Many netizens have noticed the silence of veteran Kapamilya anchors Noli de Castro, Ted Failon, and Anthony Taberna in the midst of ABS-CBN’s franchise woes.
While other Kapamilya broadcasters like Karen Davila, Lynda Jumilla, Tony Velasquez, Alvin Elchico, Doris Bigornia, Korina Sanchez, and Bernadette Sembrano among others have been openly supporting the network, netizens are wondering why the three gentlemen are timid about the issue.
During their program on DZMM on the day of the Senate hearing and when ABS-CBN employees did the walk of faith wearing ABS-CBN colors and ribbons, the two were noticeably not wearing the said ribbons.
Daan-daang empleyado at mga artista ng ABS-CBN ang nagsagawa ng "walk of faith" sa paligid ng compound ng Kapamilya network ilang oras bago ang Senate hearing sa #ABSCBNfranchise | Ulat ni @LyzaAquinoDZMM pic.twitter.com/R4UrK5w74A
— DZMM TeleRadyo (@DZMMTeleRadyo) February 23, 2020
Muling iginiit ni Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo na hindi gusto ni Pangulong Duterte na magsara ang ABS-CBN, kundi nais lang nito na matigil ang umano'y mga ilegal na gawain ng Kapamilya network. #ABSCBNfranchise pic.twitter.com/pTz71kUxE5
— DZMM TeleRadyo (@DZMMTeleRadyo) February 24, 2020
This lead to netizens slamming and calling out the Kapamilya male anchors for their soft stand on the issue.
https://twitter.com/c_henit/status/1232077234355097600
I want to see dutertards na nasa news department like Anthony Taverna, Gerry Baja, Vic Deleon Lima, Ted Failon and Kabayan Noli de Castro showing their support for the franchise renewal. Asan na sila?
— my lizquen (@mylizquen1) February 24, 2020
Imik imik naman po mga batikang(?) tauhan ng dzmm at abs cbn katulad ni ka tunying, ted failon at kabayan noli.
Kung si Panot ang gumagawa nito sa company ninyo baka puro ngakngak kayo to the langit. Hoy Gising!
— myepinoy (@myepinoy) February 19, 2020
We are still awaiting the statements of Noli De Castro, Ted Failon, Tunying and other news personalities on the latest move of Calida to void ABS-CBN's franchise.
May lakas ng loob kaya sila pra magsalita o tatahimik na lang? https://t.co/c1e0b72eoL
— Leisbeth Recto (@leisbeth_recto) February 10, 2020
https://twitter.com/adriannrhoy/status/1226862613792821250
https://twitter.com/Andre07132000/status/1025587005541867520
What concerns some netizens more is the fact that these anchors are known as the most hard hitting commentators of the network when it comes to social issues but they suddenly became tightlipped with the franchise issue of the network.
Some are connecting their silence with their support for President Rodrigo Duterte.
Kabayan is the father of one of Duterte’s top supporters and now incoming PTV General Manager Kat De Castro. Failon, on the other hand, is another known supporter who for the longest time has been very lenient in commenting on the incompetence of the administration. Taberna, on the other hand, is the same who sees only good about the President.
However, while they maybe silent in commentary, few photos of Kabayan and Ted have surfaced wearing the ABS-CBN ribbon during their TV Patrol broadcast.
In a tweet by ABS-CBN reporter and anchor Alvin Elchico, Kabayan was seen wearing the ABS-CBN ribbon as a sign of solidarity with the network.
Human chain with Kabayan and Ate B inside the studio for ABS-CBN's franchise renewal. pic.twitter.com/gfRmzN1qUN
— alvin elchico (@alvinelchico) February 21, 2020
Ted Failon was also wearing the ABS-CBN ribbon in Tuesday’s (February 25) TV Patrol broadcast.
Hahaha ted failon and kabayan noli teasing Bernadette.
Looooolll@TVPatrol pic.twitter.com/7KG7yJlkJV
— Ej Aniñon (@EngrKaileemac) February 25, 2020
