A week after broadcast giant ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal bid was denied by the House of Representatives, Kapamilya star Angelica Panganiban finally broke her silence on the state of her home network.
The actress took to Twitter to lament the company’s looming retrenchment program for its employees.
“Nanahimik dahil hindi kayang buuin ng salita ang nararamdaman ko. Galit, takot, pangangamba. Ilang buwan nang nag iisip paano na ang kasamahan namin sa trabaho. Ang pamilya nila. At dumating na ang araw na napakahirap tanggapin,” she wrote.
Angelica said the country’s lawmakers should have put the nation first instead of their personal interests.
“Serbisyo para sa bayan ang dapat na inuuna ng mambabatas natin. Sa ginawa nila, sarili nila ang inuna nila. Sa totoo lang, hindi po namin responsibilidad ang mga empleyado na nawalan ng trabaho. Pero nandito kami. Nagsasalita, para sa kanila. Bakit? Kasi siguro yun ang makatao,” she said.
She then asked the public to treat them as humans who just lost their livelihood. “Paano niyo kayang sikmurain na pag tawanan ang kapwa ninyo Pilipino na nawalan ng kabuhayan?” she asked.
On July 10, members of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises rejected the application of the media network for a fresh 25-year franchise to continue its radio and TV broadcast operations.
In the aftermath of the franchise non-renewal, ABS-CBN released a statement on July 15 informing the public that they will begin their retrenchment program by the end of August.
“We are doing all we can to mitigate the pain that will be felt by those affected, including paying out separation and retirement benefits and providing job placement programs. The loss of their jobs come at a time when the uncertain and perilous impact of the COVID 19 pandemic further makes our decision truly difficult, but inevitable,” they said.
They also explained that the retrenchment program will ensure the employment of the rest of their employees.
Veteran journalist Ces Drilon and DJ Chacha of MOR are among the ABS-CBN personalities who have announced that their divisions are among the casualties of the layoff of employees.
