Robin Padilla on ABS-CBN shutdown: We want it changed, not closed

MANILA, Philippines — Action star Robin Padilla aired his thoughts on Tuesday on the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) order to stop the operations of ABS-CBN, saying that he only wanted “change, and not for the network to completely shut down.

“Ang nais natin ay pagbabago sa abscbn hindi ang pagsasara nito,” Padilla, a known staunch supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte, said in a now-deleted Instagram post.

Padilla said ABS-CBN’s franchise should be acted upon immediately, saying that people need information during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

“Nasa panahon tayo ng humahagupit pa ang mata ng covid 19 sa labas ng mga bahay natin at nagbabanta na makapasok at manalanta hindi po mainam na magtagal ang pagsasaayos ng franchise ng aming network ito ang oras para harapin ito dahil kailangan ng information ng mga pilipino sa buong mundo at lalong kailangan ng trabaho ng nasa industria ng telebisyon at pelikula,” he said.

[We are at a time where the eye of COVID-19 is outside of our homes, and is threatening to enter. This is not the time to prolong the franchise renewal of our network, this is the time to face its since Filipinos all over the world need information, and especially since people in the television and movie industry need work.]

The NTC ordered ABS-CBN to stop its operations as its franchise expired on Monday, May 4.

Under Republic Act No. 3846 or the Radio Control Law which states that “no person, firm, company, association, or corporation shall construct, install, establish, or operate a radio transmitting station, or radio receiving station used for commercial purposes, or a radio broadcasting station, without having first obtained a franchise therefor from the Congress of the Philippines.”

But 11 bills on the network’s franchise renewal remain pending before the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.

Padilla then called for an “urgent” hearing on the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.

“Umpisahan na kagyat ang pagdinig dito at unahin harapin ang mga dapat baguhin,” the actor said.

[Let us start with the urgent meeting on this, and we should prioritize what needs to change.]

“Mga kababayan nasa peligro ang bawat buhay ng Pilipino at ang economia ng bansa naniniwala ako na ang lahat ngayon ay bukas sa pagbabago at handang sumunod sa kung ano ang dapat, maitawid lang nating lahat sa pagsubok at makaahon ang Inangbayan Pilipinas,” he added.

[My fellowmen, every Filipino’s life, and our economy are in danger, and I believe that everyone is open to change, as well as following what should be done, just so we could set things rights and we rise for our motherland.]

/atm