MTRCB suspends 'Willing Willie' for one month

(Updated 5:03 p.m.) The controversial show "Willing Willie" has been suspended for one month, but its suspension is already almost up. The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) will count the airing days since April 11 that the show has been voluntarily off the air. The program will also be on probation, or on a "per-broadcast permit" status, until the MTRCB decides otherwise. "The Committee hereby directs the MTRCB Agents to conduct a daily monitoring of the show, and to submit a weekly report to the MTRCB Chief Legal Counsel, with regard to the faithful implementation of the measures committed by ABC5," the MTRCB’s 14-page decision read. The show was the subject of complaints after a six-year-old boy was prodded to gyrate like a macho dancer in an episode last March in exchange for a cash prize. The board found the show's network ABC-5 and network executive Ramon del Rosario guilty of violating Presidential Decree 1986, which created the MTRCB and empowered it to disapprove broadcast content found to be immoral or indecent. In its decision, the MTRCB commended the network for its formal apology and for its voluntary suspension. It resisted calls by outraged critics for more severe punishment, including termination of the show. 'Willing Willie' to resume airing May 9 Noel del Prado, MTRCB adjudication committee chairman, told GMA News Online in a phone interview that the suspension order will be lifted on May 8, a Sunday, which means the program can resume its regular programming the next day, May 9. "Na-credit namin ang voluntary suspension. Pero para hindi na magulo tignan, ang computation bale ay simula sa last airing date which is April 8," he said. Regarding the probation, Del Prado said they will be issuing a permit for "Willing Willie" to resume programming on May 10, and from then on will be requiring the producers to bring recorded videotapes that will be reviewed daily before issuing permits. "Hindi naman matagal ang proseso. Papanoorin lang namin ang video kung wala namang hindi kaaya-ayang nangyari sa araw na iyon, mag-iissue kami kagad ng permit on the same day," he said. Del Prado also said TV5 has the right to file a motion for reconsideration, although he discouraged the network from doing so. "Asking for a reconsideration would be impractical on the business side of TV5. Ilang days na lang ang natitira eh, hintayin na nila matapos ang suspension. Kasi kapag nag-file pa sila, mae-extend ang proseso at depending on the interpretation of the committee, maaaring ma-stay ang pag-count nung sine-serve nila na suspension," he said. Considerations The MTRCB committee formed by the MTRCB to probe the incident said it took several factors into consideration when they decided to impose the one-month suspension. These included TV5’s “Self-regulatory measures; the two-week voluntary suspension from April 11; TV5’s formal apology on April 4 about the incident; the respondent's admission of responsibility." The MTRCB also considered the fact that "Willing Willie" was a "first-time offender." Revillame's lawyer, Leonard de Vera, was quoted in a radio report as saying that while their camp considered the decision as "hindi katanggap-tanggap" (unacceptable), they were still respecting it. 'TV's quick fixes like drugs' Among the self-regulatory measures imposed by the network were the adoption of stricter policies on the participation of minors on their shows; the appointment of an internal Ombudsman; a moratorium on child contestants; the creation of its "Rules on Ethics"; and a close coordination with the Labor and Social Welfare departments, among others. The MTRCB said TV5’s self-regulatory measures were “commendable," and encouraged other industry players to study the network’s measures and consider institutionalizing their respective guidelines to protect children. In its decision, the MTRCB also recognized the “need for the overhaul of the TV classification system to respond to the exigencies and emerging trends." "A quick fix does not solve anything permanent. The state of the Philippine television industry is a product of a long process of compromises, and quick-fixes. These quick-fixes may be likened to drugs that are so addicting that we end up being trapped in its unending cycles of perpetrating poverty, and uneven power relations," the MTRCB said. The MTRCB said its decision on the "Willing Willie" controversy should serve as a reminder to networks, producers, directors, public figures, and celebrities that they are all "duty-bound to fight for a TV industry... that inspires, transforms, and moves us to live better lives." Meanwhile, Froilan Grate and his group, who were among the first to publicly criticize the alleged child abuse, welcomed the MTRCB decision, particularly the penalty on placing the show under a "per-broadcast permit." "This means that Willing Willie faces the additional burden and responsibility of creating a show that will pass MTRCB’s broadcasting standards EACH AND EVERY DAY," the group said in a statement. Grate urged the public, the media, and the government to remain vigilant and focused on protecting the rights of children and prevent their "sexualization in the media." "The MTRCB has taken the first step towards effecting positive changes in the media landscape, and it is now up to us, to all of us, to continue the struggle," the group said. — KBK, GMA News