DOJ absolves Revillame from ULTRA stampede

MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Alberto Agra affirmed Friday a previous justice department decision absolving Willie Revillame from the ULTRA stampede.

Agra said he found no reason to reverse the decision since Revillame had no direct or indirect participation in the stampede being the show's host.

He said there there was no "proximate cause" in being the program's host.

Part of the Agra resolution read: "This resolves the motion for reconsideration filed by private complainants of this department's resolution promulgated on Aug. 22, 2007 (resolution no. 575 series of 2007) in the above-captioned case, dismissing the complaint against respondent Wilfredo Revillame and directing the chief state prosecutor to move for his exclusion from the informations for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and serious physical injuries."

"After a careful examination of the motion and the records of this case, we find no cogent reason to alter or modify, much less reverse, our findings. The grounds raised in the instant motion were already duly considered and passed upon in the resolution sought to be reconsidered," it added.

The decision is final since it is already in response to a motion for reconsideration filed by relatives of the victims.

The victims, however, can still file before the Court of Appeals as another option.

Revillame, meanwhile, thanked the DOJ for dismissing the case, according to Revillame's lawyer, Atty. Dexter Lacuanan.

The February 4, 2006 stampede occurred after hundreds of families pushed their way into the ULTRA stadium to attend the first anniversary of Revillame's show "Wowowee." A total of 71 people were killed and 300 more were injured during the stampede.

Charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and physical injuries were filed against Revillame, which was later dismissed.