Are contracts meaningless?

This refers to the article “Goliath” written by Mr. Alex Magno in his column First Person last Saturday, October 9, 2010, wherein he cited many of Willie Revillame’s legal arguments and none of ABS-CBN. Thus, we would like to present our side on the issue.

1) There is no basis to say that the contract is unfair and favors ABS-CBN. Willie is not being subjected to either involuntary servitude or slavery. Remember that Willie entered into an agreement and signed a contract with ABS-CBN. Our position is that he should honor and respect the contract. As we have always maintained, 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.

2) Willie is not subjected to unemployment as ABS-CBN offered him a program but he refused to even discuss it. Kindly note that the network has also shown its willingness to continue paying Willie’s talent fee, despite his refusal to work. The real issue here is the utter disregard by Willie of a valid and binding agreement. We maintain that ABS-CBN is the aggrieved party here, and as such, is the only one that can decide to end the agreement. Willie must respect the contract terms until and unless a court of law declares its rescission. Otherwise, all contracts are meaningless and may be disregarded.

3) Willie is no David. He is backed by TV-5, which is owned by a telecom giant PLDT. Perhaps, because of the resources at his disposal, he has turned this legal confrontation into a public relations battle, as well. Proof is the many columnists, showbiz or otherwise, who have come out to take the cudgels for Willie. Based on Willie’s own publicity releases, he bagged a multi-billion contract with TV-5. The amount is staggering, which no doubt belies the Goliath-like resources behind Willie and the desire to immediately be a major player and a win-at-all-cost attitude. The engagement of Willie despite his ABS-CBN contract is a clear example. It reveals an utter disregard for contracts and disrespect for the legal rights of others.

Thus, it is not only talents and artists who should be interested in the outcome of this case. The business and legal communities should be interested, as well. At the heart of the issue is whether reliance may still be had in agreements forged between parties. If not, chaos shall reign in what should otherwise be a civilized and orderly society.