Aragones appeals to Duterte to show compassion to ABS-CBN employees

By Charissa Luci-Atienza

Laguna Representative Sol Aragones appealed on Tuesday (Dec. 31) to President Rodrigo Duterte to  “reconsider his position” on the non- renewal of television giant ABS-CBN’s legislative franchise or the networks’s sale.

She also expressed hope that the Chief Executive would show concern and compassion to the employees of ABS-CBN who will be adversely affected by either option.

“I appeal to the President to reconsider his position on the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, as its non-renewal or its sale to third parties may threaten the livelihoods of over 11,000 employees––many of whom I worked with during my stint as a reporter in the network,” she said in a text message when asked to comment on Duterte’s suggestion to put ABS-CBN up for sale as he is against the renewal of the network’s franchise.

“The past three-plus years have shown that the President’s actions are guided by his concern and his compassion for our people,” Aragones said.

Aragones is one of the principal authors of a bill seeking to renew the ABS-CBN franchise for another 25 years.

“The President has consistently displayed tapang (toughness) and malasakit (concern) during his tenure in Malacañang, and I appreciate and respect how these have translated to policy pronouncements,” she said.

“As chairman of the House Committee on Tourism,  I have personally seen firsthand how presidential directives with regard to Boracay and Manila Bay have resulted in the successful rehabilitation of these two tourist spots and the strict implementation of environmental laws that will preserve these sites for generations to come.”

The Lopez-owned broadcasting firm would have to close down its operations by March 30, 2020 if its application to extend its legislative franchise is not granted.

In a speech before earthquake victims in M’lang, North Cotabato on Monday,  Duterte said it would be better for the Lopezes to sell its network,  hinting at the possibility that its franchise will not be granted.

Palawan Rep.  Franz Alvarez,  chairman of the House committee on legislative franchises,  earlier said his panel would tackle the nine bills on the network’s renewal in early 2020.

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano had said the House of Representatives will give due attention to the measures concerning freedom of the press,  including the  proposed renewal of the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN Corp.

He said like with any other hearing, it is the obligation of Congress to be “fair” and “to bring out those real issues and to give the other side the opportunity to respond and determine who is right.”

Last year, Duterte publicly declared that he would oppose the renewal of ABS-CBN’s legislative franchise.

The President  repeatedly launched tirades against ABS-CBN for its refusal to run his advertisements during the 2016 election campaign and for showing an ad critical of him.

Among the authors of the franchise bills are Aragones, Nueva Ecija Rep.  Micaela Violago,   Deputy Speakers Vilma Santos and Baby Arenas, Occidental Mindoro Rep.  Josephine Ramirez-Sato, Cagayan de Oro Rep.  Rufus Rodriguez, and Albay Rep.  Josey Salceda.

The House of Representatives during the previous 17th Congress failed to act on the bills.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/12/31/aragones-appeals-to-duterte-to-show-compassion-to-abs-cbn-employees/