Broadcast journalist and radio commentator Julius Babao recently schooled bashers of ABS-CBN who wished it to be closed permanently.
Through his Twitter account on June 17, the 50-year-old newscaster labeled those who wish ill upon the network and its thousands of employees as ‘downright evil.’
He said, “In this time of pandemic where many are losing their jobs. To wish it upon ANY of the 11,000 employees & talents of ABS-CBN or ANY person is downright evil.”
In this time of pandemic where many are losing their jobs. To wish it upon ANY of the 11,000 employees & talents of ABS-CBN or ANY person is downright evil. #labankapamilya
— julius babao (@juLiusbabao) June 17, 2020
According to Babao, ABS-CBN, despite its imperfections, has done so many things for the country that it does not deserve the harassment it’s receiving from its critics and bashers.
“Mga Kapamilya… You know deep in your hearts this company has done so much for this country. ABS-CBN may not be a perfect company but they definitely do not deserve this much persecution,” he posted.
Furthermore, he encouraged the supporters of the media giant to take a stand and speak up so they’ll be heard.
“Kapamilya, let your voices be heard. Fight for ABS-CBN,” he added.
Mga Kapamilya.. You know deep in your hearts this company has done so much for this country. ABS-CBN may not be a perfect company but they definitely do not deserve this much persecution. Kapamilya, let your voices be heard. Fight for ABS-CBN.❤️💚💙 #IbalikAngABSCBN
— julius babao (@juLiusbabao) June 17, 2020
Moreover, the Bandila news anchor expressed his gratitude to those who showed their support for the shuttered network.
One netizen wrote, “I hate ABS-CBN. It has long history of abuse among its contractual and project-based employees. Even its practices towards its rival is borderline unethical. But a company’s malpractices can be fixed in right venue. Not renewing franchise and bullying by the state is unacceptable.”
To which Babao replied with, “Thank you for expressing your opinion. A mature & decent discussion is always good.”
🙏🏻 thank you for expressing your opinion. @dyinoy a mature & decent discussion is always good. https://t.co/3saI7cg0db
— julius babao (@juLiusbabao) June 17, 2020
In response to a commenter who applauded his bravery to stand with ABS-CBN, Babao responded, “Always stand up to what is right. Tell your kids about it. We have gone too far to go back.”
Always stand up to what is right. Tell your kids about it. We have gone too far to go back. #neveragain https://t.co/HFfB20Iye4
— julius babao (@juLiusbabao) June 17, 2020
Moreover, Babao agreed with a Twitter user who claimed that the broadcasting network deserves due process, adding, “…and fairness.”
…and fairness. https://t.co/1LoW9jaX8f
— julius babao (@juLiusbabao) June 17, 2020
He also agreed with a netizen who commented that all artists of ABS-CBN should fight for it and use their voices.
He replied, “I agree. There is no better time to speak than now. Let our voices be heard.”
I agree. There is no better time to speak than now. Let our voices be heard. #labankpamilya #IbalikAngABCBN https://t.co/SVlrs1Jmdj
— julius babao (@juLiusbabao) June 17, 2020
Aside from the network’s supporters, Babao also expressed his gratitude to ABS-CBN’s former general manager, Attorney Augusto “Jake” Almeda-Lopez, for defending the home of more than 11,000 employees.
Almeda attended the 7th hearing of the lower chamber on the franchise renewal of the giant network which happened on Wednesday, June 17.
Babao posted, “Look not into the darkness that pulls our country down but focus on the light that will uplift us all.
“Thank you Attorney Jake Almeda ( not Almendras ) Lopez for being a beacon of light to all of us in these troubling times,” his message ended.
Look not into the darkness that pulls our country down but focus on the light that will uplift us all. Thank you Attorney Jake Almeda ( not Almendras ) Lopez for being a beacon of light to all of us in these troubling times. ❤️💚💙 #labankapamilya #notoabscbnshutdown #kapamilya pic.twitter.com/hddJE3P3ID
— julius babao (@juLiusbabao) June 17, 2020
Moreover, Babao took a swipe at the congressmen who are not backing down searching for loopholes that can be used against the media giant, thus delaying the grant for a new franchise, and worse, making it impossible for the network to gain what it lost.
“Kaya nga sila mga representatives ay dahil sila ang inyong mga tao sa Kongreso. Nagsasalita sila para sa inyo. Proud ba kayo sa kanila?” he stated.
Kaya nga sila mga representatives ay dahil sila ang inyong mga tao sa Kongreso. Nagsasalita sila para sa inyo. Proud ba kayo sa kanila? #IbalikAngABCBN #LabanKapamilya
— julius babao (@juLiusbabao) June 17, 2020
Prior to this, the news anchor slammed the critics of the network who kept raising the same issues that have already been discussed and clarified as agencies such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), Department Of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and Department of Justice (DOJ) have already spoken up and attested that ABS-CBN did not violate any law.
Moreover, Babao was among the Kapamilyas who showed his outrage over NTC’s decision to shut down the network when it previously announced that it would issue a provisional authority to allow ABS-CBN and its subsidiaries to continue to operate while Congress continued to deliberate on the renewal of its franchise.
On May 5, ABS-CBN Network stopped its broadcast operations following the National Telecommunications Commission’s cease-and-desist order.
Its congressional franchise expired on May 4, 2020.
The 8th hearing tackling the pending franchise renewal bills of the network is set to happen on Tuesday, June 23.
