THE Department of Justice acquitted Wowowee host Willie Revillame in the 2006 Ultra stampede that killed 74 people, mainly fans of the popular noontime TV game show.
In a seven-page resolution, Justice Secretary Raul M. Gonzalez gave credence to Revillame’s petition for review and cleared him of charges of reckless imprudence resulting to multiple homicide and physical injuries.
The secretary gave weight to the defense of Revillame that as a TV host it was his job to invite the people to attend the anniversary of Wowowee. The stampede is no longer his fault, he said.
Gonzalez pointed out that for reckless-imprudence charge under Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code to stick it must be shown that there was a clear act that would cause the death of the victims.
He said it could not be proven that the invitation of Revillame for fans to attend the show is the “proximate” cause of the deaths during the crush to enter the Ultra stadium. Thus, it is not proper to make Revillame liable.
“ . . . not by any stretch of the imagination can the act of Revillame, by itself, naturally and adequately lead to the stampede,” Gonzalez said.
A panel of DOJ prosecutors had recommended that criminal charges be filed before the Pasig Regional Trial Court against 17 persons in connection with the stampede. Twelve of them are officials of ABS-CBN, including Charo Santos-Concio; Maria Socorro Vidanes, senior vice-president for television production; Marilou Almaden, executive producer; Cipriano Luspo, assistant vice-president and head of security of ABS-CBN.
Gonzalez maintained that it was only Revillame that must be absolved and that the case against the other accused must continue.
Also charged were Moly Stewart, the show’s executive producer and manager; Harold James Nueva, associate producer for sets and technical; Norberto Vidanes, director; Rey Cayabyab, assistant location manager and security coordinator; Francisco Rivera, ABS-CBN location manager; Mel Feliciano, assistant director; and Jean Owen Garcia, floor director and several others.
Also ordered to undergo further investigation were former Mayor Vicente Eusebio of Pasig, former Pasig police chief Supt. Raul Medina, Senior Insp. Henry Asuela and Insp. Khaddafy Bitor. | 
