PHILIPPINES, APRIL 20, 2011 – Even with Willing Willie on hiatus, the issue rages on.
MTRCB has yet to reorganize their panel on the issue, but the repercussions continue in the case of Jan-Jan, a young boy who danced lasciviously on Willing Willie for prize money.
Host Willie Revillame remains insistent that he has done no wrong, and has said again and again that the sponsor boycott of his show has hurt him. In the meantime, Jan-Jan’s parents have announced plans to sue for libel against child psychologist Dr. Honey Carandang and two bloggers.
Manuel V. Pangilinan (MVP), Operator of TV5 has confirmed to the reporters that Willie Revillame will stay with the network despite the controversy. Pangilinan said in Showbiz News Philippines, “He (Willie Revillame) is staying. Let’s try to save Willie.”
Jim Paredes, a member of the APO Hiking Society, and a very vocal critic of Revillame, finds his statement a little too familiar, similar to the stance Gabby Lopez took with Willie during his time with ABS-CBN. "History is repeating itself. I don’t know if he is doing this consciously, or if this another subtle, unintended act of ‘plagiarism.’" The act of plagiarism hints at a previous incident with MVP where he was found to have plagiarised a speech when he addressed graduates of Ateneo de Manila University.
Brands that have suspended ads on Willing Willie before Revillame announced its break were: Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC), Cebuana Lhuillier, Procter & Gamble (P&G), and Fit ‘n’ Right Del Monte Pacific Ltd.
Unilever Philippines announced a shocking move to suspend sponsorship for all game shows until the matter is settled.
Nutri-Asia, who makes of UFC food products, also decided to suspend ads and promotional segments from “Willing-Willie” but clarifies that their decision is purely “market-based” and not a judgement on the issue.
CDO has agreed to honor their contract with TV5 and the show, but has assured the public that maintaining their sponsorship in Willing-Willie doesn’t mean that they will tolerate the show or its host to go “against the values we stand for.”
Liwayway Manufacturing Corporation, makers of Oishi, has said that they are still looking into actions that can yield actual and positive results.
Apart from the advertisers mentioned, official statements of “Willing-Willie” advertisers including Smart Communications, Inc., Suyen Corporation (Bench), Yakult, Camella, Visita Land Company, Belo Medical Group and Cherry Mobile have yet to be announced.
