DOJ drops charges against Willie Revillame over Ultra tragedy

While Willie Revillame is embattled anew with a controversy where allegedly there is rigging in his Wilyonaryo portion, Willie emerges with a win regarding his case on the Ultra tragedy.

(Updated 1:45 p.m.) The Department of Justice (DOJ) has dropped criminal charges against television host Willie Revillame in connection with the infamous PhilSports stampede which left over 70 game show patrons dead and scores injured.

Radio station dzBB reported that Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez ordered government prosecutors to remove Revillame's name from the list of respondents who should be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and physical injuries.

In a seven-page resolution, Gonzalez said there was insufficient basis to charge

Revillame with the crime.

However, the radio report said Gonzalez backed the charge against 14 other respondents, including ABS-CBN Network officials led by executive vice president Charo Santos Concio.

A five-man DOJ panel of prosecutors led by Senior State Prosecutor Leo Dacera earlier said in an 80-page resolution that the organizers of the "Wowowee" game show failed to implement the necessary measures to protect the thousands of people who trooped to the Philsports Arena hoping to take part in the show's raffle draw.

Revillame, meanwhile, was implicated for encouraging viewers to flock to the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, even though roads leading to the site was already packed with hordes of people.
GMANews.TV