Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, who was one of the lawmakers who voted to deny ABS-CBN’s application for a franchise renewal, claimed that the government is taking steps to ensure that the 11,000 employees affected by the denial would not go jobless amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an online press forum, Garin raised her concern towards the untimely loss of jobs of the ABS-CBN employees and guaranteed that this matter has already been taken care of.
“On the issue of the 11,000 workers, we were very clear in stating and we were assured by the government that there are steps are being undertaken so that we are one with them, that nobody will lose [their] job,” she said.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Undersecretary Ana Dione also supported this claim stating that the agency is ready to provide appropriate assistance to the employees.
In a media press conference, she said, “We are ready to extend the necessary assistance to all employees who may be displaced as a result of the congressional action.
“The verdict may be unfortunate for that would mean imminent job loss for a significant number of employees of one of the largest media enterprises in the country. But the workers are not helpless,” she added.
However, the assurance did not sit well with some of Kapamilyas. Actress Maris Racal, who deemed the help as somewhat too late since the dilemma has already affected them, said, “I hope she knows we already lost a soul.” Maris was referring to an employee who suffered from a heart attack after being informed she was being retrenched.
https://twitter.com/MissMarisRacal/status/1286591257062580227?s=20
Comedian Ogie Diaz also reacted and said that the government is just trying to rectify their actions.
He said, “Sorry ha? Anlakas maka-tanga ng statement na ito. Mema lang?”
Sorry ha? Anlakas maka-tanga ng statement na ito. Mema lang? https://t.co/FaTKFJuxrs
— ogie diaz (@ogiediaz) July 24, 2020
Anne Curtis, Liza Soberano, Kevin Manalo, and Jeff Canoy also shared their sentiments.
https://twitter.com/annecurtissmith/status/1286809410531020800
https://twitter.com/lizasoberano/status/1286652159975518210
Really? Ano pong work ito? Our emails are open. Waiting for your move DOLE. https://t.co/hEyG6UOSdu
— Kevin Manalo (@kevinmanalo_) July 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/jeffcanoy/status/1286626468382961669
Other Kapamilya personalities react.
There are 7 million Filipinos who lost their jobs because of Covid. Saan naman po ilalagay ng pamahalaan ang 11,017 workers ng ABSCBN?
ABSCBN workers didn’t lose their jobs because of covid. Congress took it away from them by shutting the network down. https://t.co/FyDHaWcQDW
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) July 24, 2020
Puro PAST TENSE itong pinagsasasabi ni Janette Garin. ANYARE?? Lies, lies, lies. Puro mga makasarili.
Heal aswang program!! #IbalikAngABSCBN#LabanKapamilya https://t.co/YiBBMvFSTw
— Pia Magalona ⁷ (@piamagalona) July 24, 2020
Nobody will lose job? Ito na nga, nag-retrench na. Nawalan na ng trabaho yung marami naming kasamahan. Panong nobody will lose job? https://t.co/OCYCeM8OfQ
— Shie Reyes (@shiereyes) July 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/biancadava/status/1286663915552686081
Netizens slammed Rep. Garin’s statement and tagged the government’s help as a measly compensation since no rationalization can bring back the pain of losing a job during this difficult time.
https://twitter.com/joesarte823/status/1286593081534373888
Furthermore, isn't she part of the govt too? Bakit di muna nya sinugurado kung paanong mapapanatiling employed ung 11,000 employees kapag naipasara ang @ABSCBN bago bomoto? Obvious naman na may mawawalan ng trabaho kung di mare renew ang kontrata.
— SYL (@jaceygurrl) July 24, 2020
Did she just admit that Duterte was a party to ABSCBN franchise rejection by giving empty and dubious promise just to get the 70 stupid Tongressmen to deny the renewal?
— JonDel (@JonDel86) July 24, 2020
Anong assured by the govt #LyingToYourTeeth PAANO aber? Sinara nyo yun kumpanya, may empleyado pa rin sarado na ganon??
At past tense na hoy— PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY LOST THEIR JOBS. Magpaliwanag ka sa pulis! #serpent70 #ABSCBNFranchiseRenewal
— MrsHan (@MoxieLi) July 24, 2020
You know very well what is happening around the world. That assurance? Is just a word of mouth! No rationalization will bring back the pain of losing a job during this challenging and difficult time. Wake up!
— Minette Casipit (@minette_casipit) July 24, 2020
After Congress denied the network’s appeal for a new franchise the ABS-CBN company was forced to lay off workers effective August 31, leaving its long-time employees out of work.
According to ABS-CBN, the retrenchment program will be the last resort to ensure that the remaining workers will still be employed and that the company can continue its operations in other avenues.
