Ethyl Gabison, also known as Ethel Booba, showed her support to five unpopular lawmakers during the ABS-CBN franchise renewal hearings.
Due to this, she garnered backlash from netizens.
Aside from showing support for President Rodrigo Duterte, her twitter post showed support for lawmakers who not only voted against the network’s franchise renewal but also signed different bills seeking a probe linked to ABS-CBN properties and Lopez affiliated businesses.
The lawmakers in the said post are Rep. Michael ‘Mike’ Defensor; Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr.; Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla; Rep. Rodante Marcoleta; and Rep. Claudia Diana Bautista.
Ethel dubbed them as ‘The Sentinels’.
https://twitter.com/EthelBooba6/status/1293879021327937536
Netizens were quick to respond to the post.
Insensitive ka din no? Tnanggalan ng trabaho ang 11k workers sampu ng kanilang pamilya tapos gaganito ka? We will never forget this.
— lizadiaz (@tweetlizadiaz) August 13, 2020
Allegations by ‘the Sentinels’
During the hearing, the said lawmakers made different allegations against the network. These allegations included Sky Direct and TV Plus franchise issues, unfair labor practices, and tax evasion through the PEZA subsidiary Big Dipper.
After the franchise denial, the ‘Sentinels’ spearheaded by Rep. Claudia Diana Bautista and supported by Defensor, Marcoleta, Remulla, and Bargaza Jr., signed a probe into the ABS-CBN property, Lopez loans, and AMCARA. The House Resolution No. 1040 seeks to look into the loan write-offs by the Development Bank of the Philippines in favor of Lopez-affiliated businesses and properties.
On the other hand, Marcoleta signed HR 1058 on July 22 that seeks a congressional inquiry into the authenticity of ABS-CBN’s land title for the property on Mother Ignacia Street, Quezon City.
Lastly, Remulla filed HR 1015 seeking a congressional investigation into AMCARA Broadcasting Company’s broadcast franchise after allowing ABS-CBN to air their programs on channel 43.
