PEP: ABS-CBN files P486M counterclaim damage suit vs Revillame

ABS-CBN has filed a P486-million counterclaim damage suit against former Wowowee host Willie Revillame. Atty. Augusto San Pedro Jr. represented ABS-CBN in filing the counterclaim before Judge Luisito Cortez of Regional Trial Court Branch 84 on Thursday, September 16. In its counterclaim, ABS-CBN says that Willie should pay P426.92 million as liquidated damages for breaching his contract with ABS-CBN. Willie's former home network is also seeking P20 million each for moral damages, exemplary damages, and attorney's fees and litigation expenses. According to a daily newspaper, the 139-page answer pointed out that Willie was the one who "materially breached his obligations under the Agreement while defendant ABS-CBN fully complied with its obligations." As a result, ABS-CBN has asked the QC RTC to dismiss Willie's complaint for judicial confirmation of rescission of contract with damages. It will be recalled that Willie asked the court to confirm the cancellation of his contract with ABS-CBN. The TV host also asked for P11.5 million in damages from the Kapamilya Network: P5 million in moral damages, P5 million in exemplary damages, P1 million for lawyers' fees and P500,000 for litigation costs. In its counterclaim, the Kapamilya network cited several incidents wherein Willie violated his contract, which states he must "not bring himself to public disrepute and jeopardize the success of Wowowee or defendant ABS-CBN." These include his outburst on August 3, 2009 wherein he reacted strongly to the video of the funeral hearse of the late President Corazon Aquino being shown at the same time while Wowowee was being broadcast live. Another incident cited was Willie's outburst on the May 4, 2010 episode of Wowowee wherein he threatened to resign from the show if management did not fire radio host Jobert Sucaldito. Willie alleged that Jobert had made harsh remarks about his noontime show and his contestants. Another major violation was his appearance on Paparazzi, a television show of rival network TV5. When PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) had the chance to ask Willie earlier today, September 17, regarding this development, he calmly answered, "Alam ko na iyan." He leaves it up to his legal counsel, Atty. Leonard de Vera, to answer this issue in his behalf. - Jocelyn Dimaculangan, PEP