Sarah Geronimo finally spoke up on Congress’ rejection of broadcast giant ABS-CBN’s franchise bid on July 10.
On Sunday, the singer released a statement on her Instagram account expressing her solidarity with co-workers in her home network.
“Bagama’t napakasakit po na matanggihan, patuloy pa rin kaming sumasamo, nakikiusap at umaapila, nagdadasal para sa aming hangarin na mabigyan muli ang aming minamahal na ABS-CBN family ng isa pang pagkakataon,” she wrote.
She expressed that she is one with the plea of her colleagues to return to work and grant the network another chance to serve the country.
“Nakikiisa po ako sa kanilang apila na muling makabalik sa trabaho upang patuloy na makapagbigay serbisyo para sa kani-kanilang mga pamilya at para sa bansa,” she said.
“Ako po si Sarah Geronimo, di lamang artista, isa ring mamayang Pilipino na umaapila para sa mga labi na apektado ng COVID19. Magtulongan po tayo, wag po tayo magwatak-watak. Ituon po natin ang ating pansin at pokus sa ating mga kababayan na sugatan at pasigaw ang humihingi ng saklolo dahil sa pagod, sakit, at pagdadalamhati,” she added.
Sarah’s statements came after actress Angel Locsin called out her fellow artists for staying silent on the issue last Saturday, July 18.
She urged her fellow actors to show solidarity with the other network employees who are at risk of losing their jobs following the Congress’ decision.
“Sa mga kapwa kong artista na di nagsasalita, ano, may career pa ba kayo? Wala na! Wala na kayong network! Kahit magpa-cute kayo dyan sa Instagram, mag-send kayo ng mga sad face, hindi niyo nadadamayan ang mga katrabaho niyo na dahilan kung bakit kayo sumikat,” she said.
Though she did not specify who these fellow Kapamilya artists are, this is the first time she openly called out those who chose to stay silent.
On Monday, Angel denied that she was pertaining to the singer. In a screenshot of a comment that is now being shared by Sarah’s fan accounts, Angel said she was glad that Sarah spoke up despite her not being active on social media.
“Nagsalita si Sarah 🙂 iniisip ng tao pinaparinggan ko sya, pero hindi eh. I know how ‘pure’ she is. Wala siyang social media, alam rin natin hindi sya vocal sa maraming bagay bilang ang bait. Pero nag salita sya. At nakakatuwa yun,” she said.
In an Instagram story, Angel expressed her gratitude to Sarah for speaking up.
“Thank you, Sarah G❤️ Mahal kita,” she wrote.