Acting Justice Secretary Alberto Agra affirmed the decision of the former Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, clearing television host Willie Revillame of liability in the 2006 University of Life Theater and Recreation Arena (ULTRA) stampede which killed 71 audience-fans of ABS-CBN's popular noontime TV game show “Wowowee.”

Agra denied the motion for reconsideration (MR) filed by private complainants. The order was promulmulgated last June 8.

He also directed the Chief State Prosecutor to exclude Revillame from the information for reckless imprudence, resulting in multiple homicide and serious physical injuries.

“This resolves the motion for reconsideration (MR) 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 information for reckless imprudence, resulting in multiple homicide and serious physical injuries,” Agra said.

Agra said the private complainants may question his decision before the Court of Appeals (CA).

The DoJ decision clearing Revillame In clearing Revillame, Gonzalez said he believed Revillame's explanation in the petition for review that it was his job as TV host to invite people to go to the PhilSports Arena (formerly ULTRA) in Pasig City, the venue of his show's anniversary episode. He said the invitation was pre-recorded and Revillame did not personally know that hundreds of people were queuing up outside the arena before the day of the tragedy.

“Contrary to the conclusions arrived at in the assailed resolution, it is quite manifest that Revillame's act of inviting the public to watch the first anniversary celebration was not the proximate cause of the stampede. The invitation was not, so to speak, the spark that eventually led to the explosion,” said Gonzalez.

He added: "Stampedes and deaths do not normally occur after the gathering of crowds. Obviously, an independent event, separate and distinct from Revillame's invitations, effectively caused the crowd to become restless in the early morning of February 4.”

The stampede occurred hours before the anniversary presentation of “Wowowee” on February 4, 2006. Hundreds of fans scrambled to get into  the arena for a chance to win in its raffle draws and contests. The show was planning to give away big prizes, including P1 million, a house and lot, and a car.