Willie Revillame axed
from ABS-CBN noontime show
Posted: 9:57 PM (Manila Time) | Jan. 02, 2004
By Marinel Cruz
Inquirer News Service

THREE strikes and he's out... permanently.

Broadcasting giant ABS-CBN has terminated the contract of Willie Revillame as host of the noontime variety show "Masayang Tanghali Bayan."


In a statement sent to the Inquirer, ABS-CBN said it terminated its agreement with Revillame after he again "uttered offensive remarks" on the show. The termination was effective Jan. 1.

But Revillame claimed that he was not terminated.

"I resigned," he told the Inquirer over the phone, saying he filed his resignation letter on Dec. 28.

The network's decision to terminate Revillame's contract was prompted by a complaint made by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) about Revillame's use of double-meaning jokes.

On Dec. 23, MTRCB chairperson Consoliza Laguardia and a three-member adjudication board met with ABS-CBN executives to complain about Revillame's conduct in the Dec. 19 episode of "MTB."

In that episode, Revillame greeted co-host Mahal, who was celebrating her birthday, by saying, "Sana ma-devirginize ka na."

Revillame also introduced guest Ogie Alcasid as "the Big Bird of Asia." Alcasid was with Regine Velasquez, who is known as Asia's Songbird.

Revillame said the remarks he made had "no malicious intent" but were mere "slip of the tongue."

The ABS-CBN statement said: "While the network acknowledges the contribution of Mr. Revillame to the program and is saddened by this development, it remains committed in strictly carrying out self-regulation policies, which ultimately is for the benefit and protection of the viewing public."

It was the third time Revillame was punished for alleged vulgar behavior.

In 1999, the MTRCB suspended Revillame and co-hosts John Estrada and Randy Santiago for alleged vulgar behavior and treatment of contestants in the Calendar Girl segment of the show.

Last July, ABS-CBN suspended Revillame and Estrada for a week for using the terms "BJ," which is widely understood to mean "blow job," and "Jack Call," which is a euphemism for masturbation.

In another episode, Revillame and Estrada teased Mahal about her cleavage, the censors noted.
i guess it was just a matter of time for that sleazy bastard.