Some of the former personalities of ABS-CBN who are now in Congress have joined the list of lawmakers who are rallying behind the broadcast giant’s franchise renewal.
Former ABS-CBN News reporter now Laguna 3rd District Representative Sol Aragones shared with the joint House panel that ABS-CBN has helped millions of victims of calamity, built and repaired hundreds of classrooms, and granted scholarships to those who are in need.
“In my 13 years as an employee in this company, I remember so many stories of hopes and dreams, of chances and choices, of struggles and triumphs, of love and everything, as in memories that will last me a lifetime,” she said.
She also stressed that ABS-CBN didn’t just serve its purpose as a media network, but most importantly, it went beyond this by serving fellow Filipinos.
“But there’s one thing I can never forget. ABS-CBN was not only interested in reporting the news, but it went above and beyond the obligations of a broadcast network by helping those in need.
“No matter how few they may be, no matter how far they may be. Truly, simply, ABS-CBN stood for then as it stands for now in the service of the Filipino.”
Parañaque City 2nd District Rep. Joy Myra Tambunting, who was one of ABS-CBN ‘s founding employees in the 1980s, said the network has influenced her career in many ways.
“My mentors at ABS-CBN taught me a lot about work. The value of work, hard work, respect for work, accuracy, love and respect for coworkers, and most of all, the dignity of work from God. These lessons help me mold me of what I am today.”
Even Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos-Recto, the mother of Kapamilya host-actor Luis Manzano, said that she “shares the sentiments of the talents of ABS-CBN.”
Senator Loren Legarda, who is a former journalist, filed a similar measure through her House Bill 6293. She raised concerns about the network’s 11,000 employees who could be laid off in the next two months, pending on the renewal of the network’s franchise.
“I stand for the corporation’s 11,000 employees composed of the rank and file, talents, professionals, my previous co-workers facing uncertainty with regard to their jobs at the worst possible time amid the pandemic.”
The shutdown, directed by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), comes at a crucial time when Filipinos need essential information about the coronavirus crisis adding ABS-CBN caters to about 11,000 employees, raising questions about job security as a recession is brewing.
Recently, House Deputy Speaker Rep. Rodante Marcoleta went viral for his recycled and unreviewed accusations against ABS-CBN and for saying ABS-CBN “voluntarily closed” operations, seemingly ignoring the cease and desist order from the NTC.
“No one forced ABS-CBN to shut down; the network closed ‘voluntarily.’”
