Netizens were abuzz Saturday January 30, 2016 when #ABSCBNnomore hashtag tops Twitter trends in the Philippines.
At about 5:30 PM Saturday the hashtag reached #2 spot in the list of Twitter trending topics in the Philippines with 130 thousand tweets.
Looking at the trending topic, most of the netizens who tweeted the hashtag said they are supporting the calls of INC officials to boycott ABS-CBN programs for their alleged bias reporting.
The ABS-CBN boycott issue erupted from a post by a certain Israel Nono Ponce on his Facebook account urging fellow INC members not to watch ABS-CBN programs. In his post he said that the Templo Central of Iglesia has issued a “tagubilin” to boycott ABS-CBN show because of their false reporting regarding the INC crisis.
Over Twitter, user @katwitz started the hashtag saying that it will be their official hashtag for the day.
https://twitter.com/katwitz/status/693177488084631553
It was quickly picked-up by INC-member netizens who tweeted their sentiments on ABS-CBN’s alleged biases with others even changing the name of the network to ABias-CBN.
Kung hindi sana sila bias magbalita hindi sila magkakaganito , kaawa awa kayo abias cbn , mga nilason ang inyong isipan #ABSCBNnomore
— carlj sw (@carjnovis) January 30, 2016
https://twitter.com/suzannerodrigo/status/693324431314124800
Brethren all over the world let's use this hashtag #ABSCBNnomore . Thank you.
— Mercy Kay (@kayte1986) January 30, 2016
While the hashtag was deemed to be purely INC matter against ABS-CBN, some netizens can’t help but relate it to the network war between GMA Network and ABS-CBN especially that INC officials have already denied ordering the boycott.
READ: Iglesia ni Cristo ordered boycott on news organization?
Some netizens tweeted how GMA News is far better than ABS-CBN and some other GMA Network related items.
https://twitter.com/fibasc03792/status/693441795259109377
https://twitter.com/TongHaruharu/status/693409011450773504
We only trust @gmanews Proud to be kapuso here. #ABSCBNnomore
— Dabarkads Sophie (@AguamSophie) January 30, 2016
ALDUBNATION HOPE 4 SUPPORT IN R BATTLE.WE WILL NOT ALLOW d ABS CBN 2 DISGRACE R FAITH. #ABSCBNnomore #MrAndMrsSotto https://t.co/RcMaCykeFQ
— letletcapuyan (@Lettcutie) January 30, 2016
https://twitter.com/aldenrichads02/status/693445979521978368
GMA is the best example of fair and accurate news compare to ABS CBN thats why i dont watch their news kasi basura #ABSCBNnomore
— Renan Del Rosario (@RenanDelRosari1) January 30, 2016
https://twitter.com/TristanMReid/status/693400163113512960
https://twitter.com/julius22_cruz/status/693395905198821376
https://twitter.com/chridol/status/693394461288693760
https://twitter.com/PatamaPost/status/693369092066009088
Meanwhile, INC spokesperson Edwil Zabala clarified there’s no written directive to its members to boycott ABS-CBN and other news organizations. “Walang circular na binasa sa pagsamba ukol sa issue na ’yan.”
While it started with INC, it is evident that some fans of ABS-CBN’s rival GMA Network has used the topic to highlight their network war. ABS-CBN has yet to release a statement on this issue.