ABS-CBN seeks restraining order against Willie Revillame

Willie Revillame will be facing a maze before he can go and host his new show "Willing Willie" as  ABS-CBN filed a petition seeking to stop Willie Revillame in hosting his upcoming new show from the fast rising rival network TV5. 

The airing of TV5's "Willing Willie" will be on October 23.

[ABS-CBN]
The Kapamilya network asked the Quezon City Regional Trial Court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) and a writ of preliminary injunction to stop Revillame “from committing further violations to his contract with the network” by launching “Willing Willie.”

The show will reportedly air this month over TV5.

In a 38-page petition, ABS-CBN appealed to the court to restrain Revillame from creating or performing work in companies that are direct competitors of ABS-CBN.

It also asked the court to stop the TV host “from engaging in activities which are adverse to the interests of ABS-CBN."

ABS-CBN cited his contract with TV5 and show “Willing Willie,” which, it said, is very similar to the defunct "Wowowee" on ABS-CBN.

Revillame reportedly was hands-on in the creation and conceptualization of the variety and game show.

ABS-CBN also cited TV5’s official statement issued on September 17 confirming that Revillame has signed a contract with the network to host a variety and game show.

ABS-CBN asserted that Revillame is bound to comply with his current obligations under the agreement he signed with the Kapamilya network.

While the court has not decided on the judicial rescission case filed by Revillame, the TV host decided to enter a new contract and agree to perform in new shows.

"Revillame's actions show that he has decided for himself that he can do as he pleases despite the honorable court's taking cognizance of the issues," ABS-CBN stated in the petition.

In a statement from ABS-CBN Corporate Communication Head Bong Osorio, when Revillame chose to ignore his contract with the Kapamilya network, it was left with no choice but to ask the courts to intervene.

“The issue on Willie Revillame is all about honoring a contract. To ABS-CBN, it is not only the ethical and right thing to do. It is a noble act of a person or a company that values honesty and integrity. These values are reflected in the way we do business in ABS-CBN. We honor what we say and we expect our people, talents and partners to reciprocate the trust and honor we give them,” said Osorio.

“If a person or company gives honor and respect to a contract, conflicts can be avoided. Just like in a family, do you walkout simply because your attention was called?” he added.

Revillame violated the behavioral provisions of his contract when he threatened the ABS-CBN management during the May 4 episode of "Wowowee" with a resignation if management does not fire another artist of the network.

After weeks of hiatus, Revillame resurfaced and called for a press conference that he is rescinding his contract with ABS-CBN.

ABS-CBN has maintained that it is the aggrieved party, and as such, is the only one that can decide to end the agreement.

ABS-CBN previously filed  P486-million damage suit against Willie Revillame for breaching his contract with the Kapamilya network. ABS-CBN claims that his contract will expire in September 2011