Willie on leave from Wowowee, stays with ABS-CBN

Posted at 4:50 pm May 25, 2010

Tags: Showbiz, Television

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By Anna Valmero

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QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA—Wowowee show host Willie Revillame is on “indefinite leave” from the noontime show after talks with the management of ABS-CBN on Monday.

An excerpt from the letter of Bong R. Osorio, head of ABS-CBN corporate communications, says that ABS-CBN management has accepted Willie’s apology for his outburst on Wowowee last May 4 and his failure to report from work a day later.

Actor Robin Padilla stepped in as Wowowee host and the show’s ratings has reportedly soared.

During a live telecast, Revillame threatened to resign from Wowowee if management does not fire The Buzz host and radio commentator Jobert Sucaldito. (Days before the May 24 private meeting, Revillame’s alleged letter to ABS-CBN was published and shared online.)

After Revillame’s outburst, fan pages on Facebook (Pro-Willie Revillame page and Anti Jobert Suka-Dito, Suka-Doon!) cropped up defending the TV host.

“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,” Osorio’s statement says.

“I know that all these have caused so much strain on our relations and I would like to save the situation by asking that I be released as a talent of the station,” Revillame said in a report.

This is not the first time Revillame figured prominently in a controversy. Last year, he was severely criticized after questioning ABS-CBN’s live telecast of former president Cory Aquino’s funeral during Wowowee, for which he apologized for afterward.

Blogger Showbiz Renegade says Revillame won’t be able to leave ABS-CBN and vice versa because both are in mutually beneficial relationship based on money: “Willie is bringing home 25 million pesos a month, ABS-CBN is earning for sure millions of pesos a month from the program through advertisements and sponsors.”