Netizens and Kapamilya personalities took to social media to criticize Solicitor General Jose Calida’s move to bar ABS-CBN and all its representatives to talk about the ABS-CBN franchise renewal issue.
On Tuesday, February 18, Calido went to the Supreme Court to file a motion asking for a gag order against ABS-CBN and everyone acting on their behalf. Calida wants these parties to stop talking about the merits of the quo warranto case he filed against the media giant. The SolGen said news articles and video materials discussing the issue tends to elicit public sympathy which could sway judgment on the case.
But netizens especially Kapamilya personalities were not happy with this new legal gymnastics from Calida.
Kapamilya broadcaster and news anchor Karen Davila questioned the gag order saying it’s absurd to gag a media company from saying anything to the media.
https://twitter.com/iamkarendavila/status/1229748697317031936
Jeff Canoy meanwhile asked netizens to watch and share the video being questioned by Calida.
https://twitter.com/jeffcanoy/status/1229644061650210817
MOR DJ Chaha, on the other hand, said she will not be silenced and she will continue to speak because that is her right not just as an ABS-CBN employee but as a Filipino taxpayer.
My name is DJ Chacha. I am a proud member of the 11,000 strong roster of employees of ABS CBN.
This is MY social media account.
I will speak up because it is MY right, not as a Kapamilya, but as a tax-paying Filipino. pic.twitter.com/EdnaaTI2P4
— DJ Chacha (@_djchacha) February 18, 2020
Bianca Gonzalez meanwhile just used the hashtag #InTheServiceOfTheFilipino along with the video of Christian Esguerra.
#InTheServiceOfTheFilipino https://t.co/plLrnOB8YA
— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) February 18, 2020
ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal is still pending at the House of Representative with just little over a month before it expires on March 30, 2020.
The Committee on Legislative Franchises has yet to schedule a hearing for the 11 pending franchise renewal bills seeking to give ABS-CBN a fresh 25-year license to operate.
After filing a quo warranto against, SolGen Calida wants to place a gag order on the media network and all its representatives.
Meanwhile, here are the sentiments from netizens with regards to Calida’s gag order petition.
This was the reason behind Solicitor Jose Calida’s gag order for ABS-CBN. Like and retweet this, guys. Time to use that influence. https://t.co/GKC36kMhVX
— Josiah Antonio (@josiahvantonio) February 18, 2020
Calida files a quo warranto petition seeking to forfeit the franchises of ABS-CBN, "Pag mali, mali talaga yan."
Now, Calida wants gag order vs ABS-CBN including stars' statements.
Gag order? I thought you are so cocksure of your case?#DefendPressFreedom #IStandWithABSCBN
— Dan Santos (@DanSantos8) February 18, 2020
Reposting because this incredibly effective explainer about the unwarranted quo warranto petition was one of the reasons Calida cited for his puerile plea for a gag order. 'Tis a good day to prick bubbles! 😀https://t.co/6nx9rFfKca
— nonoy espina (@EspinaNonoy) February 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/Don8don3/status/1229644866931412992
Ayy wow may pa-motion for gag order pa si Calida. Like how blatant can he be?
— jessie (@notjessied) February 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/RykkQE/status/1229758456631943168
