On Tuesday, May 26, SAGIP Partylist Representative Rodante Marcoleta accused ABS-CBN of being “pro-Noynoy Aquino” during the 2010 presidential elections while it was “pro-Grace Poe and pro-Leni Robredo” during the 2016 presidential elections.
“ABS-CBN has been biased and partisan in favor of particular candidates and against certain candidates during the 2010 and 2016 presidential candidates, contrary to the terms of its franchise and in violation of the Omnibus Election Code,” the lawmaker said during a House hearing on the network’s franchise renewal.
“Hindi naman lingid sa kaalaman ng marami, kung hindi man lahat, kung paano naging pro-Noynoy Aquino ang ABS-CBN nung 2010 at pro-Grace Poe at pro-Leni Robredo naman nung 2016,” he added.
He also said that despite receiving the payment for the placement, the network did not air then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s presidential campaign advertisement.
Marcoleta said that the network was also set to air an anti-Duterte advertisement funded by a former senator had it not been for the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the courts.
Foreign Affairs Sec. Teddy Boy Locsin Jr. had earlier said that former President Nonoy Aquino also didn’t want to renew the ABS-CBN’s franchise in a tweet.
Oddly PNoy too indicated he would not renew ABSCBN’s franchise; only Joma Sison wants to renew it but will he do it when he is president? Ok. Back to my spiritual retreat.
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) January 1, 2020
According to a House insider, the giant network failed to secure renewal because of the strong opposition from the cable operators. The House allies of former President Aquino were also hesitant because of continuous criticism against the administration, which Aquino alleged felt was too offensive and personal.
There were some speculations that Aquino asked ABS-CBN to remove news anchors Noli De Castro and Ted Failon for their harsh criticisms against his administration in exchange for the renewal of the franchise.
