COMELEC Commissioner Rowena Guanzon has spoken up about ABS-CBN’s franchise.
In a tweet, the fiery COMELEC Commissioner said, “I’m reading the law granting franchise to ABS-CBN so I can understand the issues.”
She also added that she cannot imagine not having ABS-CBN in Negros Occidental and the whole of Region 6. Guanzon was the former Mayor of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental before she was appointed to the COMELEC.
“Can’t imagine Negros Occidental and region 6 without ABS-CBN.”
I'm reading the law granting franchise to ABS-CBN so I can understand the issues . Can't imagine negros Occidental and region 6 without ABS-CBN
— Rowena Guanzon (@rowena_guanzon) February 21, 2020
Meanwhile, in the comment thread, one netizen disputed Guanzon’s claim about Negros not having ABS-CBN saying it’s an insult to the Negrenses.
The netizen said Negros is independent from ABS-CBN since they have their own culture and identity.
“As a native of Neg Occ, I can say we are more than than just watching ABSCBN. We have our own culture and identity independent of ABSCBN. Are you covertly insulting the people in this side of the country?”
As a native of Neg Occ, I can say we are more than than just watching ABSCBN. We have our own culture and identity independent of ABSCBN. Are you covertly insulting the people in this side of the country?
— Jose Maria Rosales (@josemaria_rsls) February 21, 2020
But as feisty as she is, the Commissioner then retorted asking if he’s insulting her intelligence.
Are u not covertly insulting my intelligence 'nak? Hahaha oy mag trabaho ka na . Ari bala ko di sa Negros subong
— Rowena Guanzon (@rowena_guanzon) February 21, 2020
Aside from the franchise issue, Guanzon also praised how dignified ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak was when he came out on national TV.
“I saw the CEO of @ABSCBNNews Mr Katigbak speak on tv. Very dignified in the face of grave adversity. This man stayed out of the public eye for years .didnt know he was CEO.”
I saw the CEO of @ABSCBNNews Mr Katigbak speak on tv. Very dignified in the face of grave adversity. This man stayed out of the public eye for years .didnt know he was CEO.
— Rowena Guanzon (@rowena_guanzon) February 20, 2020
Guanzon also shared a side by side summary of OSG’s petition versus ABS-CBN’s explanation regarding Quo Warranto.
Here is a summary of OSG's petition and @ABSCBNNews statement .aralin nyo . Hello @iamkarendavila pic.twitter.com/afbNxnZYfg
— Rowena Guanzon (@rowena_guanzon) February 22, 2020
ABS-CBN is currently facing problems as its franchise is expiring on March 30, 2020. The House of Representative has yet to calendar the Committee hearings on the 11 pending bills seeking to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise.
Apart from the franchise expiration, ABS-CBN is also battling the quo warranto petition filed by the Office of the Solicitor General with the Supreme Court.
