- Many celebrities aired their reactions over the network’s closure on Twitter
ABS-CBN, the biggest broadcasting network in the country, went off the air in the evening of May 5, 2020 in compliance with the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) order following the lapse of its franchise.
Through the “cease and desist order” issued by the NTC, ABS-CBN was prohibited from continuing its broadcast operations.
The news then became a hot topic in the country. Many netizens, celebrities, politicians, and avid supporters of the network condemned the government’s move.
Using the #NoToABSCBNShutDown, Twitter users showed their support for the network and called on the government to let ABS-CBN continue its broadcast operations.
The said hashtag topped the local Twitter trending list on Tuesday afternoon,May 5, 2020.
Former Supreme Court spokesperson Theodore Te reacted to ABS-CBN’s closure by posting on Twitter, “This is how liberty dies…” with dead air. #DefendPressFreedom.”
The College Editors Guild of the Philippines also slammed the government’s decision. The group called this a “desperate move by the Duterte administration to gag the free press.”
“In this pandemic we need the media to tell us our country’s current situation. ABS-CBN has a wide reach in the Philippines, especially its regional networks,” another Twitter user wrote.
Several Kapamilya and Kapuso celebrities also reacted to the closure of ABS-CBN through their social media accounts. Many expressed their grief after the network went off air while others voiced out their dismay over the government’s move.
Angel Locsin
Para sa kapwa.
Sa panahon na kailangan ng hanap buhay ng mga tao. Let’s be considerate and ask ourselves kung makakatulong ba ang mga desisyon natin sa lalo na sa panahong ito.
Para sa #MalayangPamamahayag… https://t.co/Tg8UZoR2s0
— Angel Locsin (@143redangel) May 5, 2020
Vice Ganda
Di lang ang network at ang mga empleyado ang kawawa kundi ang buong bansa at lahat ng Pilipinong napagkaitan ng kailangang kailangang serbisyo sa oras na ito ng pandemya. ANG LUPIT!
— jose marie viceral (@vicegandako) May 5, 2020
Kim Chiu
https://twitter.com/prinsesachinita/status/1257638135564918785?s=19
Zsazsa Padilla
Heartbroken. This news came right after our meeting for ASAP NATIN ‘TO. We ended our meeting with a heartfelt prayer so we could bravely face the new normal during GCQ. https://t.co/QHGDGQ82Cf
— zsa zsa padilla (@zsazsapadilla) May 5, 2020
Pokwang
https://twitter.com/pokwang27/status/1257615864515477504?s=19
Kathryn Bernardo
https://twitter.com/bernardokath/status/1257622378156134400?s=20
Gary Valenciano
I may never get used to seeing my dark TV screen when it’s set to ABS-CBN. No amount of bashing and trolling will change the hearts of all those who are committed to be in the service of the Filipino. We will somehow continue to do so. #NoToABSCBNShutDown pic.twitter.com/85YUBvH9dL
— GARY VALENCIANO (@GaryValenciano1) May 5, 2020
Regine Velasquez-Alcasid
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/R42ECZdE7e
— regine alcasid (@reginevalcasid) May 5, 2020
Liza Soberano
NOOOOOO @ABSCBNNews
— Liza Soberano (@lizasoberano) May 5, 2020
Ria Atayde
And we remain in the service of the Filipino. pic.twitter.com/JrMN75p5nk
— Ria Atayde (@RiaAtayde) May 5, 2020
Agot Isidro
Do not forget this day.
Never forget this day. #StandWithABSCBN#DefendMediaFreedom #MalayangPamamahayag— Agot Isidro (@agot_isidro) May 5, 2020
Joshua Garcia
Jusko!! Dinadagdagan ang problema!
— Joshua Garcia (@iamjoshuagarcia) May 5, 2020
Bianca Gonzalez
https://twitter.com/iamsuperbianca/status/1257638732875718656?s=19
Juan Miguel Severo
https://twitter.com/TheRainBro/status/1257605224434241536?s=19
Matteo Guidicelli
Praying for ABS-CBN.
— Matteo Guidicelli (@mateoguidicelli) May 5, 2020
Maine Mendoza
https://twitter.com/mainedcm/status/1257646048798887937?s=19
Janine Gutierrez
https://twitter.com/janinegutierrez/status/1257624653465440258?s=19
Lovi Poe
https://twitter.com/LoviPoe/status/1257648790229544960?s=20
Julie Anne San Jose
https://twitter.com/MyJaps/status/1257648579985813505?s=20
Gabbi Garcia
Grabe.
— Gabbi Garcia ♡ (@gabbi) May 5, 2020
