During the 6th hearing on the ABS-CBN Franchise renewal last June 17, former ABS-CBN General Manager Jake Almeda Lopez called on the Joint House Panel hoping that they would recognize the contributions of the network, its employees, and talents to society.
The retired ABS-CBN executive pleaded with Congress to recognize the value of the network, especially on how it serves the Filipino people.
“My plea is this that Congress recognize the value of ABS-CBN, recognize the contribution of the 11,000 employees of ABS-CBN, and the contribution of ABS-CBN to the television industry in general.”
Lopez believes that it’s his responsibility to fight for and defend ABS-CBN.
“I mention this because ABS-CBN is fighting for its life. I think it’s my responsibility as a senior member of this company to explain to the members of this Congress that I think we really deserve the renewal of our franchise,” Lopez said.
Lopez didn’t miss to mention the charities of the network, such as ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya, and its initiatives such as Bantay Bata.
He also stressed that ABS-CBN staff are also first responders in emergency situations, and the company has raised funds for affected families during disasters.
The lawyer believes that depriving the network of its franchise will not be of any benefit to the public,
“And that if you don’t renew our franchise, you are going to deprive the public of so much entertainment news and more or less the building of culture.”
Almeda Lopez is not related to the Lopez family, but was general manager of ABS-CBN from 1966 until the station was shut down when dictator Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in 1972.
Almeda Lopez was jailed under martial law, but fled to the United States. He returned to the country before the EDSA revolution but was jailed again by Marcos.
