In an interview on ANC News with Christian Esguerra, ACT-CIS party-list Representative Eric Yap shared his perception regarding the Congress’ decision on rejecting the ABS-CBN franchise.
Esguerra asked Yap whether it was really necessary to kill ABS-CBN’s franchise just to teach the network a lesson?
According to Yap, Congress just wants to teach a ‘lesson’ to ABS-CBN and believes that the network will come back better after this ‘trial’.
“Sometimes, you have to do what you don’t have to do just to teach them a lesson. Kasi minsan kailangan mong dumaan sa hardship para matutunan mo yung tama sa buhay,” he said.
“I’m not saying na tama ito, but I think it’s fate. Then one day I know babalik yung ABS-CBN news na better, best or maybe tatalunin pa nila ang mga CNN sa ibang bansa dahil sa caliber ng news na meron ang ABS-CBN,” he added.
He believes that all of these are part of the learning process and God’s plans for ABS-CBN.
“I think it’s all part of the process and the Lord has its plan for ABS-CBN,” Yap said. “Kung titignan mo ngayon, bakit sila nakabalik sa ibang station di ba, because alam ng diyos na ang ganda ng ginagawa ng teleserye.”
He also assured that one day, ABS-CBN will thank Congress for their decision of not renewing their franchise.
“So pagdating sa news, one day, you will thank what happen to the Congress and that ABS-CBN news will be better and best in this country,” the lawmaker said.
Esguerra followed up with the question, “Di ba mas maganda kung ‘di na masyado napahirapan with the action of Congress?”
Yap then said that he asked the same question to his parents.
“Para sa akin yung pinahirapan ganun din sinabi ko sa magulang ko, ‘bakit niyo ako pinahirapan nung bata ko?’ ‘bakit ako dumaan sa matinding pagsusubok?'” he replied.
“Ang sabi nila sa akin ‘Anak, kung ‘di ka namin pinalo, hindi ka namin kinulong, hindi ka namin dinisiplina, sa tingin mo ba magiging ganyan ka ngayon?'” he shared.
Finally, Esguerra asked Yap whether he is proud of his vote to reject the ABS-CBN franchise.
“I can see that you’re now doing good in news,” he said.
He said that he has no regrets about his vote to deny the network’s franchise.
“I don’t have regrets, I’m not proud, but I don’t regret it. Because why? I think will be better for the Filipino people,” he claimed.
“Kung maco-correct nila yung konting flaws niyo sa news, it will be better for the Filipino people. Right now, nakabalik na ang ABS-CBN shows di ba?” he said.
The solon also showed confidence in saying that ABS-CBN has learned its lesson and eventually molded it to become better.
“So, the Filipino people can enjoy now. Pero kung hindi yan binalik, hindi nangyari ‘to, may plano lahat eh. So I think kayo, may natutunan sa event na ‘to and it made you a better person. I know deep in your heart na may natutunan kayo and it made you a better person.”
Yap also said before that his decision was influenced by his personal interest because of the alleged biased news coverage of ABS-CBN accusing Paolo Duterte of being involved in illegal drugs.
Yap, being an ally of Duterte, also accused ABS-CBN days before the votation of bribing Congressmen including himself to vote for their renewal. He claimed he received a call from an emissary offering him 200 million pesos. This allegation was disaffirmed by the network.
It now seems that Congress claims to be ‘heroic’ by saying that they just want to teach ABS-CBN a lesson. Despite the network being cleared by all allegations by BIR, DOLE, SEC, and NTC, Congress still decided to reject their bid for a franchise. However, Congress cannot erase the fact that their decision was politically motivated and based on personal grudges.
