Ex-PTV4 host Jules Guiang finds fault with the alleged ‘loyalty’ of Congress to President Rodrigo Duterte, as the House of Representatives approves the DITO telecommunity corporation franchise.
After three months of Congressional hearings, the House with a vote of 204-7 granted a franchise for the Philippines’ third telco company, DITO telecommunity corporation formerly known as Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company (Mislatel)
DITO which is partnered with Chelsea logistics and China telecom is headed by Davao-based business tycoon, Dennis Uy who is a good friend of President Duterte and one of the main sponsors of the latter during the 2016 Presidential elections campaign.
With this, netizens including Jules Guiang questioned Congress allegiance to Duterte.
Para kanino ba ang House of REPRESENTATIVES?
– Quick to deny the #ABSCBNFranchise
– Quick to approve the 25-year franchise of Dito that is 40% owned by a Chinese Gov’t CorporationSadly, it’s safe to say that some of our reps in the House represent not the people, but PRRD.
— Jules Guiang (@julesguiang) August 27, 2020
“Para kanino ba ang House of REPRESENTATIVES?
– Quick to deny the #ABSCBNFranchise
– Quick to approve the 25-year franchise of Dito that is 40% owned by a Chinese Gov’t Corporation ”
“Sadly, it’s safe to say that some of our reps in the House represent not the people, but PRRD.”
The fate of DITO is opposite from the unfortunate franchise denial of the ABS-CBN corporation which was believed to be politically-motivated as Duterte is known to be one of the biggest adversaries of the network.
Many believe that Congress was influenced by Duterte to vote against the franchise renewal of the country’s biggest media conglomerate.
Moreover, the questionable franchise grant to DITO stemmed from its possible ownership by a foreign group and labor issues as the franchise allows 40% of its employees as contractual.
Jules Guiang is a former host and broadcaster of PTV4 or the People’s Television Network. He is one of the most outspoken and straightforward journalists who was fired for his fiery comments against Congressmen during the ABS-CBN franchise hearing.
He also urged his former company to give attention to labor issues and prioritize job security and employees’ welfare.
“I urge the new PTV management to swiftly process the regularization of the network’s employees. I urge them to focus on the welfare of their employees in the middle of this pandemic. I urge them to treat their people with love, compassion, kindness, appreciation, and respect,” he said.
