http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/06/20/10/willie-revillame-appears-rival-network-report
It took place despite an agreement with ABS-CBN, that Revillame, “Wowowee’s” on-leave host, would uphold his contract obligations with his home network.
During the taping of the special episode of TV5’s “PO5,” Revillame appeared as the special guest of actor John Estrada, who was then celebrating his birthday on the show, “Paparazzi” reported.
According to the report, the “Wowowee” on-leave host performed 2 song numbers and distributed cash to studio audience.
A grateful Estrada told “Paparazzi” that he was surprised by the special guest appearance of Revillame, his close friend in show business.
Before the airing of the special episode, however, the report said the management of TV5 had first sought the permission of ABS-CBN to broadcast Revillame’s surprise appearance.
In a letter dated June 16, “Paparazzi” reported that ABS-CBN prohibited the airing, in full or in part, of Revillame’s guesting.
The Kapamilya network reiterated in its letter that Revillame “is prohibited from appearing and performing for a competitor of ABS-CBN.”
“Thus, the exhibition in the television program ‘PO5’ or any other program of Mr. Revillame's performance and appearance during the birthday celebration of Mr. Estrada will be a violation of his talent agreement, and will constitute an interference with said contract on your part,” the letter stated.
Upon receiving the letter, the report said TV5 decided against airing Revillame’s guesting, and his appearance was removed from the episode.
It would have been Revillame’s first public appearance following his much talked about outburst in his popular noontime program last month. Fellow Kapamilya talent Jobert Sucaldito’s alleged non-stop criticisms of “Wowowee” have reportedly triggered his outburst.
Contract obligations
During his public outburst last month, Revillame demanded that the network fire Sucaldito, and if the management would not do so, he threatened to leave the network.
Revillame wrote ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio Lopez III and president Charo Santos-Concio a letter asking them to release him from his contract. A copy of the letter dated May 12 was leaked to the media.
Both parties then held a meeting to discuss the issue. Later, Bong Osorio, head of ABS-CBN Corporate Communications, announced the result of the closed-door meeting.
Osorio said: “ABS-CBN and Willie agreed that he takes an indefinite break effective immediately, but his contract obligations with ABS-CBN hold. This disallows him to perform similar work for any person or entity in direct competition with ABS-CBN.”
“Willie has realized his mistake and apologized to ABS-CBN management for his outburst on air in Wowowee on May 4, 2010, and his failure to report to work since May 5, 2010. ABS-CBN management has accepted Willie’s apology,” the network said.
“At some point, ABS-CBN management and Willie will discuss what will be in the best interest of the viewing public. Meanwhile, Wowowee will continue to provide entertainment and inspiration to Filipinos worldwide,” Osorio added.
Revillame remains on an indefinite break up until today.
