Veteran broadcast journalist Gus Abelgas opened up about the personal and professional toll of ABS-CBN’s shutdown, admitting that the network’s loss of franchise in 2020 nearly shattered his life and career.
In the latest episode of the vlog of fellow Kapamilya journalist Bernadette Sembrano released on Saturday, February 14, Abelgas spoke candidly about how deeply the closure affected him after more than three decades with the company.
“Ayaw ko sanang aminin…pero nasira ‘yong buhay ko halos sa pagkawala ng ABS-CBN dahil ang ABS-CBN, ito ang naging buhay ko halos sa buong career ko,” he said.
“At dito ako nagkaroon ng buhay na maayos at dito rin ako nagkaroon ng partner. Napakahalaga talaga…dito nagsimula ang lahat. Kaya nakakapanghinayang,” he added.
After Congress voted against granting ABS-CBN a new franchise in May 2020, Abelgas said he immediately began looking for work — at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Takot din akong makalabas. Pero siyempre siguro talagang kapalaran na natin. Nangyari na ‘yan; let’s admit it. Talagang ganyan,” he shared.
In May 2020, 70 lawmakers voted to reject the 25-year legislative franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, effectively forcing the broadcast giant off free TV and radio. The decision came after then-President Rodrigo Duterte publicly criticized the network over the non-airing of his 2016 campaign advertisements — an issue for which ABS-CBN later issued an apology and cited limitations on local ad placements.
Despite the challenges, Abelgas has since returned to ABS-CBN through the revival of his long-running investigative program, ‘SOCO: Scene of the Crime Operatives’.
The refreshed version of the crime docu-drama features reenactments, exclusive interviews, autopsy findings, witness testimonies, and insights from investigators and forensic experts. Joining Abelgas are reporters Zyann Ambrosio, Dennis Datu, Jeff Caparas, Lyza Aquino, and Jessie Cruzat, each contributing firsthand coverage of major cases.
The program made its comeback on October 24, 2025, exclusively on iWant.
From exposing high-profile crimes to highlighting the resilience of victims and their families, SOCO continues its mission of pursuing truth and justice — a platform Abelgas once feared he had lost for good.