- NUJP calls for public support amid ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal woes.
- Defend Job Philippines urged Congress to save the jobs of thousands of ABS-CBN’s employees.
As the clock ticks down for the remaining three months to the expiry of ABS-CBN’s franchise, different labor and journalist groups are closely rallying behind the embattled network.
In March 2020, ABS-CBN’s license to operate will expire if they will not able to secure congressional approval on their franchise renewal bills.
With President Rodrigo Duterte’s continuous threats of blocking it, the chances of franchise extension is endangered.
“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…And I will make sure that you will remember this episode of our times forever,” said Duterte in his latest diatribe against the media network.
This latest statement and all the previous pronouncements by Duterte on several occasions have encouraged journalist groups like the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines to speak up and stand by the Kapamilya network.
In their latest statement, NUJP asked the public to support ABS-CBN amidst the franchise renewal woes it is facing.
NUJP called on Filipino journalists and citizens to unite and protect the freedom of the press which is being endangered with the threats beings hurled against ABS-CBN.
“We call on the community of independent Filipino journalists and on citizens who cherish democracy to band together and protect the free arena of ideas that the closure or forced sale of ABS-CBN would severely weaken. The alternative— the death of freedom of the press and of free expression— is too horrible to contemplate,” NUJP said in a statement.
https://www.facebook.com/nujphil/posts/10162807899450374
The journalist group also appealed to Congress to be independent and pass the franchise renewal bill of ABS-CBN.
They asked Congress to act on their own and do not be swayed by the President’s vindictiveness that will endanger the jobs of more than 11 thousand employees of the media network.
“Do not allow one man’s vindictiveness displace thousands of workers, including journalists and artists, and spell the end for freedom of the press and of expression,” said NUJP.
https://www.facebook.com/nujphil/posts/10162693232695374
Labor group Defend Job Philippines also echoed NUJP’s plea and urged Congress to save the jobs of ABS-CBN employees.
In a statement Defend Job Philippines spokesperson Lloyd Magsoy said ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal is vital to the lives not only of their 11 thousand employees but also the families depending on them.
“Being vital in operating for the next 25 years, the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN will save the jobs and source of livelihood of more than 10,000 Filipino workers and their families,” said Christian Lloyd Magsoy, spokesperson of Defend Job Philippines.
He also added that Congress should set aside politics and ensure that the Filipino workers are not held hostage by its own government.
“Politics and personal ires of our politicians must be set aside for the sake of the looming loss of employment and livelihood of the Filipino working force. Our workers must not be hostaged and victimized of any political actions of the government,” Magsoy added.
https://www.facebook.com/defendjobPH/posts/2618227868263255
ABS-CBN’s franchise will expire in March 2020.
Congress through Committee on Legislative Franchises Chair Franz Alvarez has already confirmed that the panel will start its deliberation on the pending franchise renewal bills.
The Senate through Senate President Tito Sotto and Sen. Ralph Recto also issued optimistic statements that ABS-CBN will hurdle its franchise renewal woes.
