Has Congressman Alan Peter Cayetano chosen to fight for ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal?
As seen on DZMM Teleradyo, the senator was proudly wearing the ABS-CBN ribbon which symbolizes support for the network in its fight for franchise renewal.
https://twitter.com/kowalerts/status/1236958110264127488?s=20
Wearing the ribbon which symbolizes support for ABS-CBN is contrary to Cayetano’s words and actions for the past several months.
Cayetano, who ran and lost for Vice President with running mate Rodrigo Duterte, had accused ABS-CBN of allegedly giving more airtime to his opponents.
“Can anyone honestly say, after watching the coverage of the network during the 2010 and 2016 elections, that ABS-CBN did not take sides and favor any candidate? Or that personalities and politicians, who through the years have had strong affinity with the station, do not receive undue advantage during campaign season?” he said.
“It is primarily for this reason that we do not see the urgency of a hearing at this point. It will be tedious, contentious, and it threatens to drain the momentum that has allowed the 18th Congress to accomplish so much,” he added.
Because of Cayetano’s statements, netizens couldn’t help but criticize the congressman for his personal bias.
Kaya Natin Lead Convenor Harvey Keh tweeted that it was ABS CBN who helped the Cayetanos, by giving Rene Cayetano (Alan’s dad) a show on the network.
You know whats really sad? Pag hindi dahil sa ABS-CBN wala sanang Cayetano ang nasa Senado o Kongreso ngayon. It was ABS-CBN who introduced Alan Peter’s dad, Companero Rene Cayetano to the nation by giving him a show in the 90s. Ngayon, ito igaganti ni Cayetano sa kanila.
— Harvey Keh (@HarveyKeh) February 24, 2020
This is true. Pero kung sa batas at batas lang, nasabi na lahat kanina. Kahit hindi na sa usaping utang na loob.
Anong species si Cayetano kung ganun?
— Katniss EverNadine (@everNadine) February 24, 2020
Some even said that late Sen. Rene Cayetano is much better than Alan Peter Cayetano, his son.
I am really disappointed on this person because I love the humbleness of the late Sen. Rene Cayetano and I knew him as Companero. And please, let us not forget that his brother, Mayor Lito Cayetano, is a former director in ABS-CBN. The nerve to even say “sipsip”. Back to you po!
— Juvy Claire Enrile (@JuvyClairEnrile) February 24, 2020
ABS-CBN’s MMK also covered the life story of the late Sen. Rene Cayetano in 2010.
Cayetano even thanked ABS-CBN on his YouTube channel by posting an episode clip in 2015 for creating their father’s life story.
Apart from MMK, in 2013 the Cayetano siblings also guested on Gandang Gabi Vice, ABS-CBN’s late-night talk show. Alan Cayetano was a re-electionist senator during that period.
As of now, ABS-CBN’s fight for its franchise renewal is ongoing.
The House Legislative Franchises Committee finally held its first hearing on the bills that would extend the media network’s franchise on March 10t.
The hearing concentrated on the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) proposal by Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano to grant provisional operating authority to ABS-CBN while its bills for franchise renewal are pending in Congress.
None of the executives of ABS-CBN were invited to the hearing.
