Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc on Monday made their case for the renewal of ABS-CBN's broadcast franchise, saying the House of Representatives should not "weaponize" its authority to grant franchises.
In her sponsorship speech for House Bill 6052, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas urged her colleagues to defend ABS-CBN's right to broadcast, saying the network has been a hallmark of Philippine democracy.
"The grant or non-grant of a franchise should not be weaponized to exert pressure on media reportage... [H]uwag kayong matakot na manindigan para depensahan ang mahalagang haligi ng ating demokrasya. Pagsilbihan natin ang interes ng nakararaming mamamayang Pilipino," Brosas told lawmakers at the House of Representatives.
The House committees on legislative franchises and good government convened Monday to again deliberate on 12 bills and 4 resolutions pertaining to ABS-CBN's franchise application as well as its alleged violations.
According to Brosas, freedom of the press is enshrined in the Constitution and cannot be set aside to justify the shutdown of ABS-CBN.
"[W]e cannot blindly insist on the primacy of the laws to justify the non-renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise – when media freedom, in all its vibrancy and varied interpretations – is explicitly guaranteed in our very own Constitution," she said.
Brosas hinted at a "bigger force" behind the move to close down ABS-CBN.
"Ang batas daw ay batas kaya hindi puwedeng magpalabas. Pero hindi kaya may kumukumpas para itigil ang palabas?... Is there a bigger force behind this?" she asked.
COMBATING FAKE NEWS
Meanwhile, Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate, also from the Makabayan bloc, said ABS-CBN has "undeniably" played an important role of being a "chief source of information" for Filipinos.
"Undeniably, applicant ABS-CBN Corporation through the years continuously performs such an important function acting as one of the chief sources of information so that our citizens would be informed of government actions and of the peoples' needs, aspirations, and grievances," Zarate said.
Zarate noted that ABS-CBN's presence in the media landscape is crucial in this "era of fake news."
"Especially, too, in this era of fake news when deliberate information — many even coming from officials and government agencies — is being spread like a virus among our people in all platforms, particularly social media... ABS-CBN can play a crucial role to counter this pernicious scheme," he said.
Zarate also touted ABS-CBN's readiness to assist in the government's push for distance learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Clearly, with the national presence of applicant ABS CBN, its accessibility and proven track record to produce quality educational content, it could effectively perform such a mandate in the new normal in education," Zarate said.
He also urged his colleagues to protect the livelihood of ABS-CBN's 11,000 workers by granting its application for a fresh franchise.
"It is within our power not to add to the current state of massive unemployment by renewing the franchise of applicant ABS-CBN in the most expeditious manner. We have the power not to exacerbate the rising unemployment rate in our country," he said.
news.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/01/20/congress-franchise-powers-should-not-be-weaponized-lawmaker-tells-colleagues
Monday, June 1, 2020
Lawmakers who started out at ABS-CBN push for network's franchise renewal
Former ABS-CBN employees turned lawmakers on Monday pushed for the renewal of company’s franchise, saying it went above and beyond its obligations of a broadcast network by helping those in need.
During a House joint panel tackling ABS-CBN’s franchise bid, Laguna 3rd District Rep. Sol Aragones said the Philippine media conglomerate had distributed 12 million relief goods to calamity victims since 2009, built and repaired hundreds of classrooms and gave some 300,000 scholarship grants, among many others.
“In my 13 years as an employee in this company, I remember so many stories of hopes and dreams, of chances and choices, of struggles and triumphs, of love and everything, as in memories that will last me a lifetime,” she said.
“But there’s one thing I can never forget. ABS-CBN was not only interested in reporting the news, but it went above and beyond the obligations of a broadcast network by helping those in need. No matter how few they may be, no matter how far they may be. Truly, simply, ABS-CBN stood for then as it stands for now in the service of the Filipino,” she added.
Aragones, who previously worked as reporter for the company, said ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation’s emergency humanitarian assistance program “Sagip Kapamilya” had provided assistance to victims of natural calamities.
Bantay Bata, the foundation’s child welfare arm, has also protected abused Filipino children, she said.
The lawmaker also cited the contributions of the foundation’s environmental arm “Bantay Kalikasan” in relieving the plight of farmers and fishermen.
“All of these, and many more, is what ABS-CBN is all about. Over and above the news and entertainment, it stood for then, as it stands for now, in the service of the Filipino. This is my personal knowledge. This is my personal experience,” she said.
“And I am sure that all of the more than 11,000 employees of the company at present know and experience the same. Alam kong nauunawaan niyo po ang pinanggagalingan ko bilang isang dating empleyado ng istasyon (I know you will understand where I am coming from as a former employee of the station),” she added.
Parañaque City 2nd District Rep. Joy Myra Tambunting, who is among the pioneer employees of ABS-CBN in the 1980s, said the network shaped her career in many ways.
“My mentors in ABS-CBN taught me a lot about work. The value of work, hard work, respect for work, accuracy, love and respect for coworkers, and most of all, the dignity of work from God. These lessons help me mold me of what I am today,” she said.
Meanwhile, Nueva Ecija 2nd District Rep. Micaela Violago, who is the first lawmaker to file for ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal in the 18th Congress, said the network had been at the forefront of providing TV and radio programming service for 7 decades, here and abroad.
“In acknowledgement of ABS-CBN accomplishment and the capital requirement of its operation, the immediate grant of its franchise is recommended to ensure that ABS-CBN could continue fulfilling its mandate of being the service of the Filipino,” she said.
Violago further stressed ABS-CBN’s role while the country is facing the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Most especially now that the country is in the middle of ongoing pandemic. We can’t in any way undervalue the huge role that ABS-CBN plays for the Filipino people,” she said.
Antique Rep. Loren Legarda, a former ABS-CBN broadcast journalist, also raised concerns for the network’s employees amid the COVID-19 crisis.
The state broadcast regulator issued a cease-and-desist order against the network on May 5, a day after its broadcast franchise expired. It was the second time the network went off air, the first was when former dictator Ferdinand Marcos imposed martial rule in 1972.
The company had repeatedly applied for the renewal of its broadcast franchise since 2014.
Some 12 bills granting the network a fresh 25-year franchise have been sitting under the 18th Congress, but the House Committee on Legislative Franchises only conducted its first hearing on March 10.
While the network complied with the National Telecommunications Commission's order, it ran to the Supreme Court to seek an injunction, saying it was denied of its constitutional right to equal protection of the law.
In the absence of its vital revenue stream, the company, which employs 11,000 employees throughout its various subsidiaries, mulls retrenchment as the company loses P30 million to P35 million daily.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/01/20/lawmakers-who-started-out-at-abs-cbn-push-for-networks-franchise-renewal
During a House joint panel tackling ABS-CBN’s franchise bid, Laguna 3rd District Rep. Sol Aragones said the Philippine media conglomerate had distributed 12 million relief goods to calamity victims since 2009, built and repaired hundreds of classrooms and gave some 300,000 scholarship grants, among many others.
“In my 13 years as an employee in this company, I remember so many stories of hopes and dreams, of chances and choices, of struggles and triumphs, of love and everything, as in memories that will last me a lifetime,” she said.
“But there’s one thing I can never forget. ABS-CBN was not only interested in reporting the news, but it went above and beyond the obligations of a broadcast network by helping those in need. No matter how few they may be, no matter how far they may be. Truly, simply, ABS-CBN stood for then as it stands for now in the service of the Filipino,” she added.
Aragones, who previously worked as reporter for the company, said ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation’s emergency humanitarian assistance program “Sagip Kapamilya” had provided assistance to victims of natural calamities.
Bantay Bata, the foundation’s child welfare arm, has also protected abused Filipino children, she said.
The lawmaker also cited the contributions of the foundation’s environmental arm “Bantay Kalikasan” in relieving the plight of farmers and fishermen.
“All of these, and many more, is what ABS-CBN is all about. Over and above the news and entertainment, it stood for then, as it stands for now, in the service of the Filipino. This is my personal knowledge. This is my personal experience,” she said.
“And I am sure that all of the more than 11,000 employees of the company at present know and experience the same. Alam kong nauunawaan niyo po ang pinanggagalingan ko bilang isang dating empleyado ng istasyon (I know you will understand where I am coming from as a former employee of the station),” she added.
Parañaque City 2nd District Rep. Joy Myra Tambunting, who is among the pioneer employees of ABS-CBN in the 1980s, said the network shaped her career in many ways.
“My mentors in ABS-CBN taught me a lot about work. The value of work, hard work, respect for work, accuracy, love and respect for coworkers, and most of all, the dignity of work from God. These lessons help me mold me of what I am today,” she said.
Meanwhile, Nueva Ecija 2nd District Rep. Micaela Violago, who is the first lawmaker to file for ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal in the 18th Congress, said the network had been at the forefront of providing TV and radio programming service for 7 decades, here and abroad.
“In acknowledgement of ABS-CBN accomplishment and the capital requirement of its operation, the immediate grant of its franchise is recommended to ensure that ABS-CBN could continue fulfilling its mandate of being the service of the Filipino,” she said.
Violago further stressed ABS-CBN’s role while the country is facing the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Most especially now that the country is in the middle of ongoing pandemic. We can’t in any way undervalue the huge role that ABS-CBN plays for the Filipino people,” she said.
Antique Rep. Loren Legarda, a former ABS-CBN broadcast journalist, also raised concerns for the network’s employees amid the COVID-19 crisis.
“Having been part of this news organization from 1986 to 1998 before I became a senator, those were the years that formed a great part of my life, which I cherished. I stand for the corporation’s 11,000 employees and more, composed of the rank and file, talents, professionals, my previous coworkers who are facing uncertainty with regard to their jobs and sources of income and livelihood at this worst possible time as we face the COVID-19 pandemic. Let us all help them and let us help the industry,” she said.Brosas: Is it really a coincidence that the solicitor general and the NTC are acting independently on the issue of ABS-CBN in accordance with their supposed mandates? Or is there a bigger force behind this? | via @IanEsguerra #ABSCBNfranchise— ABS-CBN News Channel (@ANCALERTS) June 1, 2020
The state broadcast regulator issued a cease-and-desist order against the network on May 5, a day after its broadcast franchise expired. It was the second time the network went off air, the first was when former dictator Ferdinand Marcos imposed martial rule in 1972.
The company had repeatedly applied for the renewal of its broadcast franchise since 2014.
Some 12 bills granting the network a fresh 25-year franchise have been sitting under the 18th Congress, but the House Committee on Legislative Franchises only conducted its first hearing on March 10.
While the network complied with the National Telecommunications Commission's order, it ran to the Supreme Court to seek an injunction, saying it was denied of its constitutional right to equal protection of the law.
In the absence of its vital revenue stream, the company, which employs 11,000 employees throughout its various subsidiaries, mulls retrenchment as the company loses P30 million to P35 million daily.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/01/20/lawmakers-who-started-out-at-abs-cbn-push-for-networks-franchise-renewal
Multiply Announces Plan To Reopen
“We regret to announce that Multiply will be closing on May 6, 2013, and ceasing all business operations by May 31, 2013,” it announced last April 26, 2013 on its website.
After May 6, the rest of the month will be used to ensure that all accounts are settled and merchants get full payment for their transactions, it said.
Multiply said the month-long grace period will provide its users enough time to find and migrate to alternative e-commerce platforms, settle all payments on items bought and delivered, and minimize disruption to businesses of its users.
“Multiply will ensure that you receive all funds you earned on the platform no later than May 31, 2013. We will close the actual marketplace sooner, on May 6, 2013, to ensure that all orders have sufficient time to complete and be delivered to your customers before the end of the month,” it said.
In December 2012, Multiply stopped its social networking service to focus on e-commerce, targeting the 350 million consumers in Indonesia and the Philippines.
Multiply was the site of dreams. Aisle upon aisle of hosted blogs, videos, photos and messaging was something rare.After May 6, the rest of the month will be used to ensure that all accounts are settled and merchants get full payment for their transactions, it said.
Multiply said the month-long grace period will provide its users enough time to find and migrate to alternative e-commerce platforms, settle all payments on items bought and delivered, and minimize disruption to businesses of its users.
“Multiply will ensure that you receive all funds you earned on the platform no later than May 31, 2013. We will close the actual marketplace sooner, on May 6, 2013, to ensure that all orders have sufficient time to complete and be delivered to your customers before the end of the month,” it said.
And then, a spark of hope shone through the darkness. In October 2019, The Washington Post reported the website might make a comeback… eventually.
Now new reports say that comeback could happen as soon. CBS News reported that Multiply social network is now being managed by Multiply Media LLC.
Multiply Media LLC is reportedly planning to take the website worldwide.
The Multiply.com webpage began to display a series of messages suggesting a return of Multiply.com social network was imminent. In an interview on newspapers, television and radio stations and news websites in the Philippines, founder and chairman Peter Pezaris, president, CEO and owner Stefan Magdalinski and country manager for the Philippines Jack Madrid described their plans to relaunch the former social networking website with retrieve blogs, photos and videos in accounts from 2004 to 2013.
Multiply is back from the dead, but its new features are unrecognizable
Seven years after shutting all its operations, Multiply is making a comeback.
The company is re-opening their social networking portion and bringing back its website. But don’t expect the Multiply you’re used to.
The revamped Multiply is owned by Multiply Media LLC based in Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.
For years, Mulltiply was the world’s preeminent social networking site. The company was founded in December 2003.
In recent years, though, it had fallen into disarray and had billions in debt, much of it from a 2005 leveraged buyout.