Wowowee host Willie Revillame explained to the public that he does not own the alleged smuggled red Ferrari, as claimed by the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG).
On Wednesday, June 9, PASG Undersecretary Antonio Villar appeared on television news reporting that Willie supposedly owns a suspected "hot car," which was later identified as a red Ferrari F430.
Usec. Villar added that upon receiving the information, Willie was immediately put under their surveillance. PASG chief also divulged that based on their investigation, Willie has been driving around the Metro using the 2006 Ferrari for almost a month already.
Aside from this, Usec. Villar claimed that the comedian-TV host paid only P1 million as a tax payment for the P23-million to P25-million-worth luxury car. He also added, "More or less mga P12-million dapat ang bayaran niya dito."
Moreover, although the documents obtained by the PASG indicated a different name with regards to its ownership, Usec. Villar is still convinced that Willie is undoubtedly the true owner of the alleged smuggled car.
He pointed out, "It's a known fact. Halos lahat, libo-libo na nga ang nakakakita na dala-dala niya ‘tong kotseng ‘to."
On the other hand, Willie's lawyer, Atty. Marie Pajatin, immediately defended him in GMA News, "He does not own a Ferrari. Wala siyang Ferrari... kung may ginagamit siyang Ferrari, I'm sure it's not his."
This corroborated the initial claims made by Willie's personal assistant, Katia Montenegro, to PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal). She said, "Hindi kay Willie yun. Ibinebenta pa lang sa kanya yung kotse. I think mga ilang linggo o isang buwan na inaalok sa kanya ng isang ahente, pero hindi pa niya binibili."
WILLIE EXPLAINS. Last Friday, January 11, Willie took the opportunity to explain his side in public during his noontime show on ABS-CBN, Wowowee.
He said: "Hindi sa akin nakapangalan ang kotseng 'yan, wala po sa akin 'yan, kaya wala akong kinalaman diyan. Huwag n'yo akong habulin. Kung anuman po ang bilhin ko sa buhay ko, pinaghihirapan ko po at hindi ko po ninanakaw ang perang 'yan. Wala po akong tinatawagan sa PASG. PASG ba 'yan, dahil hindi naman po sa akin ang sasakyang 'yan.
"May mga nag-aalok sa akin ng sasakyan dito everyday dahil hilig ko ang kotse. Kung ano ang gusto ninyong ibigay sa aking kaso, nandiyan po ang abogado ko, nakahanda kami."
The following day, January 12, Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief Assistant Secretary Reynaldo Berroya denied reports saying that the red Ferrari was registered in Willie's name.
LIVE INTERVIEW. For the second time, Willie appeared in public to explain how he got connected with the alleged "hot car" through his live interview with The Buzz yesterday, January 13.
"Alam mo ang kuwento niyan, ganito 'yan, e..." Willie started. "Alam dito sa [ABS-CBN] na napakahilig ko sa kotse. Noon pang binata pa ako, noong drummer pa lang ako, e, may kotse na akong nakaporma. Hilig ko 'yan, kumbaga 'yan ay nagbibigay sa akin ng inspirasyon sa araw-araw kung kaya kong bilhin.
"Marami hong ahenteng nagpupunta dito sa akin, nagbebenta ng Ferrari. At nakikita nila 'yan, at alam ng mga guwardiya dito 'yan. Maraming kotse na dinadala dito, hindi lang 'yan. So kung ano yung kaya ko, pupuwede."
