poll HERE.

Jan-Jan Incident in 'Willing Willie' highlights sexual exploitation of Asian children - The Australian

Late last month, the child abuse issue on the Jan-Jan Incident in "Willing Willie", was picked up by several international news websites after it was bombarded with a series of complaints from various government agencies and private individuals in the country. The sites merely reported the issue objectively, only presenting the points and contents of the complaints.

A recent article of an Australian news website, however, dwelt deeper on the issue. Check out The Australian's Emma-Kate Symons' April 10, 2011 write-up about the Jan-Jan incident below:

Game show disgrace highlights sexual exploitation of Asian children

IT is a story about show business and the lust for fame, the struggle between permissiveness and social conservatism, and child exploitation: it is a very Philippines sort of scandal.

Willie Revillame, the country's highest-paid TV identity, is under investigation for child abuse after he goaded a bawling six-year-old boy to gyrate like a male stripper before a guffawing live audience and millions of viewers.

In the March episode of Revillame's show, Jan-Jan Suan, tears streaming down his face, agreed to simulate a pelvic thrusting "macho dancer" - male stripper in The Philippines - in exchange for 10,000 pesos ($220) for his poor family.

Footage of Jan-Jan's televised humiliation quickly went viral.

Government ministers and religious leaders rushed to denounce the star. The Movie and Television Review Classification Board and Human Rights Commission announced investigations into allegations of child abuse.

At first glance, images of the skinny lad dancing nervously to a tune from rapper Snoop Dogg seem relatively innocuous.

But a closer look tells a more disturbing story. As Jan-Jan cries in distress while grimly bumping and grinding, the studio audience, including his family, is in fits of laughter, egged on by the host.

Merciless, Revillame pushes the six-year-old to keep dancing for money, mocking his performance as comparable to Burlesk Queen, the 1970s Philippines cult movie starring actress Vilma Santos (now a politician) as a bikini-clad cabaret performer whose sexy dance routine so traumatises her she has a miscarriage on stage.

"That's how hard life is. Jan-Jan has to learn macho dancing at his age, for the sake of his family," Revillame says with a laugh.

The besieged host launched a diatribe against his celebrity critics on Friday as he announced a two-week suspension of the top-rating program Willing Willie. "Don't pulverise me. I'm not a bad person. I only want to help the poor," Revillame pleaded in a histrionic 25-minute "farewell" speech, beseeching viewers to "pray for this program to be back on air".

He charged some of The Philippines' top singers and actors with leading a Twitter and Facebook campaign to push advertisers to pull commercials from Willing Willie.

The network has appointed an internal ombudsman to monitor treatment of minors.

Still, the star of Willing Willie is tipped to return to the TV screen.

The forces that put Jan-Jan in the spotlight have elements peculiar to The Philippines, but Manila is not an isolated case.

Across Southeast Asia, in TV game shows, reality programs and talent contests, product launches, advertisements and mainstream films, children and minors under the malleable Asian age of consent are increasingly depicted in a highly sexualised and erotic fashion.

Thai commercial TV broadcasts popular "mini-Thai idol"-style contests showcasing heavily made-up children as young as three in sexy get-up, dancing and singing provocatively.

Similar fare is increasingly dished up to audiences in Indonesia and in poorer Cambodia. Often it's cutesy but more often blatantly pedophile-friendly. In Thailand, where made-up toddler girls sport pink T-shirts saying "I'm Single", the press occasionally reports on controversies surrounding beauty contests for children from the age of three.

The treatment of Southeast Asian children as commodities extends from the mainstream media to bars and brothels.

Experts agree that a pernicious popular and private culture of impunity regarding sexual abuse and trafficking of children still exists in the region and is worsening. According to law enforcement agencies and academic specialists, trafficking and prostitution of young children is on the rise. Thailand today is functioning more as a trafficking hub for child prostitutes and "illegal immigrants" from neighbouring poor countries such as Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

A new study backed by the French Research Institute on Contemporary Southeast Asia, "The Trade in Human Beings for Sex in Southeast Asia", edited by Pierre Le Roux, says sex trafficking of women and children, "already widespread internationally, continues to escalate". "Thailand is an emerging epicentre of both sex trafficking and sex tourism", the study says, noting that the first sex tourists are local and regional, followed by the smaller but persistent group of foreigners from outside Asia.

Some figures suggest as many as 250,000 women and children are trafficked annually in Southeast Asia.

Estimates of the number of child prostitutes in Thailand range from fewer than 2000 to the high hundreds of thousands. The Philippines is believed to have more than 100,000 child prostitutes.

Le Roux points to cultural factors, such as Southeast Asian concepts of "sacrifice" and the "younger sibling", as facilitating the prostitution of children and women.

Locals and foreigners often mistakenly think that with economic and social development, the scourge of pedophilia and widespread child prostitution is at least diminishing in Southeast Asia, from the heights of the 1980s and 1990s.

Australians recall pedophiles such as Robert Dunn who were tracked down by journalists and sometimes police. Cambodia has trumpeted the arrests of high-profile foreigners such as Gary Glitter, while local child abusers, the UN and NGOs attest, go unpunished.

Countering the public-relations spin, the US State Department last year placed Thailand, to Bangkok's fury, on the high alert "Tier Two watch list" for only making "limited progress" on combating and prosecuting human trafficking, including child prostitution. The Philippines also shared this ignominious status (second year running), alongside new entrants Vietnam and Laos. Wealthy Singapore appeared on the same US watch list. South Asia is not exempt, with India tagged as a top source, destination and transit country for traffickers.

Gender expert Carina Chotirawe, a professor at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, believes more work needs to be done in the region "to shift the consciousness of the parents and society as a whole on the protection of children".

"Depicting them in a sexualised manner is a form of child abuse and it is very worrying to see children appearing in such lewd ways," she says.

"The Revillame show was despicable. It felt like he was prostituting poverty, making the poor pander to him for quick cash fixes, as he does on a daily basis, and never mind if it entails a kid being sexed up and crying as he (Jan-Jan) does so pitifully.

"Willie was acting like God, dispensing patronage to parents inured to the poverty they see as their lot in life -- and if lewdness gets them instant cash, then so be it."

For Chotirawe, a deep-seated "cultural wiring" takes place in Southeast Asia where "kids are conditioned to believe that being sexy and looking grown up will get you far more".

"It devalues education, toil and perseverance," she says.

"In Thailand, you also see this even at kindergarten performances, with girls dressed up, made up and dancing to songs with provocative lyrics.

"It is no wonder that there is a link to child prostitution. Or in milder cases, if they are more well off and are fortunate to escape that predicament, they are lured to become 'Pretties' like the ones you see (parading) at motor shows."

Australian child protection activist Bernadette McMenamin, founder of Child Wise, agrees that the erotic depiction of children in Southeast Asia is bad news for the battle against sex tourism.

"The sexualisation of children is something that is happening worldwide without society really coming to grips with it," she says.

Meanwhile, do you think "Willing Willie" should resume airing on TV5? Take our poll HERE.

'Willing Willie', to return or not to return? Take the poll!

With the recent turn out of events, Willie Revillame has announced that his show "Willing Willie" will be off air for two weeks or until he makes up his mind of continuing the show without the sponsors.


What do you think, guys? Should "Willing Willie" go on air once again? Or is it better for TV5 not to have the show anymore?

Poll: ''Willing Willie", to return or not to return? Cast your votes!

Background

The controversial March 12 episode of "Willing Willie" where a 6-year old boy named JanJan Suan did a macho dancing act as his talent in a segment of the show, has been found to constitute child abuse by some government agencies.

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board is currently investigating on the matter. Meanwhile, the show's sponsors have pulled out their ads on the show.

Willie Revillame fired back by Lea Salonga, Jim Paredes, Bianca Gonzales, etc.

When Willie Revillame said his piece on the March 12 Willing Willie episode controversy last night (April 8, 2011), he made mention of the celebrities who attacked the said episode on Twitter and threatened them of a legal suit.

These were the things Willie Revillame said (transcription courtesy of Mykiru):

"Maraming mga artistang nakisawsaw. Mag-isip muna kayo bago kayo makisawsaw. Ang sakit nyo. Yan si Jim Paredes ng Apo, tinira ko sa Twitter, si Aiza Seguerra, tinira ko sa Twitter, si Agot Isidro, Lea Salonga, Mylene Dizon, sasabihin ko na lahat, sino pa, Bianca Gonzales ng SNN, susuportahan nyo ba ang mga taong yan? (Audience shouted NO!)

"Anong nagawa nyo? Anong nagawa nyo sa sambayanang Pilipino? (audience said "Wala")

"Sino pa? Si Tuesday (Vargas) na kasama ko dito tinira rin ako. Di ko maintindihan na tagarito ka, tinira mo ko. K Brosas. Sino pa? Leah Navarro okay. Sino pa?

"Kapwa tayo artista, nakagawa ba kayo ng tulong? Nagbigay ba kayo sa Bantay Bata ng isang milyon? Nagbigay ba kayo? Hindi.

"Wag kayo maghuhusga ng kapwa nyo artista. Dapat magkasama tayo dun. Tulungan nyo kami pag nagkakamali kami, wag kayong maghuhusga. Tandaan nyo, ung masang Pilipino ang sumusuporta sa inyo.

"Yan pong mga pangalan na yan, winasak ang pagkatao ko sa Twitter. Yan pong mga taong yan. Jim Paredes ng Apo, Lea Salonga...

"Aiza Seguerra, magpakalalake ka! Tandaan mo yan. Bata ka pa, di ba, nagtatrabaho ka na, di ba exploitation yan. Mag-isip ka. Tingnan nyo muna sarili nyo bago kayo magsalita.

"Agot Isidro, wala ka namang anak eh bat mo ko gaganyanin, alamin mo muna.

"Sino pa? Bianca Gonzales, akala mo kung mga sino kayo!"

"May natulungan ba kayong mga mahihirap?

"Kaya ko lang ho sinasabi to, nagtitimpi ako, ayaw ko tong sabihin, ayokong banggitin ang pangalan nila, pero sa Twitter ho un ang ginagawa nila, ang wasakin ako.

Through their Twitter accounts, the showbiz personalities mentioned immediately fired back Willie Revillame's statement after the show. These were the posts they made:

Jim Paredes:

“How can a laos, old, over the hill guy like me destroy a sikat, powerful, rich Superstar like Willie? He did it all by himself.”

“Good nyt people. Let the turmoil of the world be overcome by peaceful darkness.”

Aiza Seguerra :

“Sa mga sumusuporta, salamat po.”

K Brosas:
“Anyareeeee??!! Daming tweets nabasa ko about willing willie?! Galit sa akin at sa iba pang mga artista?! Sensya di ko napanood.”

“Ako ay nagbigay ng OPINION ko…wala akong siniraan at binanggit na name….pwedeng basahin uli mga tweets ko, never ako nagbura! Peace! :) ”

“Ang daming problema sa mundo, mga trahedya, gera etc…dun ako affected…demanda dahil sa opinion?? Wait na lng natin kung mangyayari yon:)”

Tuesday Vargas:
“pack up! now ko lang nabasa lahat ng tweets. In light of this uproar, I will remain tolerant and silent.”

Agot Isidro:
“Thank you for the outpouring of support. I am A-ok! Don’t worry about me. Dun lang tayo sa tama.”

Bianca Gonzales:
“i learned a lot on twitter tonight! difference between an informed and uninformed opinion. :) ”

“i really believe that what a person says or writes is a reflection of the kind of person he or she is. :) ”

Mylene Dizon:
“I will not be bullied. I will not threatened. Sticks and stones may break my bones but your words will never hurt me.”

Lea Salonga:
“Just got bombarded by a slew of tweets. To those who tweeted kind words of support, thanks. Much appreciated. And last I checked…”

“… it’s actually a right of every person in this country to express an opinion, good or bad. We live in a democracy, and I’m grateful.”

“And that is all I’m going to say. Nothing incendiary will be coming from me. No need for it.”

“There are insults being hurled in our direction, but eh. That’s life.”

“He’s entitled to express himself however he sees fit. As I said, democracy."

Willie Revillame also announced that his show "Willing Willie" will be off for two weeks until he makes up his mind of getting back to the show.

Aga Muhlach receives a car from Willie Revillame

Actor Aga Muhlach confirms receiving a generous gift from his friend, controversial host Willie Revillame. And it's car!

Aga Muhlach and Willie Revillame | Photo courtesy of Google Images

In a Pep.ph interview, Aga said.

"Saka yung pagreregalo niya naman, dapat lang 'yon, 'no! Ano ba naman 'yon?"

When asked on how many cars did Willie gave to him? He replied,

"Aba, kung kaya ba niya akong bigyan isa araw-araw, bakit hindi? Tatanggapin ko 'yon!" sakay naman ng aktor.

The actor clarified that he personally asked the gift from his friend.

"No, no, no... Nagsimula naman 'yon, naglambing ako sa kanya. Parang, 'Hoy, namimigay ka kung saan-saan, halika, mamigay ka sa akin!' Ganun lang 'yon, but that's nothing naman. Kotse lang," he said.

"Kami ni Willie, matagal na ang pinagsamahan namin," Aga added.

Aga did not anymore reveal the brand and type of car he received from Willie saying,

"Huwag na, ayos na 'yon. Lambingan lang namin 'yon. Noon pa, noon pa kami gano'n. Wala pang trabaho si Willie no'n, lahat ng kotse ko ginagamit naman niya!

"Ganun naman kami no'n. Sa amin, that's nothing. Sabi ko, 'Hoy, padalhan mo ako ng kotse ngayon!' ganyan-ganyan," the actor added.

Aga Muhlach recently signed a 3-year non-exclusive contract with the Kapatid network, TV5. This is after staying for 18 years as a Kapamilya.

Willing Willie March 12 episode slammed by CHR for child abuse

Willing Willie's March 12 episode was lambasted by another government entity yet again. Following the condemnation of the Department of Social Welfare and Development a few days ago, the Commission on Human Rights has recently pointed out how the TV5 show constituted child abuse.

Willing Willie March 12 Episode | Photo courtesy of Google Images

In a statement released on March 29, the Commission said it strongly condemns the episode since it exploited the "child’s innocence and demeans his inherent dignity for entertainment's sake."

It added that "the multiple pressures exerted on Jan-Jan by the TV program’s host, audience, and his parents to perform a humiliating act in exchange for ten thousand pesos constitute child abuse as defined in Section 10 of R.A. No. 7610 or “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.”

The March 12 episode of Willing Willie had 6 year-old JanJan Suan as a contestant where the boy did a macho dancing routine as his talent. A copy of the episode was uploaded on Youtube where it was flooded with criticisms from concerned parents. (Check out the video HERE.) The video also went viral in social media sites and as of today, it already gained more than half a million hits.

Here's a copy of the CHR press release posted on Facebook by journalist Ellen Tordesillas:

Commission on Human Rights
For Release
29 March 2011



CHR on Child Abuse in the TV program Willing Willie

The Commission on Human Rights strongly condemns the “Willing Willie” episode aired on March 12, 2011 wherein a 6-year old boy named Jan-Jan Suan performed a “macho-dancing routine”. This is an exploitation of the child’s innocence and demeans his inherent dignity for entertainment's sake.

The multiple pressures exerted on Jan-Jan by the TV program’s host, audience, and his parents to perform a humiliating act in exchange for ten thousand pesos constitute child abuse as defined in Section 10 of R.A. No. 7610 or “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act.” It provides that:

Other Acts of Neglect, Abuse, Cruelty or Exploitation and Other Conditions Prejudicial to the Child's Development. –

(a) Any person who shall commit any other acts of child abuse, cruelty or exploitation or to be responsible for other conditions prejudicial to the child's development including those covered by Article 59 of Presidential Decree No. 603, as amended, but not covered by the Revised Penal Code, as amended, shall suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period.

The willingness of Jan-Jan’s parents to expose him, both in private and public, to a humiliating and degrading situation is child abuse. The Commission is also deeply alarmed that the abuse suffered by Jan-Jan was seen on national television and that its videos are being repeatedly watched by the public, including children.

The Commission will investigate this incident in order to identify the person/s liable and to recommend proper legal actions against them. The Commission will also issue recommendations to relevant private, especially TV5, and public agencies in order to prevent similar incidents from happening again. The Commission also calls upon the relevant government offices such as the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Department of Justice to undertake the appropriate actions to address this incidence of child abuse and to provide the necessary relief to Jan-Jan.


LORETTA ANN P. ROSALES
Chairperson



MA. VICTORIA V. CARDONA
Commissioner
Focal Commissioner for Children