Kapamilya broadcast journalist Karen Davila gamely answered a netizen who reacted to her tweet about E-Sabong and the ABS-CBN franchise.
In her tweet, Karen noted the irony behind the non-suspension of E-Sabong following a Senate resolution and the shutdown of ABS-CBN even without compelling reasons.
Included in her tweet is a picture of the Office of the President’s memo directing the PAGCOR to maintain a status quo on e-sabong’s licenses which means it should continue to operate.
“PRRD’s reponse to the senate reso to temporarily suspend E-SABONG? ITULOY.
“E Sabong licensees will remain unaffected” Ang ABSCBN ipinasara, ang E Sabong na sugal na nakakasira ng milyong buhay ng Pilipino – ok lang!”
PRRD’s reponse to the senate reso to temporarily suspend E-SABONG?
ITULOY. “E Sabong licensees will remain unaffected”
Ang ABSCBN ipinasara, ang E Sabong na sugal na nakakasira ng milyong buhay ng Pilipino – ok lang! pic.twitter.com/77SsVsEjys
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) March 9, 2022
E-sabong has been a controversial topic recently following the disappearance of at least 34 e-sabong players.
The Senate has investigated the matter and passed a resolution urging PAGCOR to suspend “the license to operate of “E-sabong” operators and to immediately stop all activities related to “E-sabong” until the cases of the missing ‘sabungeros’ (cockfighter) are resolved.”
Malacanang however did not consider the Senate’s decision.
Meanwhile, her tweet caught by netizen @micoysan who reacted and said ABS-CBN’s franchise is given by Congress and not by the Office of the President.
“Hmmm Congress yung di nagbigay sa inyo ng franchise, hindi OP.”
Hmmm Congress yung di nagbigay sa inyo ng franchise, hindi OP.
— mike (@micoyako) March 9, 2022
Karen quickly replied and educated the commenter about the scenario–while Congress has the task to review and grant broadcast franchises–it is a given knowledge that the President has control over the legislative branch.
Karen even mentioned how Duterte admitted in one of his speeches in Jolo the day after Kapamilya network’s franchise got rejected that he dismantled an oligarch without declaring martial law.
“Obviously. Yes, Congress gives the franchise but we all know it was an imprimatur of the President. No less than PRRD admitted it during his speech in Jolo the day after the franchise was denied. ‘I dismantled the oligarchy without declaring Martial Law.’ Look it up. @inquirerdotnet“
Obviously. Yes, congress gives the franchise but we all know it was w imprimatur of the President. No less than PRRD admitted it during his speech in Jolo the day after franchise was denied, “I dismantled the oligarchy without declaring Martial Law” Look it up. @inquirerdotnet https://t.co/1vfiZ8iLfw
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) March 9, 2022
ABS-CBN has been shut down for almost two years now following NTC’s cease-and-desist order in May 2020 and the subsequent franchise denial in July of the same year.
But before the rejection of 70-Duterte allied and Cayetano-led congressmen–different experts and government officials have testified that ABS-CBN did not violate any provision of its franchise.
All of their resource persons from the BIR, the SEC, DOLE, PEZA, and the DOJ testified that ABS-CBN complied with all the law requirements.
