- Mark Lapid favors ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.
- Mark Lapid hopes ABS-CBN and President Duterte will patch things up.
Mark Lapid has joined the list of stars who openly support ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.
In an interview with Pep.ph, Lapid shared his take on the franchise renewal woes currently facing ABS-CBN.
According to him, it’s a personal issue between President Rodrigo Duterte and ABS-CBN and he hopes that they can talk and settle things between themselves.
“We’re hoping. It’s a personal issue. Wala namang technicalities or anything.
“So, we’re hoping na the two groups, na sina Presidente at ang ABS-CBN, magkaupuan minsan, magkalinawan po. Ano ba talaga? Baka puwedeng pag-usapan, ayusin na lang. Kasi, sa kanila lang naman ang usapan, “ he said.
He also added that he supports ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal 100% and as well as other networks who seek franchise renewal.
“Yes! Definitely yes, 100 percent, not only for ABS-CBN, all the networks na nandiyan.Trabaho po iyan, e. Industriya. Kahit po ire-renew ang Regal, papabor po ako riyan. Di ba? It’s an industry na kailangang tulungan.
“Hindi dahil nasa ABS-CBN ka, pabor ka sa ABS-CBN. Hindi dahil nasa GMA ka or sa TV ka or sa ibang network… dapat para sa lahat,” Lapid added.
More than anything, Lapid said the main concern will be the jobs that will be if the media giant won’t be able to secure their franchise extension.
“Ang concern lang naman namin, if it’s going down the line, ang mga mawawalan ng trabaho, at isa na po ako roon.
“Isa na ako roon sa mawawalan,” Lapid continued.
Lapid joined FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano in 2017 and was part of the Kapamilya teleserye until March 2019 when he had to exit due to his candidacy.
Currently, Lapid is part of the afternoon teleserye Sandugo which stars Ejay Falcon and Aljur Abrenica.
Meanwhile, other artist who’s campaigning for the renewal of ABS-CBN franchise include Lorna Tolentino, Baron Geisler, Nico Antonio, Nonong Ballilan, Piolo Pascual, Coco Martin, Lea Salonga, Pinky Amador, Jaime Fabregas, John Arcilla, Bituin Escalante, Angel Aquino, Ricky Lee, Rody Vera, Lav Diaz, Joel Lamangan, and Mae Paner.
Aside from the artists, several lawmakers have also come out with their support for the Kapamilya network’s franchise renewal.
Laguna Rep. Sol Aragones, Parañaque Rep. Joy Tambunting, Pangasinan Rep. Baby Arenas, Nueva Ecija Rep. Micaela Vialogo, Lipa City Rep. Vilma Santos, Surigao Rep. Johnny Pimentel, Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales, and Oriental Mindoro Rep. Doy Leachon have all filed their respective bills seeking the renewal of ABS-CBN franchise.
Just recently, Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas also shared his support and hope for a better outcome of the Kapamilya network’s franchise renewal.
In the Senate, Sen. Pres. Tito Sotto, Senators Ralph Recto and Bong Revilla all shared support for the renewal bill.
ABS-CBN’s franchise is due to expire in March 2020. It has been stalled in Congress since 2016 due to President Duterte’s public opposition about it.