Willie Revillame Ready for Legal Battle Against ABS-CBN

Television personality Willie Revillame is ready to face ABS-CBN in court following his announcement to rescind his contract with the network.

Revillame said he still has a year left in his contract with ABS-CBN. He added, though, that he wants to return to TV on or before December of this year.

"Basta gusto ko bago mag-Pasko kung saan man ay may programa na ako. Kung saan man, gusto ko talaga na ganoon. Kung ano ang mangyari sa akin ay gagawan ko ng paraan ‘yon," Revillame said.

He added: "Hangga’t hindi ako nai-injunction pwede naman daw akong lumabas sabi ng mga abogado ko."

He even joked that he might start a new TV show titled "Willing Willie" or "Wil na Wil."

What’s definite, he said, is that he is not returning to ABS-CBN even amid speculations that he might be given a project alongside action star Robin Padilla. "Hindi na. Hindi na ako makakabalik kasi ito na, nakapag-desisyon na ako."

Talent manager Lolit Solis, one of those who organized Revillame’s press conference on Monday, also said the controversial TV host is ready to face the legal battle.

"Handa na si Willie sa anumang legal na kumplikasyon na magaganap dahil sa pag-giit ng ABS- CBN na binding pa rin ang kanyang kontrata sa network hanggang September 2011," she said.

Solis revealed that Revillame might announce his new show that will be aired in a new channel after 2 weeks.

ABS-CBN executives have refused to release him from his contract that will expire in September 2011.

Bong Osorio, head of ABS-CBN Corporate Communications, said on Monday that as an “aggrieved party,” ABS-CBN is the only one, not Revillame, that can decide whether to end the contract.



Osorio also maintained that the network will address all issues raised by Revillame in his letter “at the appropriate time.”

Wil Tower

Revillame, meanwhile, assured that he will still proceed with his plan to construct his own studio inside Wil Tower.

The host said the construction of Wil Tower will resume on August 15. Wil Tower is located in front of ABS-CBN’s audience entrance.

"Parang Oprah Studio, mga 1,200 seating capacity. Kung meron akong show, doon na manonood. Magiging para sa lahat kumpleto, may kainan, may mall," Revillame said.

Reports said Wil Tower is the first joint venture project of Revillame and Sen. Manuel Villar.

‘Disappointed’

After the network ended the airing of “Wowowee” on July 31, Revillame was offered a one-hour weekly program on Channel 2 and a possible TV show on Studio 23.

Revillame, however, declined the offers. According to him, he was scheduled to return to “Wowowee” on July 31 as what was agreed upon during his separate meetings with ABS-CBN executives Charo Santos-Concio and Linggit Tan.

He said he was surprised and disappointed after Tan informed him that the company had a change of mind.

He protested the cancellation of “Wowowee” and the network’s plan to give him a pre-recorded TV show.

“After much thought and thorough reflection on where I should stand in the face of these frustrating events, I have come to the conclusion that I should now rescind our contract,” he said in his August 9 letter to ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III.

“I do this because I honestly believe that the company has not dealt with me fairly. The company acted in bad faith and in clear violation of our contract,” Revillame added.

He also said he sees no reason for the network not to release him from his contract obligations, citing its “allegation that I do not have the public trust or acceptance.”

No intention to hurt them

Revillame maintained that he has no intention to hurt the feelings of Lopez and Concio, but he said he had to make his decision.

"Mabigat kasi ang naging desisyon na ito kasi marami akong inisip na mga taong masasaktan, especially si Ma'am Charo, si Boss Gabby na naramdaman ko naman ang pagmamahal nila sa akin, totoo naman yon,” he said.

He added: "Kaya lang in life, sa buhay ng tao, magde-desisyon ka na masakit pero dapat panindigan mo na ‘yon. At dapat handa ka na sa lahat ng desisyon mo sa buhay."

Revillame said he decided to leave the network to avoid hurting other people. Revillame also believed that his decision to end his contract with ABS-CBN is for the good of everybody, especially those who are against him.

"Kasi marami na akong nakausap na taong masasaktan naman sa akin, tinalikuran ko naman sila. It's not about fame, it's not about popularity, it's not about the money, ‘yong prinsipyo ko na ito. Sa sarili ko. Firm na ako sa desisyon ko," he said.

When asked to comment on reports that ABS-CBN channel head Cory Vidanes had threatened to quit if Revillame would be allowed to go back to “Wowowee,” he replied:

"Sa puso ko, mahal ko silang lahat. In fairness, kay Tita Cory noong time na nagdi-deal ako sa sponsorship pinapakinggan naman niya ako. Pinapayagan naman niya ang mga deal ko. So, wala akong masamang nararamdaman at kinakasama ng loob sa kanila, kay Tita Cory,” Revillame said.