2 NGOs join new ‘get Willie’ drive

TWO NGO (nongovernment organization) umbrella groups and a concerned citizen have joined the outcry for “immediate sanctions” on controversial TV personality Willie Revillame for an episode of the TV5 game show, “Willing Willie,” which he hosts.

In separate statements, the Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns and Gabriela National Alliance of Women condemned the program’s March 12 episode, saying it violated children’s rights.

A video clip that went viral on YouTube showed Jan-Jan Suan, 6, performing a simulated striptease. Amused, Revillame asked the boy to repeat the dance, then joined in while the studio audience cheered wildly.

Salinlahi took exception to the host’s comment, “That’s how hard life is. Janjan has to learn macho dancing at his age, for the sake of his family).” Revillame gave the boy P10,000.

Gabriela assailed Revillame’s defense in last Monday’s episode of the program as “brazen.” The women’s group said it was “callous” of Revillame to say that more important national issues should be tackled instead of castigating his show over an episode.

National Museum consultant John Silva, as a concerned citizen, sent out a press statement of his own urging a boycott of the products advertised on “Willing Willie.”

Describing the episode as “sickening,” Silva said such a boycott was the viewers’ way of getting even “if you are as disgusted as I am.”