Willie to ABS-CBN: I want out

Showbiz Eye by Gerry Plaza

Claiming that ABS-CBN had not acted in good faith and violated an agreement that he would return to his noontime show “Wowowee” on July 31, Willie Revillame said on Monday that he wants out of the Kapamilya network.

“After much thought and thorough reflection on where I should stand in the face of these frustrating events, I have come to the conclusion that I should now rescind our contract,” Willie said in a letter addressed to ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio Lopez III.

Willie said the network “has not dealt with me fairly,” citing instances when he had met with top officials of the network last month and agreed to the comeback.

After those meetings, Willie said he had already executed plans to refurbish the show with new segments and other features in subsequent meetings with the “Wowowee” staff. But on July 20, he said, one of those officials he previously met, Entertainment Production head Linggit Tan, met him again only to inform him that the network changed its mind and decided to start a new show to replace “Wowowee” starting on that exact, agreed date, July 31.

That show was “Pilipinas Win na Win!” hosted by Robin Padilla and Kris Aquino, with his former “Wowowee” co-hosts Mariel Rodriguez, Valerie Concepcion and Pokwang.

Linggit also informed Willie that the network decided to place him in two new shows — a weekly show on ABS-CBN Channel 2 and another possible show on its sister channel Studio 23.

He said he was “shocked” by the turn of events.

“I am aware of the implications of my decision but I have to do it. I cannot just sit idly by and watch the death of a show that has brought joy and hope in so many ways to our less fortunate countrymen,” Willie further said in his August 9 letter.

Willie said he will turn down the network’s planned programs for him, one of which is pre-recorded.

“Although ABS-CBN has graciously offered me a replacement program, I am declining it because it is a one-hour weekly show, not live but pre-recorded, and therefore, not of the same kind of equivalent importance as ‘Wowowee,’” Willie noted.

He also claimed such a pre-recorded program would open the possibility of “prior restraint and censorship” and that it won’t assure him that he will be given the same exposure of a live daily program such as “Wowowee” that would allow him “to relate directly to my constituents and make them happy.”

Willie also accused ABS-CBN of “airing destructive pieces against me, instead of promoting me as a talent” and mentioned that his contract was a “one-sided contract of adhesion, intended to destroy my career and humiliate me.”

Willie first expressed his intention to be released from his contract with ABS-CBN in May after the network did not budge on his dare to fire fellow Kapamilya talent Jobert Sucaldito over his critique against the show for featuring underachievers in a segment.

But Willie agreed to abide by his contract obligations and simply take an indefinite leave from the show.

He explained his actions against Sucaldito were a result of “loving Wowowee too much and making it my life.”

“I have put my heart and soul to the program and in the process, I discovered that the secret to its phenomenal success is ‘pagpapaka-totoong tao’ and genuine love and affection for its faithful followers. This is the reason why I reacted emotionally when they were insulted by no less than a fellow ABS-CBN talent,” Willie said.

With “Wowowee’s” cancellation, Willie said, “I see no reason why I should still continue with my contract with ABS-CBN.”

For its part, ABS-CBN released a statement later Monday that read:

“Willie is bound to ABS-CBN by a contract until September 2011. He violated the behavioral provisions of his contract when he threatened the ABS-CBN management during the May 4, 2010 episode of ‘Wowowee,’ with a resignation if management does not fire another artist of the network. His behavior was generally seen as a display of disrespect and arrogance, completely unacceptable to the Filipino public.

“As the one who violated his contract, Willie has no right to have it unilaterally invalidated. Contracts are binding agreements that must be respected by the contracting parties involved. The one who violates the contract cannot be allowed to dictate whether it should continue or end. Otherwise, contracts will have no value and may be terminated based on whim.

“ABS-CBN is the aggrieved party, and as such, is the only one that can decide to end the agreement.

“Despite all that had happened, ABS-CBN was willing to continue with the contract. Willie however, refused to take responsibility for his actions.

“ABS-CBN wishes to reiterate that it will hold Willie to his obligations under the contract which expires September 2011.”