Several Kapamilya celebrities and personalities have expressed exasperation against President Duterte’s repeated rant against ABS-CBN.

During his weekly late-night taped public address regarding the government’s COVID-19 pandemic response, Duterte lashed out against the media giant again.

Rather than focusing on the government’s efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic, Duterte [again] veered away and talk about ABS-CBN.

According to Duterte, he won’t let ABS-CBN operate again even if Congress decided to pass the franchise bills recently filed by Lipa Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto, CamSur Rep. Gabriel Bordado, and Senate Pres. Tito Sotto.

Even though the BIR and DBP cleared the Network of any liabilities, Duterte insisted that ABS-CBN has to pay their tax dues first before the media company could go on-air.

“Congress is planning to restore the franchise of the Lopezes. I have no problem with if you restore it. But if you say that they can operate if they already have it, no. I will not allow them. I will not allow the NTC to grant them the permit to operate.” 

“Unless in a deal, the Lopezes would pay their taxes, I will not — I will ignore your franchise, and I will not give them the license to operate,” he said.

That’s why several Kapamilya artists and personalities took to social media to air their sentiments.

Outspoken Kapamilya star Nikki Valdez taunted Duterte for continuing to focus on ABS-CBN even if there’s still no concrete efforts against the pandemic for almost a year now.

“Mag iisang taon na sa March ang pandemya, tax parin ng ABSCBN ang problema?” Nikki tweeted.

Meanwhile, Ria Atayde can’t help but posted an annoyed gif of Justine Timberlake along with Philstar’s tweet regarding Duterte’s latest pronouncements against ABS-CBN.

Known Duterte critic Enchong Dee also scored the President, saying there are more issues and problems that the country is facing, yet Duterte remains fixated with ABS-CBN.

“Andyan ka pa rin?? Hoy Gising! Ang daming Pilipino naghihirap ngayon, yun muna unahin natin… kahit wala kaming franchise nakakapagbigay serbisyo kami,” Enchong tweeted.

Former Kapamilya writer-producer Nick Villavecer meanwhile slammed Duterte for his double standards.

Villavecer specifically blasted Duterte’s statement saying if he will give ABS-CBN the chance to operate he might be giving a prize.

Former PBB housemate Justin Dizon shared his sentiment, saying that Duterte is obviously behind the rejection of the ABS-CBN franchise given his unending tirade against the Network.

“Kung hindi ka pa naniniwala na pinulitika ang ABS-CBN, aba ewan ko na lang sayo. His regular speeches during Mondays is required by the Bayanihan law—which was primarily enacted because of COVID-19 but here he is, spreading lies and parading his incompetence. Nakakapagod.”

Journalist Barnaby Lo has the same observation, saying it is undeniable that Duterte’s hand is all over the ABS-CBN franchise rejection.

“As clear as day – President Duterte is not and never was hands off on ABS-CBN’s franchise. Paulit ulit na ang resibo, this is just an undeniable fact now.”

Award-winning writer Jerry Gracio also has this to say.

“Alam mong inutil ang Pangulo kung sa gitna ng pandemya, ABS-CBN pa rin ang problema niya, hindi ang kawalan ng trabaho, hindi ang gutóm na mga tao, hindi ang bakuna.”

Kapamilya director Ted Boborol, newly declared Tawag ng Tanghalan Champion JM Yosures, and Kapamilya showbiz reporter Ganiel Krishnan used the viral phrase ‘because?’ to express a sarcastic query on why the ABS-CBN franchise, a priority to the President as opposed to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“ABS-CBN pa rin concern mo kahit marami nang naghihirap na tao at di pa rin nasugpo ang pandemya BECAUSE???” said Boborol.

“Ayaw ibalik ang prankisa because?” said JM.

“Walang pag usad. Walang pag unlad. Prangkisa pa din ang topic because???” said Ganiel