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Private citizens mull abuse raps vs Willie Revillame
By ANDREO CALONZO, GMA News
(Updated 6:32 p.m.) Private citizens are planning to file a child abuse complaint against television host Willie Revillame over the controversial episode of his show, Willing Willie, showing a teary-eyed six-year-old boy performing a âmacho" dance in exchange for cash prize. Blogger Noemi Lardizabal-Dado, a childrenâs rights advocate, said she and four other âconcerned citizens" are preparing criminal charges against Revillame and other persons liable for the alleged abuse of Jan-Jan Suan (earlier identified as Jan-Jan Estrada) during the March 12 episode. âI and about four other concerned citizens have already talked about this, and we are definitely filing a criminal case against these people. I witnessed the video on YouTube and nakita ko na there is some form of violation there," she said in an interview Tuesday. Willie's apology Revillame and the showâs producers had already issued an official apology for the incident, expressing âprofound regret for any insensitivity." They also denied that Jan-Jan was a victim of child abuse, saying they did not force the boy to perform the controversial dance moves. Nevertheless, Revillame announced Friday last week that the show would voluntarily go off-air for two weeks while he contemplates his next move. Dado, meanwhile, said her group is in the process of consulting lawyers about the criminal case against Revillame. She said they want to file the complaint within the month. She also said they have the full support of Roman Catholic priest and activist Robert Reyes. The private citizens were among those who attended a discussion on violence against children conducted by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in relation to the alleged incident. âCriminalâ During the discussion, CHR chairperson Loretta Rosales maintained that Revillame and persons behind the show committed a criminal offense when they repeatedly goaded the child to gyrate like a macho dancer. âDance is an art and an expression of oneâs feelings, but if a dance is used to commodify a child, then it becomes criminal. Thatâs how we look at it," she said. Rosales added that the CHR will welcome any complaint that will be filed before the commission in relation to the incident, citing the agencyâs duty to protect the child and the public. CHR Focal Commissioner for Children Ma. Victoria Cardona meanwhile said she thinks the commission needs to gather more evidence before recommending any legal actions against Revillame and the producers of the show. âFiling is easy but we want to win. We want more evidence," she said. Prostitution The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), an attached agency of the Office of the President, meanwhile, likened the âmacho-dancing" kid incident to prostitution. "That prostitution is a normal act was the undercurrent of Jan-Janâs performance. The loud response of adult audiences and his family toward his dance mirrors the depressing reality of societyâs misconception," the agency said in a statement. The commission also asked television networks to avoid cultivating a âculture" where âsexual travesty" among children is ârewarded with money." âIf they would grow up in a culture where sexual travesty is normal, appreciated, and rewarded with money, a generation of prostitutes is what this country will produce. Why? Because a prostitute is one who sells one's abilities, talent or name for an unworthy purpose," the statement read. The PCW added that it is currently coordinating with the MTRCB, the Optical Media Board and the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility to devise a code of ethics âfor gender sensitive and gender fair practices in media." â with Andreo Calonzo/KBK/RSJ, GMA News
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