Duterte threatens to block renewal of ABS-CBN's congressional franchise Read more: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2017/04/27/duterte-threatens-block-renewal-abs-cbns-congressional-franchise-538846 Follow us: @sunstaronline on Twitter | SunStar Philippines on Facebookes on Facebook

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte revealed Thursday his plan to block the renewal of ABS-CBN Corporation's 25-year congressional franchise. Duterte, in an interview with reporters, said ABS-CBN would be able to secure a renewed franchise under his administration, as he expressed his disappointment over the country's largest television network. "The ABS franchise will be due but it does not need extension because it has been there for about 25 years. The law says it's okay, only if you adhere to journalistic," the President said. "But what have you done to us? Estafa, swindling. Not only me but also Escudero and others. You collected and committed estafa so I will file a complaint. Congress, need to renew it," he added. Duterte has a growing spat with the ABS-CBN for its supposed biased reporting during the 2016 presidential campaign. The President has repeatedly called the ABS-CBN's story on his alleged hidden wealth as “garbage.” He has also said that they would soon get their “karma” for “unfairness” in reporting. ABS-CBN failed to get a new legislative franchise for the operations of its television and radio for another 25 years before the 16th Congress adjourned in June 2016. ABS-CBN's franchise will expire on March 30, 2020.

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Digong warns: No franchise for ABS-CBN

President Rodrigo Duterte will block the renewal of the ABS-CBN’s franchise.
Duterte accused the network of “swindling” and slammed the media giant for supposedly not airing his political ad that was already paid during the campaign period last year.
Asked if he would block the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, he said: “NO.”
“If ganoon ka kaano, you’re engaged in swindling for all we know ilang kompanya dito na hindi n’yo pinalabas. If you operate, ABS-CBN, tapos manloloko lang kayo ng tao, mag-swindling kayo, I have to stop you, ’di ba?” he told reporters in an ambush interview in Malacañang.
“(The franchise) has been there for 25 years. The law said it’s okay, only if you adhere to journalistic standards,” he said.
ABS-CBN’s franchise will expire on March 30, 2020.
INQUIRER.net tried to reach ABS-CBN for comment, but it has yet to issue a statement as of posting time.
But in April, when Duterte first blasted the network, the owner of ABS-CBN Corp. brushed aside the President’s criticism of bias against the media giant, saying it came with the territory.
“It’s part and parcel of our work being a media institution,” Eugenio “Gabby” L. Lopez III, ABS-CBN chair, told a worried shareholder during the company’s annual meeting on April 27.
ABS-CBN and the Philippine Daily Inquirer were singled out by President Duterte among the media organizations that have showed or published what he deemed to be unfair or slanted reports about him, including those on his war on drugs. The death toll of the Philippine National Police’s anti-drug operations has drawn attention and condemnation in the Philippines and abroad.
“Let me just say, we have not yet encountered an administration that at one point or another had not had some issue with the media in general, and ABS-CBN in particular,” Lopez said.


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Duterte to block renewal of ABS-CBN franchise President Rodrigo Duterte says he will file a complaint with Congress against the network giant for 'swindling'

President Rodrigo Duterte is taking his fight against media up a notch by formally seeking to block the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.

Responding to questions in a media interview on Thursday, April 27, Duterte accused the network of “swindling.” He claimed ABS-CBN did not show his political ads during the 2016 campaign season though they were already paid for.

“has been there for 25 years. The law said it’s okay, only if you adhere to journalistic standards. What did you do to us? Estafa, swindling, not only me but Chiz Escudero, many of us. Son of a bitch, you collected outright then you commit estafa,” he said.

“So I will file a complaint. Congress, need to renew it. But to operate is something else, so I will point this out, your garbage, then we’ll see,” he added in an ambush interview right after he gave a joint press statement with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, who was on a state visit.

Asked if he would “block” the franchise of ABS-CBN, Duterte said, “Yes, if you’re engaged in swindling.”

The President bared his decision to block the franchise renewal days after he signed a law renewing the franchise of ABS-CBN's rival, GMA Network.

House Bill 4349 seeking to renew the franchise granted to ABS-CBN for 25 years is still at the committee level. The franchise will expire in 2020.

ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III had earlier sought to allay stockholders’ fears that Duterte’s tirades against the company will affect its franchise renewal, saying the anger of an administration towards media is “part and parcel” of the work of media.

Lopez had assured ABS-CBN stockholders on April 9 that he didn't "anticipate any significant issues" with regards to the franchise renewal, saying the company had plenty of time to work on it.

He gave the assurance to his stockholders after the President, in a thinly veiled threat, said in a public address on March 30 that karma was sure to catch up with ABS-CBN and the Philippine Daily Inquirer for their supposed unfair reports on his presidency.

"Tingnan kung magslant. Ewan ko ba. But someday – hindi ko tinatakot – but someday, 'yung karma, dadating 'yan (See how they slant. I don't know. But someday – I'm not scaring them – but someday, karma will come)," Duterte said nearly a month ago.

ABS-CBN has denied this. Chief Strategy Officer Raymund Miranda maintained the media company's "balanced" reporting.

"From a news and current affairs perspective, we have, and always will be, striving to report in a fair and balanced manner," he said.
Proposed plans of ABS-CBN Channel 2:

• Bring back the top-of-the-hour Station ID before "Ang programang ito ay hatid sa inyo ng....." and MTRCB Advisory
• Revival of "Batibot" on weekday mornings followed by a foreign drama while the general talk show "Magandang Buhay" moves to 11:05 a.m.

Duterte vows to block renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise Read more: http://business.inquirer.net/228463/duterte-vows-block-renewal-abs-cbns-franchise#ixzz4fS4A5v3T Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he would block the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.
Duterte accused the network of “swindling” and slammed the media giant for supposedly not airing his political ad that was already paid during the campaign period last year.
Asked if he would block the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, he said:  “Yes.”
“If ganoon ka kaano, you’re engaged in swindling for all we know ilang kompanya dito na hindi n’yo pinalabas. If you operate, ABS-CBN, tapos manloloko lang kayo ng tao, mag-swindling kayo, I have to stop you, ‘di ba?” he told reporters in an ambush interview in Malacañang.
“Has been there for 25 years. The law said it’s okay, only if you adhere to journalistic standards,” he said. ABS-CBN’s franchise will expire on March 30,  2020.
INQUIRER.net tried to reach ABS-CBN for comment but it has yet to issue a statement as of posting time.
But in April, when Duterte first blasted the network, the owner of ABS-CBN Corp. brushed aside the President’s criticism of bias against the media giant, saying it came with the territory.
“It’s part and parcel of our work being a media institution,” Eugenio “Gabby” L. Lopez III, ABS-CBN chair, told a worried shareholder during the company’s annual meeting on April 27.
ABS-CBN and the Philippine Daily Inquirer were singled out by President Duterte among the media organizations that have showed or published what he deemed to be unfair or slanted reports about him, including those on his war on drugs. The death toll of the Philippine National Police’s anti-drug operations has drawn attention and condemnation in the Philippines and abroad.
“Let me just say, we have not yet encountered an administration that at one point or another had not had some issue with the media in general, and ABS-CBN in particular,” Lopez said.
He should amend the renewal franchise. Make it 25 years

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Duterte signs measure renewing GMA franchise

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed into law extending the franchise of GMA Network, Inc. for another 25 years.

Mr. Duterte on April 21 signed Republic Act (RA) No. 10925, which grants the renewal of franchise of Republic Broadcasting System, Inc., now known as GMA Network, Inc.

The law requires GMA Network to provide free public service time -- equivalent of 10% of all its ad time -- to the government to relay important public announcements and warnings.

The network is also required to make closed captioning available for its programs.

“The franchise shall be subject to amendment, alteration, or repeal by the Congress of the Philippines when the public interest requires and shall not be interpreted as an exclusive grant of the privileges herein provided for,” RA 10925 read.

“The grantee, its successors or assignees shall comply with the applicable labor standards under existing labor laws, rules and regulations and such other issuance as may be promulgated by the Department of Labor and Employment, taking into consideration the nature and peculiarities of the broadcast industry,” the law added.

GMA Network reported its net income surged 72% to an all-time high of P3.64 billion in 2016, on the back of an “outstanding performance in sales” and “managed growth in total spending” in an election year.

Total revenues went up 21% to P16.67 billion last year, which include about P1.5 billion in election-related placements.

“The boost from the national elections held during the first half of the year coupled by the upbeat turnout from regular advertising placements buoyed the Company’s top line for the twelve month-period ended Dec. 31 this year,” the company said in a regulatory filing. -- I.N.P. Cigaral

No wedding date yet for Erwan and Anne?

Filipino-French celebrity chef and entrepreneur Erwan Heussaff and actress Anne Curtis are engaged but they’ve not revealed when exactly they’re tying the knot.

It was in 2011 when Anne admitted she and Erwan were a couple and reports about their engagement surfaced  especially after Anne met with Erwan’s parents.

Anyway, the newest about Erwan is, he was recently named the brand ambassador of the noted international luggage and bags label, American Tourister. It’s something he welcomed because he loves to travel, both for business and for leisure.

“I travel as much as possible,” he said. “I get a little itchy and antsy when I stay in one place too long.”

• • •

‘Movie Queen’

After six decades in the industry, Ms. Gloria Romero proves she’s still the “Movie Queen” that she used to be during her peak years as actress and one of the top stars of Sampaguita Pictures. In a recent press conference, Gloria, aptly attired as the “Millennial Lola” that she is now known (courtesy of her role on “Meant To Be”), said, “I am so blessed that at my age – I’m now 83! – nabibigyan pa ako ng mga proyektong ganito,” referring to “Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko,” a family-oriented GMA Sunday show that will start airing on April 30.

“I am overwhelmed because this is a wonderful project. I am flattered kasi kinuha nila ako sa ganitong concept ng show. Who would have thought that at my age, I will play the role of a fairy? Ibang-ibang ito sa lahat ng nagawa ko na,” Gloria added.

But won’t she be overworked, considering the fact that she’s also in the GMA primetime show “Meant To Be,” we asked. Well, Gloria said no, she won’t be since taping for “Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko” will be on Saturdays only, and she’s not always needed everyday on “Meant To Be.”

Aiming to shape children’s values through its stories, “Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko” narrates the magical adventures of Lola Goreng (Gloria Romero) and her grandchildren Alice (Jillian Ward) and Elvis (David Remo). Living with them is Moira (Chlaui Malayao) who thy found in the streets. Also in the cast is Julius Miguel who plays Jorrel.

Gloria admires her young co-stars for their love of their craft. “Sa totoo lang, itong mga batang kasama ko dito, ang gagaling. I can see their passion in acting. Minsan, nahihiya nga ako kasi ako ang madalas magkamali. Sila, they can deliver their dialogues right away. Alam nila agad ’yung lines nila. They come to the set prepared. So, ako nahihiya whenever nagkakamali ako,” she humbly related.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, April 27, go to Elmo Magalona, Jason Gainza, Manilyn Reynes, Jackie Kookoorichskin, Chiqui Ocampo, Pepe Pimentel, Josefa Pastrana, Rosita Z. Fragas, Alfred de Leon, Terry P. Villanueva, Erlinda S. Pastoral, Paz Bendicio Medina, Paz Bendicio Medina, Mark Kelvin Alipio, Shalani Soledad-Romulo, Thea Inocentes, Anching Torillo and Jocelyn Giogar…  April 28: “Eat Bulaga’s” Vic Sotto, awarded director Chito Roño, Rosemarie Sonora, Chato Manera, Gene Palomo, Mrs. Prudy Vijungco, Liela S. Salgado, Tess Lopez, New York-based Marvin M. Sampilo, Dennis Belen of Hawaii, Sarah Kay M. Guilla, Loisa Andalio and Eva F. Merlin... Happy wedding anniversary to Senator Francis Pangilinan and Sharon Cuneta; Rep. Lucy Torres and Richard Gomez; and Ryan Agoncillo and Judy Ann Santos...