ABS-CBN Vice Chairman Augusto Almeda-Lopez revealed that President Rodrigo Duterte once had a television program on ABS-CBN, which lasted for more than 15 years.
This was revealed by the Vice Chairman of the Network, Augusto Almeda-Lopez, during the 6th House Joint Panel hearing on the ABS-CBN franchise.
“Maybe I should mention here that President Duterte used to have a program at ABS-CBN. He had a program for more than 15 years,” Almeda-Lopez said.
“There were several stations in Davao but he chose ABS-CBN.”
The program the ABS-CBN Executive was referring to was Mula sa Masa, Para sa Masa, a weekly public service and talk television program hosted by President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, together with Rocky Ignacio.
For 17 years, Duterte appeared every Sunday morning on his TV show “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” on ABS-CBN Channel 4 Davao, a regional television station, and was heard simultaneously on the DXAB radio station.
Technically, the president was a “Kapamilya” star. Launched in 1998 when Duterte was representative of the 1st district of Davao City, “Gikan sa Masa” was Duterte’s weekly contact with his constituents, apparently to ensure his continued presence among the Dabawenyos, for whom he served as mayor from 1988 to 1998.
Almeda-Lopez, also a former ABS-CBN General Manager, lauded the efforts of the country’s media network, such as its delivery of entertainment and news to the public, as well as its charitable works through the ABS-CBN Foundation.
“I mention this because ABS-CBN is fighting for its life. I think it’s my responsibility as a senior member of this company to explain to the members of this Congress that I think we really deserve the renewal of our franchise.”
Almeda Lopez is not related to the Lopez family, but was General Manager of ABS-CBN from 1966 until the station was shut down when dictator Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in 1972.
