- Netizens tweet #ABSCBNIsNotForSale in support of the Kapamilya network.
- Duterte tells ABS-CBN to just sell the company.
Netizens has again showed the power of social media.
In their latest show of force, netizens supportive of ABS-CBN and its franchise renewal made another statement by trending the hashtag #ABSCBNIsNotForSale.
Led by known personalities, the hashtag made rounds on social media, attracting more ABS-CBN followers and supporters to do the same.
Yes, #ABSCBNIsNotForSale
RETWEET KAPAMILYA
— EJS (@ericjohnsalut) December 30, 2019
Kapamilya Forever ❤️
— Agot Isidro (@agot_isidro) December 30, 2019
#ABSCBNIsNotForSale because we need to protect freedom of media. This is not just about one network. This will set a precedent for other closures and curtailments.
— Arah Badayos (@arahjell) December 30, 2019
It survived Marcos Dictatorship
It will not succumb to a wanna-be
— 0️⃣7️⃣1️⃣0️⃣ (@Zer0Se7enTen) December 30, 2019
The hashtag trend came on the heels of President Rodrigo Duterte’s latest diatribe against the Kapamilya network.
In a speech in North Cotabato, Duterte reiterated his previous pronouncement regarding the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise. Aside from his usual populist threat, Duterte gave unsolicited advice to the network’s owners to sell the company instead of fighting for is renewal.
“Itong ABS, mag-expire ang contract ninyo. Mag-renew kayo, ewan ko lang kung may mangyari diyan. Kung ako sa inyo ipagbili niyo na ‘yan,” Duterte said.
He also added that it is high time that Filipino people get their revenge on the company.
“Kasi ang mga Pilipino ngayon lang makaganti sa inyong kalokohan. And I will make sure that you will remember this episode of our times forever,” he added.
For the past three years, Duterte has repeated his threats on several occasions.
Duterte accused ABS-CBN of swindling him after the network failed to air the campaign ads that he paid for during the 2016 Presidential campaign.
Although Duterte did soften his stance against the media giant once, he has been vocal about ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.
ABS-CBN’s franchise is about to expire in March 2020. Currently, 11 bills have been filed in Congress aiming to renew the media network’s franchise, but the House Committee on Legislative Franchises has yet to act on it.
Meanwhile, here are other tweets from netizens supporting ABS-CBN.
Ang mga Lopez Daming naambag at naitulong sa Pilipinas Mr President
Daming Pinaaral daming tinulungan na sakuna
Daming inarungang may mga Sakit
Daming Pinapakain na Pilipino
Daming mga artistang Tinulungan at nkabangon
ABSCBN Is The Best Station Ever#ABSCBNIsNotForSale— MaliaMarNigo (@ManticayanYara) December 30, 2019
https://twitter.com/ImPaoloMendoza/status/1211587905166045184
https://twitter.com/realjohnclarkk/status/1211609483765407744
Ahh. Now it is clear. You want your cronies to get a hold of the country’s largest network. You are one despicable joke of God, Duts. Oh, you’re not a joke, you are the entire comedy skit. #ABSCBNIsNotForSale
— Nahihiwagaan (@yxnyxnmahiwaga) December 30, 2019
I was young watching at Abs-Cbn until now never changed and I'll always support here ABS-CBN
That's not right to way if sell for network.
If you support here RETWEET
#ABSCBNIsNotForSale— Lindsy Lian Gamaro (@11lindsylian) December 30, 2019
This company has way too much history to just be sold and be banished. Please #PresidentDuterte #ABSCBNIsNotForSale
— franseth (@chinyancy) December 30, 2019
