Action for Economic Reforms, its officers, fellows, partners, and friends denounce the arbitrary cease-and desist order against ABS-CBN. Such politically motivated action undermines the whole-of-society effort to beat COVID-19.
Media organizations, including ABS-CBN, play a critical public service role in fighting COVID-19. The dissemination of information and the facilitation of coordination through communication networks are indispensable for the collective action to fight COVID-19. The continuation of ABS-CBN operations serves public health; it serves the public good.
It is a supreme and most tragic irony that a media organization that is doing public service in the time of COVID-19 is being singled out to close down but non-essential Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) are being allowed to open despite the danger they bring in transmitting infection.
The cease-and-desist order is legally contestable. The Secretary of Justice previously issued a statement that, based on a Supreme Court precedence, ABS-CBN can continue to operate as long as its application for franchise renewal is pending in Congress. In this regard, the Senate has adopted a resolution for the issuance of a provisional authority to ABS-CBN.
Meantime, Representative Franz Alvarez, the Chairman of the House Committee on legislative franchises criticized Solicitor General Jose Calida for pressuring the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to issue the cease-and-desist order. He continued: “We would like to make it clear that Congress takes this matter very seriously as it directly challenges our exclusive Constitutional authority to grant, deny, extend, revoke, or modify broadcast franchises.”
Nevertheless, the leadership of the House of Representatives, specifically Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, must be made accountable for delaying the action on the franchise renewal. This makes Speaker Cayetano and his political faction complicit in the conspiracy to close down ABS-CBN.
We likewise score the NTC for bowing to political pressure. We condemn Solicitor General Calida for his political arbitrariness; for ditching national cohesiveness in fighting COVID-19 to give way to his opaque interests.
From the perspective of addressing the country’s health and economic survival, we no longer need to speculate whether President Rodrigo Duterte is bent on inflicting harm on ABS-CBN or is playing a political charade to ultimately look good. This action of closing down ABS-CBN sends a signal that the administration does not care about national unity and is more concerned about political vendetta. This sets back our long fight against COVID-19.
The political backlash is now happening. Tragically, the Filipino people will suffer most—with their lives and their health at stake— from this political turmoil that this administration has created amidst the pandemic.
Signatories (as of 12:00pm, May 8):
Michael M. Alba
Fernando Aldaba
Luz Anigan
Krupskaya Anonuevo
Felipe Q. Buencamino
Jessica Reyes-Cantos
Jenina Joy Chavez
Jerik Cruz
Buenaventura Dargantes
Jo-Ann Latuja-Diosana
Eddie Dorotan
Laurence Go
Cielito F. Habito
Yusuf Ledesma
Alberto (Bertie) A. Lim
Fides M. Lim
Cielo Magno
Manuel (Butch) F. Montes
Michael Ocampo
Rene Ofreneo
Victoria Viterbo Quimbo
Rene R. Raya
Rina Maria P. Rosales
Filomeno S. Sta. Ana III
Zak Yuson
Florencia Casanova-Dorotan
Dr. Abundio Balgos
Ken Abante
Maria Fe Villamejor-Mendoza
Annie Enriquez Geron
Gerry Bulatao
Miguel Dorotan
Sally Bulatao
Alfred Dicto
Meldin Al Roy
Elizabeth Lolarga
Ma. Doreen Era Denorte
Earl Parreno
Kaloy Manlupig
Marivic Penaflor
Christian Ramilo
Imelda Deinla
Adrian Adove
Ben Endriga
Lila Shahani
Vince Rafael
Lulu Reyes
Didi Poblador-Mendoza
Mae Sevilla
Jay Carizo
Lourdes Padilla
Susan V. Tagle
Menandro Berana
Jen Fabros
Alce Quitalig
Manolette Gonzalez
Fe Manapat
Isaiah Anthony Mateo
Rose Teves
Elai Lasap
Verge Gepuela
Marge Polintan
Felice Noelle Rodriguez
Ines Avellana-Fernandez
TR Gutierrez
Marlene Destreza Ramirez
Allan Borreo
Elsie Borreo
Jose Leonidas
Patricia Fe Gonzales
Osamu Yamada Pandak
Tony de Castro
Rene Bong Magtubo
Odette Padilla
Myrna Jimenez
Norly Grace Mercado
Annie Serrano
Maria Veronica Tayag
Cheen Layman
Cory Luarca
Ward Luarca
Maxine Tanya Hamada
Jing Lopez
Chin Chin Tan
Borgy Eab Santillan
Ram Bonifacio
Alejandro M. Gapasin
Nila Carpio
Das Zaballero
Julie Dacanay Paran
Toix Cerna
Bonn Juego
Maria Jovita Zarate
Diogenes Osabel
Marie Osabel
Nina Lim-Yuson
Hazel Villarosa
Joseph Marquez Aquino
Eli Guieb III
Nenette D. Pacoli
Ernesto Lactao
Loida Corpus
Ancieta Baltar
George Lang
Segundo Eclar Romero
Fernando Santos
Alice Lim
Bimboy Dbusti
Julius Abujuela
James Paul H. Esguerra
Girlie Sinadjan
Lucky Mand
Lito San Antonio
Alim Norud
Leona Alexandra
Luz Amandolina C. Navasero
Doods Santos
Laplana Alona-Alegre
Grace Martinez Pamandanan
Patricia M. Sarenas
Ernie Amechachurra
Rogie Tangco
Luz Retuya
Eusebio R. Jacinto Jr.
Rosa Villa Gerardo Oclarit
Nerisa L. Mercado
Marivic Vazquez
Natividad Abad Aquino
Roy Bero
Leah Castro
Eliza Beth
Ser Pena-Reyes
Lilli Ann Latuja
Severo Balabas
Patricia Malay Kho
Cecila Lero
John Paul Balayon
Cory Bataclan-San Juan
Rosemarie Johnson Herrera
Amihan Abueva
Ed Qui
Letty Cortan
Mina Siason
Judith Estor
Joey Silva
Florencio Esteban
Violeta Roque
Maria Perpetua Robles Guzman
Cathy Segura Tanedo
Felix Tanedo
Sherry Palencia Verzola
Mary Lou Alcid
Teresita Marie Bagasao
Joyce Caragay
Kay Abano Raya
Cecilia Padilla Famatigan
Antonio Estrada
Anne Umali
Diego Maranan
Bullit Marquez
Francia Clavecillas
Fides Bagasao
Meyan Mendoza
Milagros S. Serrana
Ma. Paulita Sta. Ana Sales
Tess Nuestro Domingo
Pakito Yeneza
Ronee Juanengo
Eric Cruz
Lynn Capones
Teresa Habitan
Bonnie Banzon
Marti Espenido
Marion Villanueva
Julita Sison
Seth Papasin
Annabelle Jayco
Agnes Lopez Manasan
Gloria B. Caronan
Rochit Tanedo
Maria Ines Pinat
Mary Lou Alcid
Elizabeth Narvarte-Pucate
Rick Esguerra
Mariden G. Bebak
Pilita Venturanza
Joey Mendoza
Julie Dacanay Paran
Antonio La Vina
Lolita dela Cruz
Mike Limjap
Lirio Calixto
Christian Payumo
Gio Dexter Santos
Robert John Guarino
Patrick Acupan
Brenda Orosco
Anna Diana Mole
Faith Macale