CHR holds discussion on Child Abuse incident in Willing Willie

Early this morning, The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) held a case investigation discussion regarding the March 12 Alleged Child Abuse Incident in the primetime TV show Willing Willie.

Present in the meeting were representatives from the Department of Labor and Local Government (DOLE), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other government agencies. Also, members of the Facebook page Para Kay Janjan and other concerned non-government organizations attended the meeting.

“When a child is subjected to perform something that may not be morally or socially right yet is given a reward (payment or prize), this leads to a confusion in the child, ” explains renowned Child Psychologist Dr. Honey Carandang, the discussion’s resource speaker. Dr. Carandang is firm in her position that there was child abuse happened on the night of March 12. She said that it was clear from the tears and facial expression of Janjan that he was not enjoying the act. “The respect for child was violated,” Carandang stated.

Yesterday, TV-radio host Cristy Fermin interviewed TV5 lawyer Atty. De Vera via phone patch. Fermin discredits the Dr. Carandang by stating that the psychologist is the mother of Secretary Ricky Carandang, who had worked for ABS-CBN. De Vera adds that the psychologist also handles lecture on the said station. ABSCBN and the Willie Revillame are currently in a legal battle concerning Revillame’s transfer to the kapatid network.

Furthermore, De Vera questions Dr. Carandang’s credibility by stating that she can’t possibly arrived at a conclusion that there was indeed child abuse because the psychologist has not talked to the child yet. De Vera adds that Carandang is the least qualified psychologist to handle a counselling for Janjan because the she had prejudged the case.

Dr. Carandang also stated in the discussion that Janjan’s family did not appear on a counseling session arranged by the DSWD yesterday, April 11. On an interview aired Monday night, Jojo Estrada, Janjan’s father, said that they are afraid that Janjan’s custody will be taken away from them.

After the discussion, CHR Chairwoman Etta Rosales maintains that Revillame et al committed child abuse on the March 12 incident. Commissioner Cardona adds that more evidences are needed to be gathered before legal actions can be taken.

Meanwhile, Noemi Lardizabal-Dado, Froilan Grate, and other concerned citizens are planning to file a criminal case against the host, the show and TV5.

Also today, the Philippine Commission on Women released a statement condemning the acts of Revillame and the network. On the other hand, the Senate announced that it will create a panel that will investigate the said incident.