Willie Revillame’s lawyer comments on Willie’s child abuse case

MANILA, Philippines – The lawyer of comedian Willie Revillame clarified that his client is not hiding from or avoiding the child abuse case filed against him.

According to a report from a Pep, lawyer Leonard S. de Vera said in a statement that Willie’s camp wants to correct the reports that came out in the media.

“We wish to correct news reports appearing today that Mr. Willie Revillame refused to submit himself to the jurisdiction of the court and that a warrant of arrest should be issued against him for a child abuse case that was filed back in 2011,” de Vera said.

“Upon the finding of probable cause by the regional trial court of Quezon City Branch 86, Mr. Revillame sought and was immediately granted bail in the amount of P80,000.00 in September 4, 2013 or more than two years ago.

“Accordingly, it is unnecessary for the trial court to issue a warrant of arrest against Mr. Revillame,” De Vera said.

De Vera also explained that, as part of his client’s right, Willie appealed to the Court of Appeals (CA) on the decision against him, but this petition remained pending until the September 7 ruling.

“The inaccurate reports spreading in social and mass media are regrettable and are being misinterpreted by certain quarters on account of Mr. Revillame’s success in his new show Wowowin now being aired in GMA-7.

“It is evident that these reports are intended merely to taint and besmirch Mr. Revillame and his new show in the Kapuso network.”

De Vera also said that Willie is innocent until proven guilty, and there is no evidence that he is guilty of the charges against him. 

Recently, the CA affirmed the order from the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Quezon City, which found probable cause in Willie’s case and issued a warrant of arrest against him.

The warrant was issued back in 2013. The decision written by Associate Justice Ma. Luisa Quijano-Padilla said that the case was delayed because of Willie’s “refusal to submit to the trial court’s jurisdiction and his erroneous invocation of the Rules in his favor.” (READ: Willie Revillame faces arrest for child abuse case) 

On the March 12, 2011 episode of the now-defunct show Willing Willie on TV5, a 6-year-old boy showed his “macho dancing” moves, which Willie asked him to repeat again. Wille later gave him P10,000 for repeating the dance.

This did not sit well with audiences. A complaint was sent to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the DSWD later filed the case against Willie. The show was suspended for two weeks after the incident.

Willie now hosts the show Wowowin on the GMA network. – Rappler.com