PNS — MEDIA giant ABS-CBN has filed a counter suit against its ertswhile noontime show host Willie Revillame and is seeking P486 million in “liquidated damages” for breach of contract.
ABS-CBN argued that Revillame was liable for breach of contract, alleging he violated the terms of his contract with the network.
“Plaintiff Revillame has no right under the agreement to unilaterally terminate or extrajudicially rescind the agreement, this power being reserved solely and exclusively to defendant ABS-CBN,” the network said.
Revillame, who had hosted the popular noontime show Wowowee until he was fired, sought judicial confirmation from the Quezon City Regional Trial Court for the nullification of his contract with ABS-CBN as well as P11.5 million in damages.
Revillame said he was justified in terminating his contract with ABS-CBN when it suspended him without pay and placed him under probation, as this was provided for under his agreement with the network.
Revillame’s counsel, Atty. Leonard De Vera, welcomed the filing of ABS-CBN’s answer to his client’s suit.
“We can now expect both parties to speed up the process to enable the court to resolve this case with dispatch,” De Vera said in a text message.
ABS-CBN has argued that Revillame violated the terms of his contract with the network.
“Plaintiff Revillame is not the injured party in the instant case since it is he who materially breached his obligations under the Agreement while defendant ABS-CBN fully complied with its obligations,” ABS-CBN said.
ABS-CBN alleged that Revillame committed several violations of the terms of his agreement with the network, including his angry outburst over the video of the hearse bearing the body of the late President Corazon Aquino was broadcast live as a TV inset on the telecast of his noontime show.
Likewise, ABS-CBN cited the May 4, 2010 episode of Wowowee when Revillame demanded that the network ax entertainment show host Jobert Sucaldito.
ABS-CBN said that in so doing, Revillame violated the terms of the agreement which requires him to “conduct himself with due regard, not bring himself to public disrepute and perform any act which may jeopardize the success of Wowowee or defendant ABS-CBN and be adverse to its interests.”
The network also accused Revillame of taking an unauthorized leave of absence and of refusing to perform his obligation as a talent, as required under his contract.
In its 139-page pleading filed before Quezon City RTC Branch 84 under Judge Luisito Cortez, the network asked the court to compel Revillame to fulfill his obligations under the agreement and bar other networks from engaging his services.
Furthermore, ABS-CBN said the court should also prohibit Revillame to “appear or use his name, voice or likeness, directly or indirectly for promoting any product or service in print, radio or television or any form of advertisements.”