The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) might use the video from the video-sharing site YouTube as an additional evidence to the administrative case filed against ABS-CBN with regards to the alleged anomaly in the "Wilyonaryo" segment of Wowowee.
In the said video titled "Kita Mo?," Wowowee hostWillie Revillame is seen practicing pulling a film strip from one of the wheels. On the first try, the wheel showed a bold black line while on the second pull, it displayed a different figure.
Atty. Victor Layda, legal representative of DTI-National Capital Region Area 3, explained to GMA News that there's a possibility to use the said YouTube video to support the allegations agaisnt "Wilyonaryo."
Layda said, "Without prejudice again to avail of any subsequent or further evidence that we get. But... It depends also on the answer of ABS-CBN. But as of now, I can confidently say that the former complaint is supported it."
The DTI has released its formal charge against ABS-CBN network with regard to the controversial "Wilyonaryo" segment of Wowowee last August 20.
Based on the complaint received by the DTI, the partuclar segment of "Wilyonaryo" showed that upon pulling the film strip, two numbers appeared from the violet wheel.
Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said, "Lumalabas na mukhang merong probable cause na 'yong August 20 incident ay nag-violate ng Consumer Act."
According to DTI's formal charge, "The Wilyonaryo's game mechanics and corresponding material and equipment utilized in the show, indicate respondent's [ABS-CBN] violation of the said standards of fairness, impartiality, and evenhandedness.
"The following circumstances... have established a condition that grants the respondent [ABS-CBN] undue advantage over the game-show contestants, clothing the entire game-show process with a mantle of unfairness and impartiality [sic]."
It also stated that, "Only a representative of ABS-CBN was present during the seeding procedure and the non-winning wheels were not uncovered at the end of the show. Again, this allows an opportunity or possibility for manipulation on the part of the 'Wilyonaryo' host and/or organizers."
ABS-CBN was given until next week to answer the allegations.
The DTI assured that they would continue its investigation, even though Wowowee has already replaced its "Wilyonaryo" segment. They might also summon its host, Willie Revillame, and the contestant named Rowena Mitre, if necessary.
DTI Assistant Secretary Angel Pelayo reiterated, "The formal charge pertains to the past episode of 'Wilyonaryo' so this is regardless of the continuance or discontinuance of the segment, the proceedings will continue."
Meanwhile, ABS-CBN said through a statement released earlier that the Kapinasanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) has cleared Wowowee over the "Wilyonaryo" scam.
KBP is one of the members of the fact-finding panel organized by the DTI, but they never signed the findings of the fact-finding group. KBP explained that it conducted its own investigation and found that there was no cheating involved in the particular incident.
KBP's legal counsel, Atty. Rudolph Jularbal, even said that their Standards Authority Committee found that there was no cheating after investigating the equipment used in the game and interviewing Wowowee's production staff.