ABS-CBN Answers Willie Revillame’s Presscon Pronouncements

During a press conference, Willie Revillame announced that he is leaving ABS-CBN despite an existing exclusive contract between him and the Kapamilya network. On his letter to ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio Lopez III, Willie protested the humiliation and treatment he got from the network.

“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.”

Revillame added that he feels real bad for being placed on probationary status by the network without any clear direction and plans for him; he also strongly criticized the “unilateral downgrading of his appearance from live to a pre-recorded program” saying that such a format precludes “prior restraint and censorship.”

He also accused the network of staging “well-coordinated attacks” on his image and personhood by “airing destructive pieces against [him], instead of promoting [him] as a talent” and “abuse of right under a one-sided contract of adhesion, intended to destroy [his] career and humiliate [him].”

With that, Willie Revillame demanded ABS-CBN to just let him go and not let this issue reach a legal battle between them.

ABS-CBN, on the other hand, refuted Revillame’s arguments by releasing an official statement regarding the controversial host’s pronouncements today.

Here is the official statement sent by ABS-CBN to Starmometer:

We take note of Willie Revillame’s pronouncements in his press conference today.

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.