J M
- He added that he is also saddened by such an outcome but said that it was the “decision of the Filipino people” to let the network remain closed.
- He then said that employees can just apply for assistance from the government.
Netizens wasted no time calling out Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque after he claimed that the Palace had “maintained a neutral stance on the issue” regarding media giant ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.
People pointed out that President Rodrigo Duterte has constantly expressed his disappointment in the Kapamilya network ever since he ran for the presidency.
Duterte has also said that he will make sure that the network’s franchise won’t be renewed after it expires.
“Mayroon po bang malaking kawalan dahil hindi nabigyan ng franchise ang ABS-CBN? Aaminin ko po, mayroon po,” he said in a press briefing.
“Noong ako po’y naging tagapagsalita, malaki rin po naging utang na loob ko dahil number 1 naman po talaga sa reach ang ABS-CBN. Nalulungkot po ako na dumating sa punto na hindi po na-renew ang prangkisa.”
Neutral my ass https://t.co/KWnpMnPmcf pic.twitter.com/eZG1E2az1t
— Pau (@pauloftherose) July 11, 2020
Neutral kuno
Patay na si uto
Last year pa sinabi shutdown ung ABS
Mga hunghang kayo
Napakakupal nyo talaga kahit kelan https://t.co/7wQ02XF2uh— lesyeuxdelili_ (@lemons_18) July 10, 2020
https://twitter.com/kara_delrosario/status/1281606933414391808
https://twitter.com/swangirlwannabe/status/1281601384790364160
From December 2019. It has been clear from the very beginning. #DefendPressFreedom https://t.co/NQGyY41Dz2 pic.twitter.com/FQ3PqM8qR2
— Jhesset O. Enano (@JhessetEnano) July 10, 2020
Roque also expressed that he is also “saddened” by the decision of the House Committee on Legislative Franchise to reject ABS-CBN’s application for another 25 years of operations.
Netizens then called him indecisive and a liar.
This shit can't decide ⤵️ https://t.co/vMCXxbhe3Q
— JuzEmi || Emi (@JuzEmi) July 13, 2020
https://twitter.com/mpbElRey/status/1282648223711199233
https://twitter.com/alphalter1/status/1282644591053664260
This was after Roque claimed that the rejection was a “decision of the Filipino people.” This was immediately called out by big personalities in the industry.
70 lawmakers in a committee are NOT the Filipino people. Please. https://t.co/9FQOMgTzSm
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) July 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/ChieFilomeno/status/1281868171444510720
What do you call a person who can tell so many lies (without blinking), and not feel bad about it?
This guy is hopeless. https://t.co/o1lCyonz79
— Teta Limcangco (@teta_limcangco) July 12, 2020
A netizen then slammed Roque’s statement by showing a graph from the recent SWS survey saying that those who wish for ABS-CBN’s franchise to be renewed is larger than those who wish it won’t.
https://twitter.com/iamdexter143/status/1282383213403557888
“Huwag po kayong mag-alala … nandiyan po ang ating Presidente,” the spokesperson then said as he tries to console the employees of ABS-CBN who are now on the brink of losing their jobs.
https://twitter.com/jvnrey/status/1282602882466897926
Ha Ha Ha……Roque is joking again…..this guy's worse than Panelo. https://t.co/wqkJbbpMwz
— Mackie Cui (@MackieCui) July 13, 2020
https://twitter.com/kwen_SpringDay/status/1282652402718392322
Where where where? A president who appears only at midnight? https://t.co/mcvCMF96Dp
— The Whistler (@renelaw24) July 13, 2020
https://twitter.com/pedestrianpaul/status/1282639535524859911
He added that the workers can file a loan from the government to build their own businesses.
