ACT-CIS Party-list Representative and former media person Niña Taduran expressed deep regret over the loss of jobs due to the ABS-CBN shutdown.
During ABS-CBN’s hearing, Taduran’s party-list voted “no” on the network’s franchise renewal.
Her regret was answered with disbelief from journalists and personalities via Twitter.
Thank you, but it’s rather rich of you to say this when your fellow partylist representative – and, in effect, ACT-CIS partylist group itself – played a major role in the shutdown of #ABSCBN. pic.twitter.com/bXIXTS7PC8
— Lynda Jumilla-Abalos (@lyndajumilla) August 28, 2020
https://t.co/3b8acSCNbq pic.twitter.com/tBSmvVwNLz
— DJ Chacha (@_djchacha) August 28, 2020
— Jacque Manabat (@jacquemanabat) August 28, 2020
Netizens also expressed their disbelief with Taduran’s regret.
Nina Taduran
Nakuha mo pang magpa-press release para lang maki-sympatya sa ABS-CBN, samantalang ang partido mo na kinabibilangan at isa sa mga mambabatas na nasa poder nyo ay bumoto na wag bigyan ng prangkisa ang himpilan.
How dare you. Ang kapal ng mukha mo. Let's see in 2022.
— John Paulo Valdez (@jpvaldez_2020) August 28, 2020
https://twitter.com/renzorexxx/status/1299156294494871554
Nina Taduran, the radio broadcaster? So by voting to close down @ABSCBN she and her party are complicit in leaving 11,000 people JOBLESS!
Enough with drama, saying you have deep regret doesn’t erase what you did here. Your part of the idiot cabal who caused this!
— MrsHan (@MoxieLi) August 28, 2020
https://twitter.com/AhdrianaLuize/status/1299324501071523842
She did vote for closure right? Such drama. https://t.co/6O5I3gNvlr
— Katar Lhal (@KatarHol5) August 28, 2020
Taduran proposed the Media Workers Welfare Act on Thursday. She claimed that this “will be a game-changer.” The bill contains provisions on compensation, the security of tenure, hazard pay, overtime work, and night shift differential for all media workers.
With the denial of their 25-year franchise, the network suffered almost P4 billion in losses. ABS-CBN has already initiated its retrenchment program where it is letting go of major units, programs, and staff within the network.
The youth lifestyle magazine Chalk.ph, and Regional Broadcasting Networks all over the country, and DZMM radio Programs have already said their goodbyes to their audience and staff.
Other units such as ABS-CBN Film Archives and ABS-CBN’s corporate dining facility, Restaurant 9501 already ceased operations and bid goodbye to their staff.
Despite the network’s efforts to keep most of its employees, all they can do is try to mitigate the effect of the rejected franchise.
“We are doing all we can to mitigate the pain that will be felt by those affected, including paying out separation and retirement benefits and providing job placement programs, as much as it hurts us to implement this retrenchment program, this is the only way to ensure the continued employment of the rest of our Kapamilya.”
