MANILA – The children of the late former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino have accepted the apology of “Wowowee” host Willie Revillame.

"For our family, we take Willie's apology for what it is -- an apology and we accept the apology. Wala po sa kamay namin kung ano ang mangyayari in the future, pero I can speak on behalf of my sisters and my brother, we accept his apology," Kris,
Cory’s youngest daughter, said.

The actress-host made this statement on “SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon” Monday night amid criticisms hounding Revillame. Kris returned to SNN after taking a break from work to take care of her ailing mother, who died on August 1 after fighting colon cancer for more than a year.

Kris confirmed that Revillame talked to her two older sisters –Ballsy and Pinky – over the phone to apologize and explain his side.

According to Kris, Pinky told Revillame that, notwithstanding his intention, some people probably got offended by the way he ordered the removal of the simultaneous live broadcast of their mother’s funeral  procession from his noontime show last August 3.

But Pinky said she and her siblings understood him, according to Kris. 

"Sorry siya ng sorry kay Pinky. And Pinky said, 'As far as I'm concerned Willie, it's finished. Let's move on. Okay, we accept your apology,’" Kris said.

Revillame repeated his apology on August 9 when he talked to Ballsy.

"Noong nagso- sorry si Willie kay Ate, sinabi ni Ate sa kanya, 'Alam mo Willie, noong time na nagkaroon ng problema ang puso mo…we were in Ate's house, kakakain lang namin ng dinner, naka-on ang TV sa TV Patrol. And niyaya namin ang mom na pumasok na sa kwarto kasi time na para mag-rosaryo."

“And then mom said, ‘Wait, I want to know kung kumusta na si Willie.' And then Ate told Willie, 'Alam mo, mom really loved you and she really appreciated the fact na ang bait mo sa mga anak ni Kris.'"

“And sinabi ni Ate sa kanya na, 'Willie as far as our family is concerned, nag-sorry ka na. Tinatanggap namin ang apology mo,’" Kris said.

Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III also told Senate reporters that he was willing to accept Revillame’s explanation.

“I take what he said at face value, na wala siyang insultong gustong iparating sa aming pamilya,” he said. 

He added: “Pero I understand he talked to our eldest sister, Ballsy, yesterday. At gusto ko lang tingnan, siguro nga naman hindi appropriate na may solemn occasion na parang kino-cover [tapos], on the other hand, meron kang show devoted to eliciting laugher and fun,"

Due to the controversy, Revillame went on an indefinite leave from "Wowowee." 

Sanctions

Despite the Aquino siblings’ acceptance of Revillame’s apology, the Kapisanan ng Broadkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) will still look into the issue.

“It’s a mitigating factor on the fact that the family was not offended… kahit may mitigating factor, it does not mean the complaint is not valid… depende kung ang complaint that was filed ay nagme-merit ng sanctions,” said KBP vice chairman Ruperto Nicdao Jr. in a radio dzMM interview.

The KBP, which ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. is part of, received complaints from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) and Jerry Yap, president of Alyansa ng Filipinong Mamamahayag  (AFIMA), with regard to Revillame’s “unethical conduct.”

On Monday, Diana Gozum, chairwoman of KBP standards authority (SA), asked the ABS-CBN management to answer the complaints within five days. The letter is addressed to Bong Osorio, head of ABS-CBN corporate communications.

Nicdao said SA will decide whether to file a case against Revillame and ABS-CBN once it receives their replies.

Based on KBP rules and regulations, for first offense, the organization can slap a monetary fine and reprimand on both Revillame and ABS-CBN.

“This might be a grave offense kung saka-sakali. Kung light offense, P5,000 [ang multa], kapag serious, P10,000, at kapag grave P30,000 at reprimand,” he said.

For second offense, the group can slap a monetary fine on ABS-CBN and Revillame and order their suspension.

“So, ang hindi ko sigurado ngayon, if there was a previous violation of the same sort kay Willie at ABS-CBN that will merit a suspension,” he said. -abs-cbnNEWS.com