J M
- He clarified that he understands those who turned their backs against the network as it is a difficult decision to make.
- He then admitted that he’s not sure about the future of the company as it’d “all in God’s hands now.”
The brother of Eugenio ‘Gabby’ Lopez III, Ernie Lopez has spoken up about the Congress’ decision to not grant ABS-CBN another 25-year franchise.
He said that the network had allies who turned their backs on them even before a House panel announced their verdict.
Lopez is the head of ABS-CBN Publishing which is a subsidiary of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation. In an interview aired less than an hour after the House Committee in Legislative Franchises rejected the network’s application, he thanked those who supported them throughout the journey and said that the situation has shown them who their real friends are.
“Gusto ko magpasalamat sa suporta, sa mga nanalangin. Sa panahong ito, nakita ho namin sino ang tunay na kaibigan, and we are thankful for that,” he stated.
Lopez clarified that he is not angry because he understands that they are in a difficult situation.
“Hindi ako naninisi, hindi ako nagagalit…sa mga umiiwas, sa dating kakampi na tumalikod, okay lang, naiintindihan ko, pahirapan talaga ngayon. I understand. Those who support us who did not want to come out, those who came out, nagpapasalamat kami.”
He did admit that he doesn’t know what will happen next but he does know that the situation is painful for all of them.
“I really don’t know what is going to happen next. ABS-CBN chief executive officer and president Carlo Katigbak will address the employees because of the House’s decision. I can only give my opinion, and I don’t represent my family, but yes, it is highly political, and I accept it. It is painful. It is all in God’s hands now.”
Amid the then-ongoing hearings regarding the franchise renewal, Joseph Stephen Paduano of Abang Lingkod and Ron Salo of Kabayan Party List surprisingly withdrew their authorship of the bills seeking to issue ABS-CBN a new franchise during the 13th hearing of the House committee on legislative franchises and the committee on good government and public accountability on July 9.
They stated that it is due to the media giant’s “failure to rebut allegations.”
Lawmakers Alfred Vargas, Loren Legarda, Dan Fernandez, and Yul Servo also showed no support for the Kapamilya network as they inhibited from voting on whether or not they approve of the franchise renewal.
