- Netizens showed support for ABS-CBN through #NoToABSCBNShutdown
- More lawmakers are backing ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.
The calls for the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise to operate is getting louder and louder by the day.
While the President recently renewed his threat to not allow another 25-year extension of the Kapamilya network’s license to operate, netizens are becoming more and more open to calling for renewal.
ABS-CBN’s franchise is set to expire in March 2020. Since 2016, their franchise renewal bill has been stalled in Congress allegedly because of President Rodrigo Duterte’s public pronouncements against it.
But just recently, the hashtag #NoToABSCBNShutdown has made the top trending topics on Twitter, sending the message of what people wanted to happen with regards to the woes being faced by ABS-CBN.
Take note of all the trolls that have signed up just to fire up this propaganda on twitter. They know that people on twitter are VEHEMENTLY anti-duterte.
Let's be vigilant and not let what happened to Facebook also happen to Twitter. #NoToABSCBNShutdown
— march (@marchfury) December 5, 2019
Saying "yes" to ABS-CBN shutdown is equivalent to the shutdown of their foundations and free public services.
Child Welfare Projects like Bantay Bata?
Rehabilitation Projects?
Relief Operations?
Disaster Risk Reduction etc.?#NoToABSCBNShutdown— cloudy dump (@cloudydumppII) December 5, 2019
what Duterte is doing to ABS-CBN is what Marcos during did martial law – took over companies, replaced them with new “owners” who are his relatives or cronies. Marcos did that to ABS-CBN then. #NoToABSCBNShutdown
— WAWAM (@wawam) December 7, 2019
Currently, there are six bills at the House of Representatives seeking for the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise. Proponents of the bills include 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.
Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas also shared his hope for a better outcome of the Kapamilya network’s franchise renewal.
Meanwhile at the Senate, Senator Ralph Recto filed the same bill seeking to renew ABS-CBN franchise. He and Senate President Tito Sotto shared the same sentiments that there will still be time for the passage of the renewal bills starting January 2020.
“Yes, there’s enough time. If we receive it by (February), it can be passed within that month.” said Sotto.
“Yes, it can be done. I support its renewal. I also understand the concerns of the President. Overall, ABS-CBN deserves a renewal of its franchise. They have served the Filipino well. They employ people, pay taxes, they do a lot of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) inform the public and have done public service well, etc. They are part of the Filipino household.” said Recto.
Meanwhile, here are other sentiments from the netizens saying #NoToABSCBNShutdown.
That is why #NoToABSCBNshutdown https://t.co/JVPMvYt4MW
— Noemi L. Dado (@momblogger) December 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/michaeljohnu/status/1202472433250234368
I am a Kapuso, but I always believe in freedom of expression and a free media. #NoToABSCBNShutdown
— 🄿🄰🅄🄻 🄻🄸🄼 💻📸📱🍜🍡🍣🍵☕️ (@paullim0314) December 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/Krisamson_/status/1202396847832096769
I'm not bothered coz I have a lot of options to entertain my self…I seldom watch TV nowadays…my worries goes to the POOR PEOPLE who can't afford the other options. This Government is ANTI-POOR!#NoToABSCBNShutdown
— JustJaehyun (@KimLerStanT) December 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/AquijoVincent/status/1202319889748258816
ABS-CBN isn't good with news but they have given us SAGIP KAPAMILYA FOUNDATION. I'm not saying this because I was an ex-PBB housemate but their foundation has been very active in service to every Filipino when natural calamities occur. PDU30, pls think again!#NoToABSCBNShutdown
— rian. (@rianbacalla) December 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/mwds_natsu23/status/1202235052366557184
No matter what you say, Duterte and your fanatics, the whole world will always remember ABS-CBN as a symbol of Philippine democracy – isang network na minsang binusalan ng isang diktador, but found its way back into the hearts and homes of Filipinos worldwide. #NoToABSCBNShutdown
— Miss France Sajorda (@PrincessFrance) December 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/ievamaeeyy/status/1202207770092564482
Shutting down ABS CBN means shutting down quality entertainment in the Philippines.#NoToABSCBNShutdown
— Crimson (@DealWithJaycee) December 4, 2019