At the start of a hearing called by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), lawyer Leonard de Vera asked the panel to arrange a “full-blown hearing” to enable Revillame to present his side in connection with allegations of exploitation of a minor in his popular but now grounded show.

“Willie needs to be heard,” De Vera said after a closed door hearing at the MTRCB office in Quezon City. “He has to be given the chance to explain why he did what he did on the show.”

“As the rule stands now, Willie is still not allowed to testify,” De Vera said, recounting to the Philippine Daily Inquirer what he said happened at the hearing.

De Vera told the Inquirer in a previous interview he was told by the MTRCB it could not summon Revillame to explain since the board could only sanction a program, not its employees.

Davao City’s example

Also Tuesday, the Senate’s committee on youth, women and family relations said it would review existing laws to ensure that the rights of the child are protected.

“We have so many talent shows and contests where kids are made to dress and gyrate like sexy dancers thinking that it’s ‘cute’ or ‘funny,’” said Sen. Pia Cayetano, committee chairperson.

“But in gender-sensitive cities like Davao, the mayor has long banned the swimsuit portion in their annual Mutya ng Dabaw (pageant) search.”

Cayetano said there was no reason why such an example—showing respect “for both women and children, not only in talent shows but also on TV, advertisements and all forms of media”—could not be followed across the country.

Two laws

The senator said two existing laws would be scrutinized—Republic Act No. 9262, or the Act Defining Violence Against Women and their Children, and RA 7610, the Act Providing for Stronger and Special Protection Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination.

RA 7610 states: “Any person who shall hire, employ, use, persuade, induce or coerce a child to perform in obscene exhibitions and indecent shows, whether live or in video, or model in obscene publications or pornographic materials or to sell or distribute the said materials shall suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its medium period.”

“If the child used as a performer, subject or seller/distributor is below twelve (12) years of age, the penalty shall be imposed in its maximum period,” it says.

The law covers parents or guardians of children.

“Any ascendant, guardian, or person entrusted in any capacity with the care of a child who shall cause and/or allow such child to be employed or to participate in an obscene play, scene, act, movie or show or in any other acts covered by this section shall suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its medium period,” it says.

Shalani was there

Valenzuela councilor Shalani Soledad, Revillame’s co-host, and Jay Montelibano, “Willing Willie” business unit head, as well as the 21-member WW Girls dance group, were present at Tuesday’s hearing.

Over 100 Revillame fans, all wearing white and green shirts, trooped to the MTRCB to support the beleaguered host.

At the MTRCB hearing, deadlines were set for the parties to submit affidavits and present arguments, said Jake Corporal, TV5’s legal counsel.

“I’m satisfied with the way things went today,” Corporal said. “They listened to both sides very carefully. They took time to actually study our arguments before making rulings.”

Filmmaker Milo Sogueco, retired teacher Carmen Musngi and lawyer Noel del Prado composed the newly revamped hearing and adjudication board.

Quick action

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima promised quick action on any case that may be filed against those who may have violated the rights of a minor.

“The Department of Justice is waiting for the appropriate complaint and we will act immediately,” De Lima told reporters.

At a round table discussion in Quezon City, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) commissioner Norberto dela Cruz raised questions about whether it was true that the boy had auditioned first before appearing on the show, or whether he was forced into it.

Dela Cruz also wanted to know whether the boy was told to perform like a macho dancer, whether he did it on his own, or whether his parents taught him to dance that way.

Also present at the round table were officials from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the National Council for Children’s Television, the Council for the Welfare of Children and psychologist Honey Carandang.

No representative of TV5 was present. The CHR said it was because the meeting was not an investigation.

DSWD Director Alicia Bonoan said the department, which has been looking after the boy’s welfare since the incident happened, said the parents had come to realize that the kind of dance the boy performed was inappropriate.

CHR Chair Loretta Rosales said the discussions should lead to the drawing up of guidelines to protect the child.

Marinel Cruz & Christian Esguerra, Inquirer.net