Critically acclaimed film director Brillante Mendoza was asked about his stand on the current controversy hindering ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.
Despite not having a clear position on the matter, Director Mendoza appealed as a concerned citizen and artist for fair play and judgment on the issue, especially since ABS-CBN has been in the industry for a very long time.
“At this point in time, hindi ko pa talaga alam kung ano talaga ‘yung totoo, kung ano talaga ‘yung issue coming from the government atsaka coming from the neighbor station. Pero, as a citizen, not only as a concerned artist, ang isang network na matagal nang nandidiyan, for the longest time, parang naging parte na ‘yan ng buhay ng mga Pilipino,” he said.
“‘Di ko sinasabi ‘yung content, kumbaga, kung ano man ang pinapalabas diyan, naging part na ‘yan ng Pilipino. Kahit papaano na-shape na niya ‘yung society sa mga pinapalabas na mga pelikula or content.
“Sa akin lang, sana makita natin ‘yung patas, at makita natin kung ano ‘yung dapat gawin. ‘Wag tayong magpadalos dalos on both parties not only from the government side but also from the network side nang makita natin ‘yung whole picture.
“Pag aralan nating maigi para makapag isip din, para balanse din ang ating maco-contribute.
“But at the same time, katulad ng sinabi ko, improtante na magkaroon tayo ng freedom of expression. Importante na magkaroon din tayo ng boses,” he quipped.
Meanwhile, the office of Solicitor General Jose Calida recently asked the Supreme Court to issue a gag order to stop ABS-CBN and its representatives from discussing the quo warranto petition he filed to nullify the network’s franchise.
On February 18, Tuesday, Calida filed a “very urgent motion” asking the Supreme Court to issue the order that bans “parties and persons acting on their behalf” from releasing statements discussing the quo warranto case which he filed against the network on February 10. He said this violates the sub judice rule, which prohibits media coverage or published comments that could influence the outcome of a court matter.
According to President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesperson and chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo, even celebrities would be banned from releasing statements about the pending franchise bill of ABS-CBN, should the high court grants the Solicitor General’s plea.
Aside from the franchise renewal issue, the acclaimed director was also asked about the on-going preparation for Sinag Maynila 2020.
Above all, the 59-year old director wishes that the festival lasts.
He said, “Sana wag mawala ang sinag.”
“Alam naman nating lahat na napakahirap mag organize ng isang festival. I’ve always been saying this over and over, and again. Pero andito pa rin kame 6 years na. So hopefully, umabot kami nang ten years, 15 years, 20 years. Alam ko nag-struggle kami pero nandidiyan ang mga supporta ng lahat kaya maraming salamat,” Mendoza added.
Sinag Maynila is a festival of indie films launched in 2015 by Mendoza and his co-founder Wilson Tieng.
Brillante “Dante” Mendoza is an award-winning Filipino independent film director. Since 2005, the respected director has already directed 16 films and won various awards and nominations internationally.
Aside from his directorial film projects, Mendoza, a supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte, also directed his State Of the Nation Address twice.
On July 25, 2016, he directed the first State of the Nation Address of the President. Mendoza was again tapped to direct Duterte’s second SONA on July 24, 2017.
