MANILA, Philippines — After the House of Representative denied media giant ABS-CBN of a new franchise, celebrities expressed concern over the employees who will lose their livelihood in the midst of a pandemic.
Actress and vlogger Alex Gonzaga lamented the decision in a series of Twitter posts on Friday, emphasizing how employees are grappling to make a living as the media giant remains shut.
“Lahat tayo pilit nagtutulungan para halos lahat ng kababayan natin makasurvive sa pandemic. And now madadagdagan pa lalo ang mawawalan ng trabaho sa gitna ng crisis. I am now praying for my kapamilyas na tunay na mawawalan ng kabuhayan at pagkakataon. Lord pls help us,” Gonzaga said.
(Everyone is helping each other to help our countrymen survive during this pandemic. And now, more will lose their jobs while we are in the middle of a crisis. I am praying for my Kapamilyas who lost their livelihoods and chance. Lord please help us.)
Lahat tayo pilit nagtutulungan para halos lahat ng kababayan natin makasurvive sa pandemic. And now madadagdagan pa lalo ang mawawalan ng trabaho sa gitna ng crisis 😭😭 I am now praying for my kapamilyas na tunay na mawawalan ng kabuhayan at pagkakataon. Lord pls help us.
— Alex Gonzaga-Morada (@Mscathygonzaga) July 10, 2020
“Small and big businesses are trying to adjust and maging lenient sa mga patakaran nila. Employees are understanding their employers if they cut back their salaries. Everyone is trying to help each other because we are all struggling to survive a crisis. Nahihirapan ako unawiin,” she added.
(Small and big businesses are trying to adjust and be lenient in their rules. Employees are understanding if their employers cut back their salaries. Everyone is trying to help each other because we are all struggling to survive a crisis. I’m having a hard time understanding.)
Small and big businesses are trying to adjust and maging lenient sa mga patakaran nila. Employees are understanding their employers if they cut back their salaries. Everyone is trying to help each other because we are all struggling to survive a crisis. Nahihirapan ako unawiin 😭
— Alex Gonzaga-Morada (@Mscathygonzaga) July 10, 2020
Actress Liza Soberano, on the other hand, apologized to affected employees.
“Wish I could hug everyone I love from ABS-CBN right now,” Soberano said in a tweet.
“To all the employees who are greatly affected by this. I’m sorry. I’m sorry they aren’t sorry,” she added.
To all the employees who are greatly affected by this. I’m sorry. I’m sorry they aren’t sorry.
— Liza Soberano (@lizasoberano) July 10, 2020
Actress Anne Curtis was also among the celebrities saddened by the House decision which greatly affected not only the employees but also ABS-CBN’s bosses and audience.
“I am lost for words. My heart breaks for everyone that is affected by this…. from our bosses to all the employees and the loyal viewers of ABSCBN…. It is indeed a very sad day. I know people won’t forget this,” Curtis wrote on her Instagram page.
ABS-CBN president Carlo Katigbak earlier said they may start retrenching employees by August if they fail to secure a franchise.
The House committee on legislative franchises, voting 70-11, denied to grant ABS-CBN a new congressional franchise to resume its operations.