Below is a compilation of statements and documents related to the child abuse incident on the March 12, 2011 episode of the show Willing Willie by Mr. Willie Revillame on TV5.
In the said episode, also posted on
YouTube (now deleted) , a six-year-old boy named Mike (not his real name) was shown dancing “ala-macho dancer," much to the delight of the host and the studio audience. As seen in the video, however, the boy was clearly distressed and humiliated by the said experience as evidenced by his crying while supposedly “entertaining” Mr. Revillame and his audience.
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Our complaint letterThe signatoriesTimeline of EventsFroilan's Clarification on ABS-CBN's participationThe Show
Original SponsorsAdvertisers and ContactsTranscript of Willie Revillame's Speech on Willing Willie, April 8Statements and RepliesDepartment of Social Welfare and DevelopmentMovies and Television review and Classification BoardApology of TV5 and Mr. RevillamePhilippine Association of National AdvertisersCommision on Human RightsCouncil for the Welfare of ChildrenUNICEFFull statement of TV5 on the measures it is undertakingPia CayetanoAteneo Human Rights CenterSt. Scholastica's MassCom DeptUP College of MassComrWorld VisionCBCP - NASSAAdvertisers' Action and StatementsUnilever Ad Pull out on all live game showsJollibee Food CorporationProcter and GambleCDO Food CorporationsCebuana LhuillerOthersHouse Resolution Condemning Child Abuse on Willing Willie
Hon. Loretta Ann P. Rosales, Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights
Sen. Pia S. Cayetano, Committee Chair, Youth, Women and Family Affairs
Hon. Corazon "Dinky" Juliano-Soliman, Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development
Hon. Grace Poe Llamanzares, Chairman, Movies and Television Ratings and Classification Board
Mr. Manny Pangilinan, Chairman, TV5
Justice Santiago M. Kapunan, Officer in Charge, Integrated Bar of The Philippines
Mr. John Rojo, President, Philippine Association of National Advertisers
Ms. Charmaine Canillas, Chairman, Ad Standards Council
Ateneo Human Rights Center
Council for the Welfare of Children
SUBJECT: CHILD ABUSE ON WILLING WILLIE SHOW OF TV5
We wish to bring to your attention a deplorable incident that occurred during the March 12, 2011 episode of Willing Willie, hosted by Mr. Willie Revillame which was aired during TV5's primetime block. In the said episode, also posted on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YRCxh9q64w, a six-year-old boy named Jan-jan was shown dancing “ala-macho dancer," much to the delight of the host and the studio audience. As seen in the video, however, the boy was clearly distressed and humiliated by the said experience as evidenced by his crying while supposedly “entertaining” Mr. Revillame and his audience.
Children should be at school studying or playing at home. They should not be used as cheap sources of entertainment. The act of making children work is already unfortunate; however, the said act is even more deplorablewhen they lose their dignity and self respect in the process.
If TV shows that employ child actors are required to secure the necessary permits from the DSWD, are reality shows like Willing Willie required to do the same? Are representatives from the DSWD present to monitor these activities, especially for shows that air live?
We quote Article V, Section 9 of Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act:
“Obscene Publications and Indecent Shows. – Any person who shall hire, employ, use, persuade, induce or coerce a child to perform in obscene exhibitions and indecent shows, whether live or in video, or model in obscene publications or pornographic materials or to sell or distribute the said materials shall suffer the penalty of prison mayor in its medium period.
If the child used as a performer, subject or seller/distributor is below twelve (12) years of age, the penalty shall be imposed in its maximum period.
Any ascendant, guardian, or person entrusted in any capacity with the care of a child who shall cause and/or allow such child to be employed or to participate in an obscene play, scene, act, movie or show or in any other acts covered by this section shall suffer the penalty of prison mayor in its medium period.”
Clearly, what transpired during this episode of Willing Willie was a violation of this provision of the law.
We condemn the blatant act of subjecting poor Filipinos -- especially minors, a group that history has shown to be one of the most vulnerable sectors of our society -- to humiliation in shows like these in exchange for some quick cash. Given the financial hardships that they have to endure, they often feel forced to do acts that violate their dignity as human beings in exchange for keeping body and soul together.
We condemn the host, not only for failing to stop the boy, who was clearly uncomfortable with what he had to do, but more importantly for milking similar situations for the sake of selling the show and increasing its ratings.
We condemn the producers of the show and the management of TV5 not only for failing to act appropriately on this incident, but also for tolerating these kinds of shows, as well as the host's tasteless and humiliating antics.
We express disappointment towards the parents of the boy for subjecting their child to this horrible experience.
We express concern for the studio audience and others at home who found this incident amusing and entertaining.
We express disappointment towards all the advertisers of the show for failing to consider the content and the values of the shows in which they advertise.
We challenge our government agencies, particularly the DSWD and the MTRCB, to act promptly on this and other similar incidents, and to institute measures to protect young children when they appear on Willing Willie and similar shows.
In this regard, we would like to request the following actions from your office:
For Mr. Manny Pangilinan and the management of TV5 to immediately implement a temporary moratorium on the guesting of children on Willing Willie and similar shows;
For Mr. Willie Revillame and the producers of the show to issue a public apology to Jan-jan and all their other guests whom they have humiliated in the past, and to promise never to commit the same acts in their future episodes;
For the MTRCB to conduct an investigation and review of the said episode to determine the violations made by the host and the producers of the show of the standards and regulations set by law and the Board, and impose corresponding penalties on those found guilty;
For the DSWD and the CHR to conduct an investigation into the said incident to determine the violations of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act and Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, committed by the host, the producers and the management of TV5, and initiate legal action against those who will be found responsible;
For the DSWD and the MTRCB, in partnership with the TV networks in the country, to formulate regulations that will cover the appearance of children on game shows and other reality-TV themed shows, especially those that are aired live;
For the Committee on Youth, Women and Family Affairs of the Senate to conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, to institute amendments to Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act and Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 to protect children from similar violations;
For the DSWD to provide counselling to Janjan and to all other children who participated on the show in the past for possible trauma and other physiological distress, as well as to their parents who consider subjecting their children to such experience as acceptable;
For the Integrated Bar of the Philippines to provide legal support to the victims of these abuses who may want to pursue legal action against those who will be found responsible by the relevant government agencies; and
For the Philippine Association of National Advertisers and AdBoard to forward this complaint to all their members, especially those who advertise on Willing Willie, and to request their members to temporarily cease placing ads on the show until the host, the producer and the management have complied with this request and instituted reforms to avoid a repeat of this incident in the future. Otherwise, we will be constrained to start a call to boycott the products of those who will refuse to heed this request.
We are expecting a prompt reply and action on your part. We will be continuously monitoring this issue and will continue to gather support from the general public through a Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Para-kay-Jan-jan-Shame-on-you-Willie-Revillame/102087546543288) we have started, as well as the mainstream media.
Signed:
Back to TopOriginal Sponsors of Willing WillieP&G's Head & Shoulders,
UFC Cook & Dip Catsup,
Oishi Cookies,
Smart C Drinks,
Jollibee's Mang Inasal,
Unilever's Rexona,
Pepsodent,
Vaseline,
Surf Liwuid Detergent,
Glutamax Face Cream,
Pau Liniment,
Yakult,
CDO Funtastyk Young Pork Tocino,
Technomarine,
Will Tower Mall,
Daily Spell fragrance,
Wil Cologne,
Protec-Cee,
Foton Automobile,
Manny Villar's Camella Homes,
Cebuana Lhuiller
Back to TopTHOSE WHO PULLED OUT THEIR ADS:
Mang Inasal (Jollibee Food Corporation)
http://www.facebook.com/MangInasalPhilippines
Fit n' Right (Del Monte Philippines)
http://www.facebook.com/FitnRight
Proctor and Gamble, Distributing Pihilippines Inc.
Robert McDonald, CEO
brandinfo@ph.pgconsumers.com
Tel: (632) 894-3955 (MM)
1800-1-888-8008 (Outside MM, toll free)
Unilever Philippines
Fernando Fernandez, Chair
media.affairs@unilever.com
t: (632) 588-7400
f; (632) 588 7711
Cebuana Lhuillier
Jean Henri Lhuillier, CEO
T: (632) 895 1777, 8951619, 8951744, 8951222
F: (632) 5977814
THOSE WITHOUT OUT OFFICIAL STATEMENT OR THOSE WHO DECIDED NOT TO PULL OUT
Smart Communications Inc.,
Napoleon Navarro, President and CEO
publicaffairs@smart.com.ph
Suyen Corporation, Makers of Bench Clothing Line
Ben Chan, CEO
bench@benchtm.com
Tel; (632) 777-7888
Fax; (632)844-8150
Liwayway Manufacturing Corporation, Makers of Oishi Foods
Carlson Chan, Vice Chairman
carlsonroving@yahoo.com
T: (632) 844 8441-52
F: (632) 815 8343 or 887 4399
Aldrtz Corporate Center
Ritchie Corpus, Founder and President
Tel/Fax: (034) 432 3270
info@aldrtz.com
Nutriasia Group
Mr. Joselito Campos, Chairman and CEO
(632) 636 0279
Others not listed, in need of contact information as the website does not provide:
Technomarine Asia
Cherry Mobile
UPDATED 12:09 April 3,
Cherry Mobile
Maynard Ngu, Ceo
(632) 512 9302, 5479015, 547 8593, 577 5490
Technomarine Asia (Singapore)
+85223703555
info@technomarine.net
Foton Motor Philippines
Rommel Sutin, President
T: (632) 442 4076, 442 4077, 4424078
inq@foton.com.ph
Medical Test System (Distributor of Glutamax)
T: (632) 892 1250, 893 1443, 813 0069
F: (632) 816 6350
medtest@pldtdsl.net
Vista Residence Inc
Thrace Alcade, Business Development Head
T: (632) 298 5389
vistamanila@gmail.com
Back to TopStatement from the Department of Social Work and DevelopmentPRESS STATEMENT of
DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman on the
Case of the Child “Jan-Jan” Shown in Willing Willie
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) condemns the emotional abuse and humiliation bestowed on a six-year-old child contestant, during the March 12, 2011 episode of the Willing Willie show aired on TV 5.
The sequence shows the boy gyrating in a distasteful manner with the audience, including the host (Willie Revillame), manifesting no evidence of concern or alarm for the child. This incident is clearly a violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act and a blatant manifestation of child abuse. The term “child abuse” includes the following acts: “psychological and physical abuse, neglect, cruelty, sexual abuse and emotional maltreatment,” and “any act by deeds or words which debases, degrades or demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of the child as a human being.”
Putting pressure on children to do acts such as mimicking adult sexy dances, in exchange for a certain amount of money, and at the expense of being laughed at and ridiculed by hundreds of people, clearly traumatizes the child. This is a clear form of child abuse and will not be tolerated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
The Department has already communicated to ABC Development Communication Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan asking that children should not be allowed to appear in TV shows like Willing Willie, especially those capitalizing on poverty as a source of immediate entertainment. In the formal communication with Mr. Pangilinan, the Department has also rebuked the insensitive actions and remarks of Mr. Revillame.
On a final note, the Department is also conducting its own investigation on the said incident and if warranted under the circumstances, legal action will be taken against the TV 5 management and other concerned parties in violation of RA 7610. The necessary counseling will also be awarded to the child and his parents, to prevent further trauma and abuse due to the media hype brought about by this saddening incident.
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Missing document.Apology from TV5 and Mr. RevillameMr. Willie Revillame, the producers of "Willing Willie" and TV5 sincerely and deeply apologize for the segment of the show featuring 6-year-old Jan-Jan Suan which viewers may have found offensive or in bad taste. We wish to stress that there was never any intention to humiliate or abuse Jan-Jan or any contestant on the show.
"Willing Willie" is a program that was conceptualized to bring joy and hope and shine the spotlight on ordinary Filipinos. The program aims to provide a venue for everyone to show their talents, tell their stories and make their dreams come true. This is the thrust of everyone involved in the program, particularly its host, Willie Revillame.
Like most contestants on the show, Jan-Jan, accompanied by his aunt, joined the program to showcase his talent and play in a game segment in the hope of bringing home big prizes. He has performed in the past in school programs and mall contests, and his performance in "Willing Willie" was completely voluntary and with the blessings of his parents.
He appeared to be sad or even in tears, not because he was being forced to dance, but because he felt the dance was "serious" and he was playing a role. He did not want to smile because of his missing upper front teeth and because of the presence on the set of former basketball player Bonel Balingit who Jan-jan thought was a scary "giant".
Again, TV5 and Wil Productions express profound regret for any insensitivity on their part, and wish to thank all those who have expressed concern. We are always grateful to be reminded of our obligations to the viewing public. In turn, we hope to make clear that the objective of the show has always been to bring joy and hope to Filipinos, whether they are participating on the show or viewing at home.
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March 29, 2011
Dear Mr. Grate,
Greetings from the Philippine Association of National Advertisers (PANA)!
This is to acknowledge receipt of your email sent to the Philippine Association of National Advertisers (PANA) office yesterday March 28.
Please find below the email circulated to the representative of PANA member-companies, attaching your letter documenting “Child Abuse on Willing Willie show in TV5”.
We are sharing this information to our membership consistent with our mission statement which states that: PANA aims to be an association of advertisers providing leadership, guidance and support in the promotion of effective, truthful and responsible marketing communications, championing self-regulation, consumer protection, values formation and the advancement of the practice of marketing communications to global standards.
With this information, we trust that our members will be guided accordingly on the best decision to take.
Rest assured that the management of TV5 has also been contacted regarding our member advertisers’ concern on this
Respectfully yours
John V. Rojo
President
PANA
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