- Actor-politician Lito Lapid gave his opinion about the impending franchise renewal ABS-CBN
- President Rodrigo Duterte’s repeatedly threatened to block ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal
- The franchise of the Lopez-led network will expire in March 2020
Senator and actor Lito Lapid spoke his mind about the passing of ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal to operate for another 25 years. The network’s franchise by Republic Act 7966 is up for renewal and President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly threatened to block it.
If the bill is not signed into law before its expiration date in March 2020, ABS-CBN would have to close shop.
During his thanksgiving lunch for the entertainment press held last Monday, December 16, Lapid expressed his concern for the thousands of ABS-CBN employees who might lose their jobs in the aftermath.
The senator said, “Kawawa naman. Huwag naman, marami ang mawawalan ng trabaho.
“Basta, magdasal na lang tayo. Sana, walang mawawalan ng trabaho.
“Masyadong sensitive [ang issue], lalo na ako, isa ako sa mga magdedesisyon, dadaan sa amin yun.”
Meanwhile, Lapid was also thankful for the entertainment press for supporting his showbiz and political career.
“Ang pulitika, puwedeng iwanan, ang showbiz hindi.
“Hindi naman ako magiging pulitiko kung hindi sa showbiz,” he said.
The passing of ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal bill has gained more support from the Congress as 2019 comes to an end.
Four years ago, the franchise renewal of the giant network failed to have its legislative franchise approved before the 16th Congress closed shop on June 6, 2016. Former president Noynoy Aquino allegedly hindered the ABS-CBN franchise renewal because of journalists Noli de Castro and Ted Failon.
