The high officials of ABS-CBN couldn’t hide their tears while listening to one of their employees who are afraid to lose their job amid the possible closure of the broadcasting company.
During the senate hearing on the franchise issues of ABS-CBN, Union President John Villanueva described how hard for the workers of the broadcasting company to think about their jobs that could lose when the network closes down.
“Nangangamba po kasi kami dahil po kung walang prangkisa ang ABS (CBN), kasama po kaming mga mangagawa na mawawalan ng trabaho,” Villanueva said.
“Umunlad po ang buhay ko at ng pamilya ko at lahat ng mga miyembro dahil po sa ABS-CBN, kaya po nangangamba ang lahat na hindi mabibigyan ng prangkisa ang ABS,”
When asked if there are other networks that are ready to accept them if ever that ABS-CBN closes down, Villanueva said that they’re still unsure about it.
“Sa tingin ko kasi even yung ibang istasyon po ay puno na rin po ng mga mangagawa, sa tingin ko ay mahihirapan na po kaming kumuha ng trabaho sa ibang kumpanya,” Villanueva stated.
ABS-CBN Chief executive officer Carlo Katigbak and chief operating officer (COO) of broadcast Cory Vidanes wipe their tears after hearing the emotional testimony of their employee.
Even Karen Davila who’s watching the senate hearing said that she was touched by the scene.
Was very touched seeing this. https://t.co/Vti7nVNlKc
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) February 24, 2020
Recently Katigbak said that they’re doing their best to make their company more pro-worker.
“We will continue to find ways to better take care of our employees. But it should allow us to sustain the help we give them. The fact workers call ABS-CBN their family is a sign that we’ve treated them well,” Katigbak said.
Despite the positive statement from their current employees, some former workers of ABS-CBN narrated how they were badly treated by the company in the past.
In a congressional hearing a few weeks ago, Journalie Payonan a former employee of ABS-CBN recounted that they tried to fight for their labor rights, but ended up getting fired by the company.
He also shared a story to prove how they were badly treated by the company, saying that his colleagues were invited to a hotel by ABS CBN Chairman Emeritus Gabby Lopez for a feast only to be told that they’re going to lose their jobs.
“Yung ibang kasamahan namin, pinatawag sa apat na hotel, pinakain ng masarap, may security guard para lang sabihin lang na ‘wala ka ng trabaho’, yung iba halos mabaliw kasi akala nila promotion eh,” Payonan told the lawmakers.