With 2022 elections fast approaching, talent manager and part-time actor Ogie Diaz shared on his facebook page a reminder for the public: to be wary of the actor-senators who are running for a post, but were against ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.
Diaz wrote on September 22: “Markahan ang mga ‘masunuring’ congressmen sa next election.”
In May 2020, ABS-CBN shut down after it adhered to the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) cease-and-desist order, stopping its operation because of an expired franchise.
Months of deliberation and countless hearings, the Committee on Legislative Franchises on July 10, 2020, erased all hope for ABS-CBN to return on air when it rejected its application with a vote of 70-11.
These actor-politician who voted ‘yes’ were Manila 3rd District Rep. Yul Servo Nieto, Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Precious Hipolito Castelo, and Sta. Rosa Laguna Congressman Dan Fernandez.
Quezon City District V’s representative Alfred Vargas got included in the list since he abstained.
Most of the Netizens who commented on Diaz’s post were also eager to have a “payback” with the politicians.
“#neverforget,” wrote a netizen.
“Cant Wait… it’s Payback time!” said the other.
“Never forget!”
Nieto will be running as Manila City’s vice mayor while Castelo has yet to announce her decision to become Mike Defensor’s running mate who is eyeing for Quezon City’s mayoralty post.
Fernandez however, has yet to make an announcement whether he will run for a government post this election.
Vargas, on the other hand, has made himself clear that he will take a break from politics. Instead, he will support his brother, Quezon City Councilor Patrick Michael “PM” Vargas, who will run for District V’s Congressman next election.
