MANILA, Philippines — Broadcasting giant ABS-CBN’s franchise will expire in two months should Congress fail to renew it and some of the biggest names in show business have been making their voices heard, supporting and rallying support for the network.
Celebrities have been sharing an online petition started by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), which calls on Congress to “do what is right and immediately pass the bill to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise.”
Under Republic Act No. 3846, television and radio broadcasting companies must secure a franchise from the government before they can operate.
The petition, posted in change.org, needs to gather one million signatures.
🖋❤💙💚🖋
Please sign the petition.
So many lives will be affected by the jobs that will be lost 💔https://t.co/3KZZr8zhZS
— Anne Curtis-Smith (@annecurtissmith) January 20, 2020
“Please sign the petition,” Kapamilya actress and “It’s Showtime” host Anne Curtis urged her followers on Twitter. “So many lives will be affected by the jobs that will be lost.”
Curtis’ co-host, Vice Ganda, said that by signing the petition, it is showing “love and Support for the network that is our FAMILY.”
Love and Support for the network that is our FAMILY.
Sign and Share. https://t.co/WO7inSTK4S— jose marie viceral (@vicegandako) January 20, 2020
Even Tony Award winner Lea Salonga manifested her support to ABS-CBN even as she explained that she was “not gonna lie” that she has “personal and professional reasons” for sharing the online petition.
Yes, I have personal and professional reasons for this one. Not gonna lie. https://t.co/tuj4QWvquu
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) January 19, 2020
Jolina Magdangal-Escueta also shared the petition via her Facebook page while Marvin Agustin did the same on his Twitter account.
“Praying for this one,” Agustin said on Twitter.
Praying for this one🙏🏻 #NoToABSCBNShutdown ABS-CBN: One million for ABS-CBN's franchise – Sign the Petition! https://t.co/rq5crSqIYn via @ChangePilipinas
— IG: @MarvinAgustin (@marvin_agustin) January 20, 2020
“Let’s do this,” Magdangal-Escueta said on Facebook.