Senator Richard J. Gordon said today (May 9) he would vote for the grant of an extended franchise to the ABS-CBN network after airing his sentiments against the high advertising rates it charged senators and congressmen during election campaigns.
He added, “Pangalawa, nag-take sides kayo nung panahon ni Noynoy , hayagan talaga.’’ Gordon, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, said in a radio interview that the media network should “dramatically” reduce its rates as a part of the freedom of the press.
“Karapatan niyo naman maningil, pero di ganoon kalaki. Bakit ang nangyayari, sinasabi niyo anti-corruption kayo, pero malalaki charges niyo sa TV. Pag nagbayad kami, manghihingi kami sa mga kaibigan namin, pag may lumapit na may hihilingin sa gobyerno, doon nagsisimula ang corruption. Dapat ibaba niyo dramatically ‘yan para sa impormasyon ng tao,’’ he said. Sen. Imee R. Marcos had told Senate reporters that the media giant refused to accept her advertising money during the 2019 national elections. ABS-CBN had sided with the Aquinos during their fight against the Marcoses. After winning the 2016 presidential election, President Duterte attacked ABS-CBN for not airing his presidential campaign ads. To make matters worse, according to the President, the media network refused to refund his ad money. Asked about the ABS-CBN being a “press freedom” victim, Gordon said he is sure some radio stations are biased.“‘Yan ang sinabi ko sa ABS — nagla-lobby sila sa akin, karapatan naman nila mag-lobby. Sinabi ko sa kanila, alam niyo kung talagang ako ang tatanungin niyo, marami kayong mali,’’ he said. “‘Di nyo ako kailangan lapitan , I will vote for the renewal of your franchise because I think its important in the rule of law we have freedom of media, freedom of expression,’’ he added. Queried whether ABS-CBN should seek a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court, Gordon replied: “As a lawyer, yes, I think they should go kasi there are many precedents… I think they have good ground to do that, and freedom of expression and information, that is the hallmark of democracy, pero nasa mga mahistrado yan .”
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Even animal rescue workers will miss ABS-CBN, its role promoting their advocacy
Read more »
Cayetano: NTC 'succumbed' to SolGen pressure to shutter ABS-CBN
Read more »
BASAHIN: Ang katotohanan sa mga akusasyon ng FICTAP laban sa ABS-CBN
Read more »
Palace: Unlikely for Duterte to veto ABS-CBN franchise bill unless there are legal woes
Read more »
Lagman: Speaker Cayetano, House leaders to blame for ABS-CBN shutdownHouse Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on ABS-CBN shutdown: We were all ambushed by the NTC. I promise you — there will be a reckoning. Congressman Edcel Lagman earlier said that Cayetano should carry the blame for sitting on bills renewing ABS-CBN's franchise
Read more »