Manila Bulletin
Philippines
Gordon to vote for ABS-CBN franchise renewal despite anger at network's high rates for political ads
Philippines
Gordon to vote for ABS-CBN franchise renewal despite anger at network's high rates for political ads
Gordon to vote for ABS-CBN franchise renewal despite anger at network's high rates for political ads
Published May 9, 2020 09:46 pm
By Mario Casayuran
Senator Richard J. Gordon said today (May 9) he would vote for the grant of an extended franchise to the ABS-CBN network after airing his sentiments against the high advertising rates it charged senators and congressmen during election campaigns.
Sen. Richard Gordon
(Senate of the Philippines / MANILA BULLETIN) He added, "Pangalawa, nag-take sides kayo nung panahon ni (former President) Noynoy (Aquino), hayagan talaga.’’ (Second, you openly took sides during the term of Noynoy ) Gordon, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, said in a radio interview that the media network should "dramatically" reduce its rates as a part of the freedom of the press. TV networks charge hundreds of thousands of pesos for several seconds of political ads. "Karapatan niyo naman maningil, pero di ganoon kalaki. Bakit ang nangyayari, sinasabi niyo anti-corruption kayo, pero malalaki charges niyo sa TV. Pag nagbayad kami, manghihingi kami sa mga kaibigan namin, pag may lumapit na may hihilingin sa gobyerno, doon nagsisimula ang corruption. Dapat ibaba niyo dramatically 'yan para sa impormasyon ng tao,’’ he said. (It is your right to set your advertising rates, but not too much. You say you are against corruption, but you set such high rates for TV. We pay you from funds from our friends, and when they ask something from government, that's where corruption starts. You should dramatically drop rates, for the information of the people.) Sen. Imee R. Marcos had told Senate reporters that the media giant refused to accept her advertising money during the 2019 national elections. ABS-CBN had sided with the Aquinos during their fight against the Marcoses. After winning the 2016 presidential election, President Duterte attacked ABS-CBN for not airing his presidential campaign ads. To make matters worse, according to the President, the media network refused to refund his ad money. Asked about the ABS-CBN being a "press freedom" victim, Gordon said he is sure some radio stations are biased. But unless there are serious violations, Gordon said he would vote for the reopening of ABS-CBN. "'Yan ang sinabi ko sa ABS -- nagla-lobby sila sa akin, karapatan naman nila mag-lobby. Sinabi ko sa kanila, alam niyo kung talagang ako ang tatanungin niyo, marami kayong mali,’’ he said. (That is what I told ABS-CBN - they lobbied to me, they do have the right to lobby. I told them you know, if you ask me, you made a lot of mistakes.) "'Di nyo ako kailangan lapitan (You don't need to approach me), I will vote for the renewal of your franchise because I think its important in the rule of law we have freedom of media, freedom of expression,’’ he added. Queried whether ABS-CBN should seek a temporary restraining order (TRO) from the Supreme Court, Gordon replied: "As a lawyer, yes, I think they should go kasi (because) there are many precedents... I think they have good ground to do that, and freedom of expression and information, that is the hallmark of democracy, pero nasa mga mahistrado yan (but that is up to the magistrates)."
Sen. Richard Gordon(Senate of the Philippines / MANILA BULLETIN) He added, "Pangalawa, nag-take sides kayo nung panahon ni (former President) Noynoy (Aquino), hayagan talaga.’’ (Second, you openly took sides during the term of Noynoy ) Gordon, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, said in a radio interview that the media network should "dramatically" reduce its rates as a part of the freedom of the press. TV networks charge hundreds of thousands of pesos for several seconds of political ads. "Karapatan niyo naman maningil, pero di ganoon kalaki. Bakit ang nangyayari, sinasabi niyo anti-corruption kayo, pero malalaki charges niyo sa TV. Pag nagbayad kami, manghihingi kami sa mga kaibigan namin, pag may lumapit na may hihilingin sa gobyerno, doon nagsisimula ang corruption. Dapat ibaba niyo dramatically 'yan para sa impormasyon ng tao,’’ he said. (It is your right to set your advertising rates, but not too much. You say you are against corruption, but you set such high rates for TV. We pay you from funds from our friends, and when they ask something from government, that's where corruption starts. You should dramatically drop rates, for the information of the people.) Sen. Imee R. Marcos had told Senate reporters that the media giant refused to accept her advertising money during the 2019 national elections. ABS-CBN had sided with the Aquinos during their fight against the Marcoses. After winning the 2016 presidential election, President Duterte attacked ABS-CBN for not airing his presidential campaign ads. To make matters worse, according to the President, the media network refused to refund his ad money. Asked about the ABS-CBN being a "press freedom" victim, Gordon said he is sure some radio stations are biased. But unless there are serious violations, Gordon said he would vote for the reopening of ABS-CBN. "'Yan ang sinabi ko sa ABS -- nagla-lobby sila sa akin, karapatan naman nila mag-lobby. Sinabi ko sa kanila, alam niyo kung talagang ako ang tatanungin niyo, marami kayong mali,’’ he said. (That is what I told ABS-CBN - they lobbied to me, they do have the right to lobby. I told them you know, if you ask me, you made a lot of mistakes.) "'Di nyo ako kailangan lapitan (You don't need to approach me), I will vote for the renewal of your franchise because I think its important in the rule of law we have freedom of media, freedom of expression,’’ he added. Queried whether ABS-CBN should seek a temporary restraining order (TRO) from the Supreme Court, Gordon replied: "As a lawyer, yes, I think they should go kasi (because) there are many precedents... I think they have good ground to do that, and freedom of expression and information, that is the hallmark of democracy, pero nasa mga mahistrado yan (but that is up to the magistrates)."