It was a surprise for Kapamilya fans as ABS-CBN talent Karla Estrada on October 8, filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) under the party-list that helped shut down the Network.
Netizens violently reacted to Estrada’s decision to run under a group that supported ABS-CBN’s downfall.
The hashtag #WithdrawKarlaEstrada trended over twitter.
Estrada, on Friday, the final filing day for COC, listed herself as a nominee of the party-list group Tingog Sinirangan, whose current representative is Yedda Romualdez—one of the lawmakers who partook in the rejection of ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal bid in 2020.
Rep. Yedda is the wife of House Majority Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, who also aided in booting ABS-CBN off the air.
Estrada filed her certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) together with second nominee Jude Acidre and Tingog Sinirangan secretary-general Luningning Lariosa.
Abs-Cbn gave you a job. Revived your career, gave you opportunities and in return you chose to run under a partylist who killed your franchise. The irony Ms. Karla? #WithdrawKarlaEstrada
— 👑💜💗🖤💎 (@lollipopsodapop) October 8, 2021
If you have a fan acc on ig (kung saan sila madalas active) i encourage you to do this#WithdrawKarlaEstrada pic.twitter.com/cH6LsBAtIz
— nikol (@cashrynb) October 8, 2021
2 days ago, our fave's father took his oath to be part of PDP Laban and will seek a government house position. This day, his mother filed a COC under TIMOG PARTYLIST that VOTED NO to ABS-CBN franchise renewal.
This is something I DO NOT and NEVER SUPPORT.
#WithdrawKarlaEstrada— thecodestaff (@thecodestaff) October 8, 2021
Meanwhile, Karla’s son, JC Padilla, explained that his mother was running under the group to change their mindset about ABS-CBN.
The explanation was between Padilla and a netizen who shared a screenshot of the conversation.
Padilla said, “Hi Juana! Yung Tingog kasi party-list sa Tacloban which is hometown ni Mama. It doesn’t mean na sang-ayon siya sa pagsasara ng ABS.
“Isa sa mga motive ni Mama kaya siya pumasok sa party-list, maliban sa hometown niya, dito rin niya ibibigay yung opinyon niya para mag-iba yung pananaw sa ABS. Kaya may pag-asa na sa susunod na renewal, magiging ok ang Tingog sa ABS.”
He then added that his mother would never go against the Network where she worked for so many years, noting that Estrada even sought permission from ABS-CBN executives regarding her decision.
“Isa pa, hindi rin naman kakalabanin ng nanay ko yung ABS dahil sa dami na nilang pinag-samahan at nag-paalam si mama sa mga boss ng ABS at sumang-ayon naman sila dahil din nila magiging tulong si mama sa renewal.”
https://twitter.com/dftjang/status/1446358815893438466
However, some netizens did not buy Padilla’s explanation.
https://twitter.com/jeahtots/status/1446419944015417350
The best way to help the network for its franchise renewal is TO NOT SUPPORT the same people/partylists that killed it. Ano kami tanga? I'm not buying this. #WithdrawKarlaEstrada https://t.co/yUPSh0wQmL
— c (@ohemuhtee) October 8, 2021
ganito kasi yan, if you're in a partylist, most likely susunod ka sa mga napagkakasunduan ng grupo. if majority of the group is against what you believe in, talo ka pa rin. you can help without running for office so please #WithdrawKarlaEstrada https://t.co/siMtC1HFqk
— DEI (@deisasterxo) October 8, 2021
During ABS-CBN’s final verdict, only 11 lawmakers voted to grant a 25-year franchise license while 70 congressmen denied it. The result compelled the Network to go off-air even until now.