Fil-Ams to File $500M Suit Against ABC
ABS-CBN, News Report 
, Regina Reyes, Posted: Oct 12, 2007
Editor's Note: One of the biggest Filipino American organizations is planning to file a class-action lawsuit against ABC over a racial slur in a "Desperate Housewives" episode, according to ABS-CBN News in Manila. ABC had earlier issued its official apology to the Filipino community through the TV report of Regina Reyes, ABS-CBN'S North America News Bureau chief.
MANILA, Philippines -- A U.S.-based national organization of Filipinos and Filipino Americans is preparing a $500M class suit against ABC Network in the United States in response to a slur against Philippine medical schools and Filipino medical professionals, aired in the premiere episode of the fourth season of "Desperate Housewives."
In that episode, the character Susan Mayer (played by actress Teri Hatcher) questioned the credentials of her gynecologist over a disputed diagnosis. Mayer said she wanted to check the doctor's diploma to make sure it didn't come "from some med school in the Philippines."
The class suit is being filed by the Northern California chapter of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA).
Two weeks since the controversial episode aired on television, Filipino Americans have persisted in their protests, saying the network's apology sent to ABS-CBN's North America News Bureau by email is not enough.
Sending a Message
One Filipino lawyer said the class suit is needed to protect the reputation and credibility of Filipino doctors.
“The reputations of doctors are affected, their income is affected and this is a major damage inflicted not only on them but also the universities in the Philippines," said lawyer Ted Laguatan.
According to opthalmologist Tony Villanueva, the slur affects not just Filipinos but all ethnic groups.
“Whatever ethnic group you belong to, what she said is not right, because we are here as equals and we’re just as smart as anybody else.”
For others, the class suit is about telling TV producers that ethnic slurs can have serious consequences.
“What’s important here is that this is sending a message to the other producers, the other stations that if you do this, this is what’s going to happen," said lawyer Rodel Rodis.
Diversity in ABC
As the threat of class action and protests continue, ABC management is still in talks with NaFFAA Communications Director Jon Melegrito.
Melegrito is in talks chiefly with Robert Mendez, senior vice-president for Diversity of the Disney-ABC Television Group, as well as other members of the Diversity Group.
According to Melegrito, Mendez proposed a meeting between the Diversity Group and representatives of the Filipino American community, to be held either in Los Angeles or New York.
Melegrito added that ABC promised to take more concrete action regarding the grievances of the Filipino American community, including creating more job opportunities in ABC for Filipino Americans.
In an interview with "Balitang America", aired globally over The Filipino Channel TV of ABS-CBN International, Melegrito explained that in offering solutions to the dispute, ABC is not trying to dampen protest actions.
"[Mendez] also realizes that there's still a part of our community who are still hurt and are outraged and they certainly have the right to express their own outrage in their own way that they feel appropriate.
"I respect the actions that the other parts of the community are taking but what we are doing here is to take a longer view and put this in the proper perspective, so that there is a long -lasting benefit to our community."
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User Comments
ryan rabago on Oct 21, 2007 at 02:28:15 said:
I hate people who comments w/o understanding the issue 1st.Filipino doctors take 4 yrs of premed--4yrs of med proper--1yr of internship 3-5yrs of residency of the specialty of their choice and 3more years of fellowship. You take more than a yr of -f you want to train in the US 3 test, plus one more if you want to practice there.each test cost at least a 40,000 each and despite that---that show just stated that no matter how hard you work---it doesen't matter your just filipno--pardon me if i am insulted. Pardon me if fellow filipinos think doctors are over reacting---pardon me if were "cry babies".At least please know the real issue here before putting your so called logic at play. "Over reacting"? Tell that to the judge when the suit ifs filled....
who? on Oct 18, 2007 at 13:34:52 said:
They think filipinos not smart huh? lol.. Filipino doctors and Lawyers will prove that...
noypisany on Oct 17, 2007 at 09:12:45 said:
I would like to agree a lot with JOHN here. His comment is exactly where I stand! As a matter of fact i made a video on You Tube on this regard on how should filipino react on the issue. We should rise over and above this nonsense, petty line in a script in an episode in one tv cheap sitcom. There is always a better way to approach and handle this issue with dignity and decency. Do not let this activist and leftists use you to rally your mistaken-notion of patriotism ! Ako pinoy naman pero hindi naman ako na-offend doon sa comment na yun kasi I took it in its context. I dont watch that tv program i just saw the clips in the news but it was so petty for PhilDoctors to react over and out of proportion! Take the script constructively and laugh it out loud. Totoo naman na merong mga Med School sa pinas na piso tumpok ang diploma eh.. ano masakit doon? Baguhin na lang natin itong ganitong sistema kaya dapat mga duktor galingan nyo at ang mindset nyo dapat eh American Standard hindi ka-level ng telenovela ang quality ng care nyo sa pasyente!! I hated my doctor he just ripped me off hindi nya alam ang ginagawa nya sa akin- He is a Pinoy doctor in america!
Idea Man on Oct 16, 2007 at 09:11:37 said:
This is just more proof that what we need in this country is censorship. No media should be released to the public without being screened by everyone who might be offended by it. Only by deleting everything even potentially upsetting will we make TV safe for the masses.
Humorless whiners unite!
John on Oct 16, 2007 at 07:25:58 said:
Filipino doctors are bunch of cry babies. Think twice guys, you are in America and not in the PHilippines. That\'s freedom of speech working. Kung mali man sila, patunayan nyo sa States na matatalino at magagaling kayong doctors! Simple as that.
Masyado kayong balat-sibuyas! Palibhasa kayong mga graduate ng UST & UP grabe kayo kung maka-discriminate dito sa Pilipinas ng mga professionals na graduate lang sa ibang schools especially kung taga probinsya lang. I myself had been discriminated by these people who graduated from these schools who are now protesting. Ang hirap sa inyo masyado kayong bilib sa sarili nyo at hindi nyo matanggap ang mga comment na yan. Besides hindi lalabas yang comment na yan kung wala talagang Filipino doctors na palpak sa trabaho. Buti pa mga Nurses walang comment na ganyan. It only means they\'re good!
Don\'t take the comment too seriously kasi nakakahiya sa buong mundo na ganyan kababaw ang reaction natin dahil lamang sa cheap show na yan. Palibahasa mahilig kayo manood ng shows about sex, kabit and all the bad values! Like a wife having sex with a gardener. Anong klase yan! Frankly I don\'t watch Desperate Housewives! I find it cheap! Manood nalang kayo ng Ugly Betty matutuwa pa kayo. O kaya Heroes which sets good example. Hindi Desperate Housewives na puro Kalibugan lang!
Ito gawin nyo mga Filipino doctors, ibig sabihin nyan pagbutihan nyo pa work nyo.. it means kulang pa skills nyo sa American standard. Okay lang yan kung nasa pinas lang kayo kasi karamihan ng mga pasyente nyo walang alam. Eh dyan sa America very well educated about health matters ang populace kaya hindi nyo kayang paikutin ang ulo nila sa galing lang ng pag-english o paggamit ng mga medical terms..
advice ko lang is Filipino doctors should strive harder.. Take the criticism constructively! Email me back at choy_ton@yahoo.com para mag-usap tayo ng masinsinan.
Dorian Santiago on Oct 15, 2007 at 20:37:14 said:
Meaghan Edwards said, "ABC apologized. ABC edited the line. People really need to get a life and move on." I am a doctor and the people in the community where I live know I am Filipino. Those who know me well know that I am a damn good doctor, modesty aside. However, what about potential patients who do not yet know me? It is possible that they will refuse to get treatment from me because I am Filipino. This translates to possible loss of income for me and my family. My daughter has also received ridicule from her American classmates at school because she has a Filipino doctor for a father, whose education cannot be relied upon, according to Desperate Housewives' racial slur. Tell me a good way of moving on and I will. Otherwise, just shut up as you obviously do not know what you are talking about.
d k on Oct 15, 2007 at 12:15:11 said:
carlo's response is unreadable.
and rationally, meaghan's comment is spot on. people need to get over it.
it's a tv show. are people really naive to think that what someone says on tv is what everyone thinks about anything.
abc already apologized. this is yet another tiring example of clogging our legal system with frivolous and overreacting lawsuits that will ultimately get thrown out based on common sense.
joe jalosjos on Oct 15, 2007 at 12:01:20 said:
Carlo chavez, are you good at shiatsu massage?
heather leigh on Oct 15, 2007 at 11:17:37 said:
It shouldn't be American Filipinos that are upset, but those who still live in the Philipines. Amazingly enough, in the US, we have freedom of speech. Strangely enough, we don't have the right to never be offended.
carlo chavez on Oct 14, 2007 at 03:13:24 said:
it only shows na the filipinos are being noticed in u.s. which means they are a threat to the people who have bad personal plans bec they wont accept that the filipino is good in there job. MASSAGE TO THE FILIPINOS IN THE U.S. AND IN THE PHILIPPINES DO NOT STOP UNTIL WE GAVE THEM A LESSON. NOT TO BULLY PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING GOOD IN THERE JOB TO HELP WHO ARE SICK
Meaghan Edwards on Oct 12, 2007 at 22:56:01 said:
ABC apologized.
-->ABC edited the line.
People really need to get a life and move on.