POSITION PAPER

ABS-CBN’s Battle from its Undesirable Circumstances

ABS-CBN, being one of the most profound press, network, and television
channel in the Philippine industry had closed its doors to the masses. Its shutdown
was promulgated by the Duterte administration after series of conflicts against
the National Telecommunication Commission, the Congress franchise legislative,
and other disputes. Long story short, its franchise was completely ceased on May
4, 2021. When it comes to press freedom, Filipinos have the right to appeal
especially when the commoners are being afflicted. Until this day, I certainly have
reservations as a Filipino citizen, towards Congress’s decision in exterminating
ABS-CBN. Severe inhibitions of the administration against the network suggest
biased coalitions of the government and further undermines the press freedom,
thus ditching the ABS-CBN workers and the impoverished sectors, and deluding
Filipino citizens by make-believing ABS-CBN as the scapegoat.

The heated discord between Rodrigo Duterte and ABS-CBN was mainly the
starting point for withholding the network’s ability to operate. Going back, it was
1995 since ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation renewed their franchise under R.A.
7966, and 21 years later in 2016, they filed a bill for franchise renewal and refiled
it once again in 2019. For merely 4 years, the branches of the government
disregarded the approval of ABS-CBN’s franchise even though it wasn’t a complex
procedure. Besides, the 2017 speech of Rodrigo Duterte about the ABS-CBN not
airing his campaign ads should be the main fuel for his hatred for the network.
Consequently, the ABS-CBN had lost their battle in the 70-11 ‘yes or no’ voting for
revoking the ABS-CBN franchise. This decision comes from the congress members
for the legislative franchises, with the majority bloc dominating the lead from
members of “Coalition for Change” which is formed by supporters of Rodrigo’s
administration. For this reason, it is foreseeable that ABS-CBN’s fate is in the
hands of its mighty enemy.

After the ABS-CBN’s collapse, it affected the press freedom and the
economy of the Philippines. Instantly, 11,000 workers from the network have lost
their jobs, from the ABS-CBN’s internal staffs, actors, and personalities, as well
as their essential workers. Likewise, anyone had lost access to ABS-CBN after May
5. The media giant had lost its connection from its regional franchises when it
comes to delivering news and entertainment on radio and television. For instance,
this chilling effect was felt when Typhoon Ulysses had struck the Luzon and when
Cagayan Governor Mamba suggested how the Cagayan were caught blindsided by
lack of information in Typhoon Ulysses with the ABS-CBN’s Tuguegarao network
shuttered. Additionally, it is fairly the same for the ABS-CBN Regional from
Northern Luzon, Bicol, Southern Tagalog, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and
Northern Mindanao, among others. Although ABS-CBN had recently established
their Kapamilya Online Live through internet Livestream, the prevailing digital
divide especially in far-flung areas has taken the rural minorities for granted.

To clarify the true nature of my stand, the cease and desist order of ABS-
CBN was done not only for their liability against Duterte but supposedly they are
also accused of several violations against the law. Firstly, they were accused of
avoiding tax payment according to House Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta
following ABS-CBN’s tax evasion case. Second, ABS-CBN was also rebuked for its
law violation at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for its
uncompliant labor laws. The third is the US citizenship of Eugenio Lopez III, the
chairman emeritus of ABS-CBN and lastly, other queued complaints hamper the
networks to access their franchise. As a clap back, all of the resolves from each of
these issues were presented. BIR attested ABS-CBN as a constant taxpayer from
2016-2019. DOLE also cleared the labor violations after ABS-CBN set their
corrective measures and re-evaluated them last year. For US citizenship, Eugenio
was born with both Filipino parents, so he is naturally a Filipino citizen. Still,
because of Congress’s vote and Duterte’s pressure to close down the network, the
ABS-CBN, its workers, and Filipinos were suffering from a great loss just because
of an unaired ad, a mere issue that could be arranged and compensated by ABS-
CBN.

In conclusion, it was unfair for ABS-CBN for a groundless conclusion the

Congress has made. ABS-CBN had to pay a price for the things they didn’t even
commit and in addition, press freedom has also been threatened. Indeed, the great
loss doesn’t only come from the ABS-CBN since the families of the ABS-CBN
workers were also gravely aggravated, a huge liability that our government
politicians don’t care about despite the ongoing adversities amid the pandemic. The
bitter end of the ABS-CBN must be a silver lining for us, Filipinos, to choose who
should vote for wisely, and to cross-check where are they affiliated to. It is in our
hands to educate other Filipinos about what is happening behind things others were
unaware of.
 REFERENCES

Paragraph 1

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1268851/calida-warns-ntc-vs-granting-provisional-
authority-to-abs-cbn

Paragraph 2

Evidence 1:

[ANALYSIS] Duterte and Congress closed down ABS-CBN

https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/analysis-duterte-congress-
closed-down-abs-cbn

Evidence 2:

https://www.cnn.ph/news/2020/7/10/How-lawmakers-voted-ABS-CBN-
franchise-.html

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/787547/from-3-to-300-pdp-laban-forms-
supermajority-in-house

https://www.congress.gov.ph/download/docs/hrep.house.rules.pdf

Paragraph 3

Evidence 1:

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1427319/abs-cbns-ordeal-and-its-chilling-effect-on-
media

Evidence 2:

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1360703/after-abs-cbn-shutdown-lack-of-ulysses-
warning-made-cagayan-residents-suffer-robredo

Paragraph 4:

Counterclaims:

https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/opinion-moment-truth-abs-cbn-
franchise
https://www.rappler.com/nation/doj-asserts-abs-cbn-gabby-lopez-filipino-citizen-
since-birth