- ABS-CBN stars pushed for immediate action on the network’s franchise renewal.
- Franchise renewal bill of ABS-CBN has been refiled in Congress.
- ABS-CBN franchise is set to expire in March 2020.
With the bill aiming to renew ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation’s still pending at the Congress, several Kapamilya stars have united to push for its immediate enactment.
A number of ABS-CBN actors took to social media to show support for #SaveABSCBNWorkers campaign, to call for Congress’ action for its franchise renewal.
Some of the Kapamilya celebrities who joined the call include comedian Nonong Balilan, Nico Antonio, Baron Geisler, and Lorna Tolentino.
https://www.facebook.com/defendjobPH/photos/a.1660835837335801/2364850850267626/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/defendjobPH/photos/a.1666111513474900/2361374250615286/?type=3&theater
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https://www.facebook.com/defendjobPH/photos/a.1660835837335801/2362946400458071/?type=3&theater
Meanwhile, prior to this latest campaign, almost 1,000 artists and workers of ABS-CBN have already signed a petition urging the House of Representatives to renew the franchise of television giant ABS-CBN last June 14 during the Black Friday protest at the Commission on Human Rights.
Among those who signed were Piolo Pascual, Coco Martin, Lea Salonga, Pinky Amador, Jaime Fabregas, John Arcilla, Butuin Escalante, Angel Aquino, Ricky Lee, Rody Vera, Lav Diaz, Joel Lamangan, Mae Paner and other TV personalities. The petitioners also included writers, music composers, cinematographers, lighting directors, production designers, art directors, producers, staff, and crew from the Kapamilya network and the film industry.
ABS-CBN’s franchise is set to expire in March 2020.
Currently, the bill which seeks to renew the network’s franchise has already refiled in Congress by its original proponent Rep. Micaela Violago of the 2nd District of Nueva Ecija.
ABS-CBN’s franchise has been stalled in Congress since 2016 primarily because of President Rodrigo Duterte’s public pronouncements against its renewal.
Duterte, on several occassions, has threatened to block the ABS-CBN franchise renewal because of alleged swindling and biased reporting against the government.
But two Malacanang officials have already assured that the Kapamilya network’s franchise renewal is already up to the Congress and that the President has no intention of vetoing the bill once it passes the House of Representatives and the Senate.
