MTRCB Decision on Willing Willie: one month probational suspension but …

So Willie Revillame has probational suspension. But the bad news…

Time that “Willing Willie” was under voluntary suspension to be deducted so show can go back on air May 9.

“Give man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” MTRCB added

Thing is Willing Willie production house is not scot-free. A separate hearing will be conducted since they did not get permit from MTRCB to produce. Here is last page of MTRCB decision.

Movement to End Child Abuse Facebook page issued a statement on the MTRCB ruling below:

Para kay Jan-jan (Shame on you Willie Revillame!) On the MTRCB ruling for suspension of Willing Willie

03 May 2011 – The Para Sa Mga Bata Movement welcomes the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board’s (MTRCB) move to suspend the show Willing Willie and to put it on probation. We especially welcome the terms of the probation, which puts the show on a “per-broadcast permit” status, with a commitment from the MTRCB to monitor the broadcasts every day. This means that Willing Willie faces the additional burden and responsibility of creating a show that will pass MTRCB’s broadcasting standards EACH AND EVERY DAY. This will help ensure that the further abuse, degradation and humiliation of contestants, especially of children, will be prevented from happening again on this show.

However, the fight does not end here. It is incumbent upon us, the members of this community, as well as media institutions, government agencies, and other responsible sectors of society, to remain vigilant and focused on the issue of children’s sexualization in media. The MTRCB acknowledged as much in their decision, citing the need to “fight for a TV industry that does not only make us ‘eat for a day,’ but an industry that inspires, transforms, and moves us, to live better lives.”

The MTRCB has taken the first step towards effecting positive changes in the media landscape, and it is now up to us, to all of us, to continue the struggle. To quote the decision once again, “We are all advocates.” Let’s continue to fight the good fight as a community. Let’s see this through to the end.

Para sa mga bata.

Meanwhile the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) welcomes the decision of the MTRCB.

…especially on the premise of TV5’s admission of lapses on their part. In line with this, DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman said that “It is important that the MTRCB recognized that something wrong was done during that particular episode of Willing Willie. It strengthens the effort to review and tighten existing guidelines for children who appear on television as talents and/or as contestants in talent shows.”

This affirms our advocacy for the protection of the rights of children, including those who are part of the entertainment industry. The DSWD is committed to pursue its mandate to ensure the protection and promotion of the rights and welfare of children everywhere

.

The last page of the 13 page decision is shown below while complete decision may be read here

Not all is lost. Even if Willie Revillame was just given one month probationary suspension, at least it got people more aware of children’s rights and that the industry will hopefully be better after this. But people need to be vigilant as ever, and sponsors wiser with ad spending.

One thing we can be sure of:

Our cries were heard.

This does not mean we stop here.

This is a sign that we can bring the change that needs to be brought out.

This is a sign that every one of you is doing something positive.

Let’s not stop until we reach the very end, together we will remain vigilant

Here are some reactions in Twitter: