CA affirms arrest order vs Willie Revillame

MANILA, Philippines – The Court of Appeals (CA) has affirmed its earlier decision to issue a warrant for the arrest of television host and comedian Willie Revillame on charges of child abuse.

In a three-page resolution promulgated on April 11, the appellate court’s 13th Division upheld its decision in September last year finding probable cause to file a criminal case against Revillame.

The CA denied Revillame’s appeal to void the warrant for his arrest for lack of merit.

Citing the petitioner’s failure to raise new arguments, the CA stood firm in its findings that there was probable cause to charge Revillame with child abuse.

“We have carefully reviewed the ruling and found that the issues raised in the petition has been presented to justify the reversal or modification of the assailed decision,” read the ruling penned by Associate Justice Maria Luisa Quijano Padilla.

The CA affirmed the order issued by Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 86 Judge Roberto Buenaventura for the arrest of Revillame in September 2013.

The appellate court dismissed Revillame’s argument that the issuance of a warrant for his arrest was arbitrary.

The CA did not find any abuse of discretion on the part of Buenaventura when he issued the warrant of arrest in October 2013.

The CA explained that the judge issued the warrant of arrest after evaluation of the factual circumstances in the case.

In upholding the lower court’s order, the CA held that “in determination of probable cause, absolute certainty of evidence is not required.”

Associate Justices Normandie Pizarro and Samuel Gaerlan concurred with the ruling.

Leonard de Vera, Revillame’s lawyer, said the CA ruling was moot since the TV host has been allowed to post a bail of P80,000.

The case stemmed from the March 12, 2011 episode of Revillame’s defunct game show Willing Willie wherein a six-year-old boy showed his “macho dancing” moves.

Revillame asked the boy to repeat the dance several times while saying “beer pa, beer pa.” He then gave the boy P10,000.

Days after the episode was aired, a complaint was sent to the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The DSWD filed a complaint for violation of Republic Act 7610, the anti-child abuse law, with the Quezon City prosecutor’s office.