Analyzing the MTRCB suspension of ‘Willing Willie’

First, the good news about the MTRCB order suspending "Willing Willie" for 30 days. The punitive action will hit TV5 and Willie Revillame where it hurts the most because every day that the show is off the air, the Kapatid network loses millions of pesos in ad revenues and Willie doesn't get paid a single centavo.

At the same time, the show has been placed on probation or a per episode permit basis. If this is strictly followed, "Willing Willie" which was aired live, will now be taped before it is approved for airing. The probationary status will be in force "until the Board is convinced that the self-regulatory measures committed by the Respondents have actually been undertaken and implemented."

The bad news is that the MTRCB cannot banish Willie from the boob tube because it does not have jurisdiction over TV personalities. The only body which can discipline him is TV 5 which is not likely to fire someone who generates lots of commercials for the network. So whether the audience likes it or not, Willie will most probably be back on the air come May 9. What's ironic is that it's not the show itself that many critics find offensive. It was the way Willie handled the dancing child.

After reading the complete text of the decision on the MTRCB website, I have the following observations:

1."The show "Wiling(sic) Willie is a first time offender." That's true but Revillame certainly isn't a first-time offender. His shows on ABS-CBN have been suspended by MTRCB several times. The Kapamilya Network also suspended him more than once. Shouldn't his previous record be considered in arriving at a decision?

2. "The Prosecution commends the respondents in immediately coming out with public apologies and admission that there were lapses in their implementation and supervision of their audition process." The objectionable dance took place on March 12. The apology came out on March 28 or more than two weeks after the show. Willie also apologized on- air, well, sort of, because he didn't sound repentant at all. A real apology is when you admit you are wrong and vow not to commit the same offense again. Days after the apology, lawyer Leonard de Vera said the boy's number was a popular dance called "body wave" and was not sexually suggestive." So why issue an apology?

Lapses? The problem was not in the audition process but in the host ignoring the child's tears and prodding him to continue dancing on an elevated platform just like a macho dancer.

The prosecutor, Atty. Jonathan Presquito, the Board's legal counsel, gave a long discourse on the subject of self-regulation, which contained most of TV5's arguments, and said he did not "interpose any objection" to the respondents' motion to credit the two-week voluntary suspension and recommended that the show be placed on a per-broadcast permit basis. The Committee, composed of board members Noel del Prado, Milo Sogueco and Ma. Carmen Musngi, agreed with him but opted for a 30-day suspension..

3. "For violation of Section 3c of PD 1986, the penalty of suspension for one month is hereby imposed on the program 'Willing Willie.'" The Board did not cite specific reasons for the suspension order, only a general statement referring to Section 3c of PD 1986 which states in part that a program can be disapproved for being "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.." So was the show immoral, indecent? I expected a more detailed explanation.

Several blogs ago, I said it was time for Willie to leave television. I'm afraid that's not going to happen real soon unless...major advertisers who pulled out from the show do not make a comeback. Didn't they withdraw their support because of Willie's behavior? Do they honestly believe that this arrogant host will ever change his ways? I doubt it very much. So, Unilever, Procter and Gamble, Del Monte, Jollibee, Lhuillier, CDO, the ball is in your court.