The controversial issue affecting the licence renewal of the Philippine’s largest network, ABS CBN ended last Friday, July 10, 2020 with the declaration of the network’s application, rejected. This marks the end of 34 years that the TV network has provided entertainment and public service to a large number of the Filipino viewing public – in the Philippines and overseas.

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In an online article on Time Magazine,  Human Rights Watch, a US-based human rights group said that the lawmaker’s vote was “a grievous assault on press freedom in the country” and the greatest blow to media freedom caused by any government act since then dictator Ferdinand Marcos shut the broadcasting giant and other media outlets after declaring martial law in 1972.

ABS-CBN President and CEO, Carlo Katigbak has this to say about the decision...

We are deeply hurt that the Committee on Legislative Franchises has denied the franchise application of ABS-CBN. We believe that we have been rendering service that is meaningful and valuable to the Filipino public. Nevertheless, we would like to thank the Committee for allowing us a chance to air our side on all the issues raised against us.

ABS-CBN would like to thank all the congressmen who stood by their bills to renew our franchise, or who spoke out on our behalf during the hearings. We are forever grateful.  
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We also thank everyone who expressed their support and offered their prayers for us.  We could not have gotten to this point without you.
 
We remain committed to public service, and we hope to find other ways to achieve our mission.  Together with our employees and our audiences all over the world, we share in your sadness over this setback.  We look forward to the day when we can again reunite under our broadcast.  Mga Kapamilya, thank you for keeping the faith with us.
 
Kapit lang, muling magliliwanag ang kwento ng bawat Pilipino.” ctto

On July 11, supporters of the network staged a noise barrage in to express their disappointment of the decision of the congress and to protest for the more than 11,000 people who have lost their jobs.

cttoWhile motions to reconsider or reverse this decision is still underway, ABS CBN continues to serve the public through these platforms:

cttoGuaranteeing continued service to the Filipinos in Australia, The Filipino Channel (TFC) Country Manager for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, Jay Santos sends out this official message:

ctto “Our parent company, ABSCBN Corporation, suffered a huge setback for its free to air broadcasting platform when it was formally denied its franchise renewal on 10 July 2020 by the Philippine House of Representatives. We want to assure everyone that even in the face of unprecedented challenges to our industry and to our enterprise, ABSCBN Global through its flagship product TFC, remains robustly operational and continues to deliver the best of Filipino programming all over the world. TFCs operations and commitment to service continues!”

Our hearts go to everyone who lost their jobs, and  to our friends who have given their lives to help ABS-CBN thrive. Our prayers are with you. 

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