ACT CIS party-list Representative Eric Go Yap claimed that someone from ABS-CBN wanted to bribe him with a big amount of cash to favor the Kapamilya Network’s franchise.
Yap made the said revelation after some media outlet reported that some lawmakers were trying to pressure other congressmen to vote against ABS-CBN.
He also denied the un-official voting tally circulating on social media, showing the votes of 46 members of the Committee on Legislative Franchises and 46 House leaders or ex-officio members.
“Meron pang listahan na nilabas na boto daw ng mga Kongresista kahit na malinaw na malinaw na wala pang nangyayaring botohan. Why use unverified information? Do not mislead the public,” said Yap.
He then claimed that someone who claimed as ’emissary’ of ABS-CBN offered him P200,000,000 in favor of the franchise.
However, he refused the money, explaining that he’s not for sale.
“More than two weeks ago, may tumawag sa atin, nagpakilalang emisaryo ng ABS CBN at hinihimok tayong bumoto pabor sa ABS CBN kapalit ng 200 Million pesos. Simple lang ang sagot ko, hindi for sale ang prinsipyo at boto ko,” Yap stated.
“Nilabas ko ba sa media? Hindi. Dahil hindi tayo sigurado kung emisaryo nga ng ABS CBN yun at unfair naman na malalagay sa alanganin ang pangalan ng ABS CBN dahil sa kanya at unfair din maging sa proceedings ng Joint Committee na tumatalakay sa issue ng prangkisa nila. May nadinig tayo na iba pang kaso gaya nito pero hindi natin nilabas dahil hindi din verified ang mga information na yun,” he added.
Yap strongly believes that the ‘press freedom’ in the country is still alive, but there’s few journalists who chose to show their biases without thinking if they’re writing a factual news report.
Meanwhile, former interior secretary Rafael Alunan III urged Yap to reveal the identity of the ’emissary’ from ABS-CBN.
“You’re a congressman. You’re expected to be lawful. Do not hide the identity of the alleged wrongdoer. Otherwise, your declaration is worthless and mere black propaganda,” said Alunan who also supported the franchise of ABS-CBN.
ABS-CBN has yet to release a statement on the claims of Yap.