MANILA - "I am asking forgiveness to those who were offended. I hope you understand I had no intention to offend. If there are people who were offended, I apologize. For myself, my intention there was to give respect and make the occasion a solemn one."

This, in a nutshell, was TV host Willie Revillame's response to mounting criticism being leveled against him for ordering the removal of the video of President Corazon Aquino’s cortege, which was being beamed live simultaneously with his noontime show "Wowowee" last Monday.

Willie said most reports coming out in Internet sites took his comments out of context since the funeral cortege was shown at least twice during the airing of "Wowowee."

He said he called up ABS-CBN management immediately during a break to request that the video be removed since he felt that the show's jovial mood was inappropriate for the cortege's somber mood. He said he could no longer contain his emotions after seeing the seond update of the cortege.

"My intention there was not to disrespect the former president but to give respect. Sana lang po ay habang nagluluksa tayo ay hindi kami nakikitang nagsasaya, parang hindi kami nakikidalamhati," he said in an ABS-CBN interview.

"Kung ako'y hindi nila wine-welcome at sa tingin ko ho na ako'y hindi na welcome sa bawa't Pilipino, sa araw-araw na gusto nila makasama, ako po'y aalis na sa programa," he said.

Outrage overflows vs Willie

Revillame's action last Monday drew instant criticism from various quarters particularly in various online forums.

An online petition, which has gathered 9,709 signatures as of 3 p.m. Friday, urged ABS-CBN management to sanction Revillame for his arrogance and for showing a bad example to the youth. It also urged advertisers to stop supporting "Wowowee" until Revillame is removed as host.

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?badwilly

Lourdes Dee Dee Siytangco, spokesperson of the Aquino family, also issued a strongly worded rebuke against Revillame. The statement read: "It is regrettable and a crass attempt to desecrate the memory of the beloved Tita Cory."

The Alyansa ng Filipinong Mamamahayag (Afima) also issued a statement condemning Revillame's action as a "blasphemy of democracy" and urged the Movie and Televisions Review and Classification Board to sanction the TV host.

"He may have the right to demand it, but he never waited until the next commercial break to quietly do it. He expressed his angst against Corazon Aquino funeral being shown side by side his “Wowowee” right before the dumbstruck millions of Filipino viewers around the globe," Afima said.

MTRCB: Willie violated KBP code

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, meanwhile, said it is eyeing possible sanctions against Revillame. It said Revillame's comments falls under MTRCB's jurisdiction and violates Presidential Decree 1986 Section 3c which states that the MTRCB may sanction portions of programs deemed "indecent, contrary to law and or good customs and injurious to the prestige of the Republic of the Philippines or its people."

"It's really a violation of PD 1986 and the [Kapisanan ng Brodkaster ng Pilipinas] Code. He should have had respect. He should gone off air," MTRCB Chairwoman Consoliza Laguardia said.

She said the MTRCB will send a letter to ABS-CBN management next week about its decision on Revillame's case.

Revillame, meanwhile, said he will respect the decision of the government censors. He added, however, that what is important is that he has already explained himself to the Aquino family.

"Kung may pagkakasala ako at kailangan niyo akong ipakulong, e di magpapakulong ako," he said.

"Ang importante ay nakausap ko na ang Aquino family. Natanggap nila na wala akong intensyon na mambastos sa kanila."