Seventy lawmakers decided to junk ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal despite the network and resource people from various government agencies saying that ABS-CBN did not violate any laws.
This decision has endangered the jobs of 11,000 employees who might be facing unemployment in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis.
On that note, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa heartlessly advised the network’s employees to look for other jobs in the middle of a pandemic.
“Hanap ng ibang trabaho para mabuhay at magsumikap. May ibang paraan pa naman siguro para mabuhay tayo,” Bato said.
This statement of Dela Rosa irked everyone, including GMA Network artist Jennylyn Mercado. On her official Facebook page, Jennylyn replied in reference to Bato’s words, “Sabi nga nila ‘To lead by example.’ Baka naman gusto niyo pong mauna.”
https://www.facebook.com/JennylynMercadoOfficial/photos/a.10152947369883942/10159785570458942/?type=3&theater
The remark of Bato sparked outrage amongst ABS-CBN employees as it showed a lack of compassion for people who were in danger of losing their jobs mid-pandemic.
Impersonator KaladKaren told the senator to do just the same.
Mr. Senator, bagay din po sa inyo itong statement niyo. May iba pa pong trabaho. Hanap na lang po kayo ng iba https://t.co/RWxfKWyxO7
— KaladKaren (@jervijervi) July 9, 2020
Songwriter and producer Rox Santos also labeled the Senator as “Pusong Bato” because of his heartless statement to employees.
It’s Showtime star Ion Perez shared the statement on his Twitter account and captioned it with an “angry” emoticon.
https://twitter.com/pereziion27_/status/1281145380088901632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1281145380088901632%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailypedia.net%2F2020%2F07%2Fabs-cbn-employees-react-to-senator-bato-dela-rosas-heartless-statement%2F
It is a known fact that the Senator-elect, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is indeed insensitive. He made a remark in jest which earned the ire of netizens soon after the Senate’s early adjournment of their Hybrid Session.
Before the virtual session ended, Dela Rosa with a sigh of relief was heard saying, “Sarap ng buhay! Ganito na lang tayo palagi ha!”
Netizens can’t help but share their disgust over Bato’s yet another controversial remark.
WATCH: Neophyte Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa lets out sigh of relief after the hybrid plenary session ended relatively early on Tuesday: “Sarap ng buhay! Ganito na lang tayo palagi ha!” The session ran for about 1 hour and 45 minutes. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/QYx7x5wEWp
— Dona Magsino (@donamagsino) May 26, 2020
This netizen couldn’t believe his ears.
Just wow, Bato dela Rosa. Wow.
Thousands of people are dead. Millions around the world have lost their jobs.
— Zion Ryan Cruz (@zryanverse) May 26, 2020
Jennylyn showed her support for ABS-CBN despite being a Kapuso. She is not afraid to share her opinion on Congress’s rejection of a franchise renewal and getting bashed.
In her Twitter post, she defended ABS-CBN employees who are on the verge of losing their jobs from bashers who rejoiced in the shutdown of the network.
She wrote that “Rejoicing because of other people’s sorrow is not only wrong but inhumane. You are cruel.”
— jennylyn mercado (@MercadoJen) July 13, 2020
Jen reminded those who told her to shut up to respect other people’s opinions.
One quick reminder to the people na nagrereply ng “shhh”, “shut up” o “tumahimik ka nilang”, at “huwag ka mangelam”… ❤️
Respecting other people’s opinion is a value you seem to have forgotten… pic.twitter.com/4wDwTuwgwP
— jennylyn mercado (@MercadoJen) July 13, 2020
A netizen advised her to be neutral over the issue so she won’t be bashed but the Kapuso actress said, “If being ‘bashed’ is a small price to pay for practicing my right to freedom of speech. Then I am fine with it.”
But I am a Filipino and that alone is enough.
To be neutral or silent in times of injustice is injustice.
If being “bashed” is a small price to pay for practicing my right to freedom of speech. Then I am fine with it. pic.twitter.com/CKeTsnUbr1— jennylyn mercado (@MercadoJen) July 13, 2020
Jennylyn Mercado is the grand winner of a GMA Network reality show, StarStruck, in 2003. As a winner, she got an exclusive contract with GMA Network.
She also starred in the various TV series and movies such as Encantadia, I Luv NY, The Bride and the Lover, Let the Love Begin, and So Happy Together.
She also hosted the “Protégé: The Battle for the Big Break” and the GMA-7 Sunday talk show, “Showbiz Central”.
