Willie rescinds ABS-CBN contract, but network says no

CEBU, Philippines - Television host Willie Revillame announced yesterday that he was leaving ABS-CBN despite existing contract obligations.

According to an ABS-CBN news report, Revillame, in a letter to ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio Lopez III dated August 9—a copy of which was furnished to the media—stated that he was rescinding his contract, citing the network’s unfair treatment of him.

“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,” he said.

“I do this because I honestly believe that the company has not dealt with me fairly. The company acted in bad faith and in clear violation of our contract,” he added.

He also said that he sees no reason for ABS-CBN not to release him from his contractual obligations because of its “allegation that I do not have the public trust or acceptance.”

Revillame was given an “indefinite break” by ABS-CBN following the May 4, 2010 incident, wherein he publicly threatened to resign from his popular noontime program if the network’s management would not dismiss entertainment journalist Jobert Sucaldito for criticizing “Wowowee” on several occasions. He later apologized to the management for his outburst.

In the statement, Revillame also said that he was supposed to return to “Wowowee” on July 31 as agreed upon during his two meetings with ABS-CBN execs.

The first meeting was said to have happened on July 10, at his residence in Tagaytay, with Linggit Tan, head of ABS-CBN TV production, wherein he said he gave suggestions on how to enhance the program via new game shows and opening musical numbers.

A second meeting took place on July 13, and this time with ABS-CBN President Charo Santos-Concio, whom Revillame said confirmed his return. Revillame said he then met up with his staff, telling them they would be working again on “Wowowee” on July 31.

However, Revillame said he was told by Tan in another meeting on July 20 that he would no longer be going back to the show. On July 26, he said a letter from Tan informed him that the company changed its mind by canceling “Wowowee” and offering him a one-hour weekly, and pre-recorded program as his new show.

“Wowowee” was later replaced by “Pilipinas Win na Win” with Kris Aquino and Robin Padilla as main hosts, plus former “Wowowee” mainstays Pokwang, Mariel Rodriguez, and Valerie Concepcion.

“I was shocked at the repudiation of the agreement for my return to ‘Wowowee’ on July 31… 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,” he said. “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’.”

He added, “To Sir Gabby and Ma’am Charo (Santos-Concio), I thank you from the bottom of my heart for believing in me and for giving me opportunities in life. I have yet to decide what to do for the days to come. But for now my objective is to move on and to learn from my experience.”

Apart from the official statement, Revillame also held a presscon yesterday, wherein he said he wants to part ways with ABS-CBN peacefully, will not sue for damages, although his defense is that the network did not fulfill its side of the contract, Pep.ph reported.

His lawyers, Atty. Ferdie Domingo and Atty. Nards Vera, were also quoted as saying that their client will not pay damages and that Willie is the “injured party.”

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN has also released a statement in reaction to Revillame’s pronouncements.

The statement said that Willie is bound to ABS-CBN by a contract until September 2011 and that the network will hold him to his obligations until his contract expires.

“He violated the behavioral provisions of his contract when he threatened the ABS-CBN management during the May 4, 2010 episode of ‘Wowowee’… His behavior was generally seen as a display of disrespect and arrogance, completely unacceptable to the Filipino public.”

It further said that 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.”

The statement maintained that ABS-CBN is the aggrieved party and that “it is 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,” it said.