Vice President Leni Robredo expressed her dismay over the 70 lawmakers who voted in favor of the denial of ABS-CBN’s franchise application. She explained that the shutdown will greatly affect the Kapamilya employees whose lives depend on their jobs with the network.
She also explained that ABS-CBN’s closure will rid the people from far-flung areas a source of entertainment and a reliable source of information through the network’s news programs.
Robredo aired these concerns through her radio show on DZXL RMN.
“Papaano na kaya ngayon na wala nang makakarating sa kanila? Hindi man lang ito naisip noong mga bumoto laban doon sa pag-eextend ng prangkisa. Parang kung galit sila sa may-ari, hindi nila naisip iyong mga tao na nasa malalayong lugar, na ito lang iyong source, parang ito lang iyong koneksyon nila to the outside world,” the VP said.
According to her, the people who live in provinces or far-flung areas will lose their ‘connection’ to the outside world as they will lose their source of news and information through TV Patrol Programs. Their isolated locations makes it hard for the people who live in provinces to have an internet connection that’s why it’s hard for people to connect to the world and know the news and current affairs.
It was recently reported that there were already over 12 regional TV Patrol programs that bid goodbye to their news programs and have already aired their finals newscasts. The following closures were after ABS-CBN failed to secure a fresh 25-year franchise for the network. ‘Grand Halad sa Kapamilya’, a public service program of ABS-CBN, also stopped its operations due to the network’s closure.
Robredo recently paid tribute to ABS-CBN’s regional stations as it was announced that the network’s stations have officially signed off.
She posted it on her Facebook account where she thanked the ABS-CBN Regional Network Group, specifically its local office in Bicol.
The VP said that she was particularly sad as she herself is a Bicolano.
https://www.facebook.com/LionhearTV/posts/3654405691245158
“ABS-CBN Bicol has been a big part of our homes and our lives for many years. I am sure it’s the same thing for many other Bicolanos like me,” she said.
“Today, as they bid us goodbye, we want to thank the ABS-CBN Bicol family for the many years of service to the Bicolanos,” she added.
She even encouraged the public to thank the Regional Networks for the service that they’ve provided.
“As all the other ABS-CBN Regional Networks are closing their operations tonight, I am sure a lot of those living in the provinces are also feeling the same sadness,” she said.
“I hope we take this moment to thank all of the men and women behind the Regional Networks for their service to us all,” she added.
Robredo recently asked the government to consider giving each of the 10 million poorest Filipino families a monthly cash aid worth P5,000 for 4 months so that the people will be able to fend for themselves amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
She also had several more demands from the government which she said would require a P200 billion fund. Although the amount of money was a lot, Robredo said that it will be a small price to pay if the result would be being able to help the people afford their basic needs in life.
“Mayroon nang Listahanan ang DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) para matukoy sila. Kung mabibigyan ng P5,000 kada buwan para sa 4 na buwan ang 10 million poorest families, aabutin ito ng P200 billion. Maliit na halaga ito para mailigtas sila mula sa gutom,” Robredo said.
Leni Robredo is the 14th and incumbent Vice President of the Philippines. Her hometown is in Naga, Camarines Sur, Philippines. She is also an activist who is known for being a strong advocate of the Freedom of Information Act, and a strong supporter of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
She authored many laws in congress such as Full Disclosure Policy Bill (HB 19), authored People Empowerment Bill (HB 4911), Participatory Budget Process Bill (HB 3905), Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Bill (HB 3432), sponsored the Open Door Policy Act (House Bill No. 6286) among others.
Other major legislations that she co-authored are the Anti-Dynasty Bill and the Healthy Beverage Options Act (House Bill 4021).
