A netizen writes an open letter to ABS-CBN, reminding the broadcasting company that the Filipinos can still live normally without them.

In a Facebook post by netizen Joe Smith Medina against ABS-CBN, claimed that the Philippine government has the right to remove the franchise of the broadcasting network anytime.

“You don’t own the license, it’s owned by the Philippines. Katulad ng alinmang lisensya ito ay pinahihiram lang sa atin ng estado na kahit kelan ay pwedeng kunin din ng estado,” Medina said.

“We are reminding you that Franchise is not a right but a privilege. As a privilege it is subject for assessment, investigation, revocation, award or suspension. Don’t also project that you are the representative of Freedom of the Press,” he added.

“Don’t pressure the Philippines and its institutions for the sake of your business which spreads propaganda, fake news and editorial broadcasting,” he also said.

Medina also believed that the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN should not be prioritized by the lawmakers as there are more important issues that should be addressed by Congress.

The netizen said that the broadcasting company should stop acting like a God and insisting that their network is a basic necessity for every Filipinos.

“Your issue isn’t important, the pressing issues now are about improving the lives of the Filipinos, liberating our economy and most of all distributing the fruit of our economy to the Filipinos,” he said.

“Mabubuhay pa din ang Pilipinas at Pilipino ng wala kayo, hindi kayo ang gumagawa ng hangin, puno, pera, damit, pagkain, tubig, at higit sa lahat hindi kayo Diyos. Kapag nagsara kayo patuloy pa din iikot ang mundo, hindi kayo ang sentro ng buhay namin,” he added.

He said that the freedom of the press is still there despite the issues being faced by ABS-CBN, mentioning media outlets that being criticized by President Duterte, but still operating.

Medina also cited several politicians that are still in their position despite being a critic of the President.

“Our democracy is very liberated under Duterte, the freedom of expression is very vibrant,” he said.

ABS-CBN is facing franchise issues after President Duterte became a vocal critic of the broadcasting company.

Despite the apology from Kapamilya executives, the President didn’t tell if he already changed his mind.

Source: Joe Medina

Senator Ronald Dela Rosa expressed frustration over the decision of his twelve colleagues to push a resolution asking the Supreme Court about the role of the Senate in the termination of treaties like the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

In a statement, Dela Rosa declared that the seven senators who decided to abstain in the voting, including him, are now the part of the minority as the other members of the supposed senate majority also voted in favor of the resolution.

“We are the new minority,” Dela Rosa told the press.

“Sinasabi nga na may kaniya-kaniya tayong isip pero kung doon tayo sa political side of it, majority against minority, dapat majority palagi ang mananalo but we were not able to get the majority vote,” he added.

However, he denied that he’s not open to accepting the ideas of his colleagues.

“Ang gusto daw nila para maging statesman ang dating mo, iba ang paningin mo. Sorry, I am not a statesman. Ordinaryong senador lang ako, ‘di ako statesman. ‘Yun lang ang makaya ko ngayon. ‘Di ako statesman pa,” he said.

He also explained why asking the Supreme Court is already unnecessary, citing that the constitution already defined the limit of the Senate when it comes to termination of treaties.

“I believe there is no need for this body to ask the Supreme Court. The constitution is clearly written. I am not a lawyer but ang alam ko there is a legal maxim that what the law does not include, it excludes,” Dela Rosa stated.

“Very clear ang sinabi ng constitution kung hanggang saan lang tayo,” he added.

The 1987 constitution says nothing if there’s a need for a Senate vote when the Philippines decided to leave an agreement.

Even Senator Francis Tolentino, who also abstained in voting told his colleagues that they should respect the power of President Rodrigo Duterte who led the termination of VFA.

“Wala akong nakitang probisyon dito na kasama ang Senado sa pag-abrogate ng isang tratado. Igalang po natin ang kapangyarihan ng Pangulo sa pagpasok sa tratado. Dahil ang Saligang Batas ay walang sinasaad tungkol sa abrogation at shared power, sa aking palagay ay dapat hindi tayo makialam,” Tolentino said.

Senators Vicente Sotto III, Franklin Drilon Francis Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros, Panfilo Lacson, Miguel Zubiri, Joel Villanueva, Sonny Angara, Nancy Binay, Richard Gordon, Ralph Recto, and Lito Lapid voted in favor of the resolution.

Those who abstained are Senators Imee Marcos, Christopher “Bong” Go, Francis Tolentino, Ronald Dela Rosa, Cynthia Villar, Koko Pimentel, and Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr.

The man who led a hostage-taking in an establishment in San Juan City got unusual support from the netizens who believed that he’s fighting for inequality.

The 9-hour hostage standoff ended on Monday night after the former security guard, Archie Panay released the victims who are all workers of the establishment and allowed to talk to the media despite being still armed.

Panay revealed that he experienced inequality and saw the corruption being performed by the higher officials of the mall and his former security agency SASCOR.

He accused the higher security officials of SASCOR of asking P5,000 from the tenants of the mall.

When Panay told San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora that he preferred to end up in the cemetery after the presscon, the authorities started to move to disarm the hostage-taker.

Despite the successful move of law enforcers against Panay, some netizens didn’t like what they did to the security guard.

“Una sa lahat wala ng laban yong Guard” dahil nakapalibot ang Pulis & Swat sumuko na at mahinahon siyang nagbigay ng kanyang saloobin pwede siyang arestohin ng maayos bakit kaylangan dambahin dumogin..? ang OA nyu mga pasikat!“ netizen Ronald Eli said.

“Is the pinning down by so many authorities really needed?” Czari Oliveras commented.

“Nakaka dismaya yung mga pulis there were no resistance kay kuya and kitang kita naman na wala siyang planong tumakas or what so ever, at that point planting of evidence ay pede nila magawa how they tuckle and approach the suspect and para palayuin yung media from the scene, too fishy for their action,” netizen 김큰솥 said.

A netizen even stated that Panay is just fighting for his right, but in the wrong way.

“Salute to this guy- A real brave man speaks not only for himself instead speak for the others that has been treated wrong by their employers/bosses and other upper management even the consequences for his action is his life. Brave man but in the wrong situation. May god bless you sir.” Walter Estamo remarked.

Some even dedicated a poem for Panay, telling the world that he’s also a father, and a victim but stood up to speak against the corruption of his former superiors.

“He is brave, but he is wrong.
He is a victim, but he stood up to speak.
He is poor, but he has dignity.
He is a worker, but he deserves respect.
He is a guard, but he also needs protection.
He is human, and he has his right.
He has less in life, but he has more in law.
He is a father.
He is a husband.
He is a co-worker.
He is a friend.” the Facebook page wrote.

Despite the support from the netizens, Panay is going to face multiple charges.

Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio captured the attention of the internet again after she did another good deed while doing her motorcycle-riding hobby.

According to the report of TV Patrol Mindanao, Mayor Inday Sara helped a 57-year-old man who fell to his motorcycle along Brgy. Madaum, Tagum City on Sunday.

The investigator Police Corporal Alexander Catarata said that the victim fell to his motorcycle while trying to evade a dog crossing the road.

Mayor Inday Sara’s group is just driving next to the victim, so the presidential daughter immediately stopped to help the latter.

However, another security personnel of Inday Sara also fell to his motorcycle while evading the victim.

According to Duterte, she’s with Marinduque Rep. Lord Alan Velasco when the incident happened.

“We then brought the two to the nearest hospital for medical assistance. The two men are now recovering,” Inday Sara said.

Netizens couldn’t hide their amazement after they saw the report about the presidential daughter.

Some even said that they’re going to support Inday Sara if she’s going to run in the 2022 presidential elections.

“I salute you mayor Sarah duterte .. manang Mana kapo talaga Kai president .. Sana marami pa kayong matulungan ..Godbless po,” Joana Gitanes said.

“Yan ang mayor namin maganda na matulungin pa pero gwapo din sya minsan hehehehe mana sa kay tatay Digs,” netizen Ivan Ballarez commented.

“Swerte parin si manong.. Aside si mayor naka hawak sa kanya. Im sure bibigyan pa yan ng assistance.. Pagling ka manong.. Sayang yung saging,” netizen Dodong Espera remarked.

A netizen believed that Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio could win the presidential elections in 2022, citing several reasons.

On a lengthy Facebook post, netizen Pamela Saavedra said that President Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter is one of the biggest contenders for the presidency because of her popularity, strictness, bravery, and other traits she got from her father.

According to Saavedra, Mayor Inday Sara’s style of enforcing the law is more strict than her father and urged netizens to visit Davao City if they are curious about how the presidential daughter is taking care of her city.

Saavedra also cited the popularity of the Mayor on social media and how the latter is engaging with her followers, including her critics.

She also cited the things that Inday Sara didn’t get from her father, including the cursing habit of the President.

The netizen then mentioned Inday Sara’s profession, advocacy, and personality that being admired by other people.

You can read her post below:

Bakit posibleng si Mayor Inday Sara ang magiging susunod na Pangulo ng bansa? (A humble opinion by: Pamela Saavedra)

1. Sabi ng kanyang tatay na si Digong, mas mahigpit pa daw si Inday Sara. Totoo po iyon. Try nyo pong bumisita sa Davao, mapapansin nyong mas mahigpit na ang nga batas ngayon. Bukod sa mga batas na no speeding, no smoking, no alcohol beyond 1am, bawal na din dumura kahit saan. Kung nakainom ka ng alak at nahuli habang nagmamaneho, pagmumultahin ka ng P20,000 at maari ka pang makulong.

2. Malakas sya sa social media. Ang Pilipinas po ang isang social media powerhouse kaya halos lahat ng pangyayari ngayon malalaman mo na online. Active si Mayor Inday sa social media kaya marami din syang followers. Ang nakakatuwa pa ay hindi lang malalaking tao ang kaya nyang batikusin sa Facebook at Instagram. 

3. Likas talaga syang matapang. Minsan na nyang pinagsinabihan ang isang malaking kompanya sa Davao na nagtatayo ng condominium. “Alisin nyo yang T-crane nyo dyan kasi delikado sa dumadaang eroplano. Wag nyo hintaying ako pa ang magtatanggal nyan.” Sounds familiar? Parang tatay nya talaga. Diba biglang nagkatubig ang Manila nung binantaaan ni Tatay Digong? Tatak Duterte yan, mabilis na aksyon.

4. Hindi sya nagmumura. She may be a fierce Duterte but she also has the finesse of a Zimmerman. Dito mahihirapan ang mga dilawan kasi lagi nilang binabatikos si Tatay Digong sa pagmumura. Mayor Sara is not only strong and assertive but she is also refined.

5. She is pro-environment. Tutol po sya sa mga coal-fired power plants at mining. Kaya nga minsan salungat sila ng tatay nya dito. Mas prefer nya po yung mga renewable resources gaya ng wind at solar energy.

6. Isa syang abogada. Gaya ng tatay nya, mas maganda pa rin yung iboboto natin na may alam sa batas.

7. Hindi sya maarte. Dati nung hindi pa pangulo ang tatay nya, makikita mo sya sa grocery na nakashorts lang. Kumakain ng pancit palabok sa Agdao. Parang si Baste din na makakasabay mo pa nga sa jeep. Simple lang talaga, walang pictorial gaya ng ibang pulpolitiko dyan.

8. She can be a very powerful icon. Imagine a lady President sporting a tattoo during international conventions and casually hangs out with guys on big bikes. She can be very popular not only in Asia but also worldwide — a beautiful badass chick President!

9. She is so natural. You can see her dancing and clowning around. Totoong tao talaga, hindi plastik.

10. Hindi sya ipinanganak na mayaman. Totoo po yan. Napakasimple po ng bahay ng mga Duterte sa Central Park, Bangkal, Davao City. Naglalaro pa nga sila sa ilog at nanghuhuli ng isda kasama ng mga kapatid nya nung bata pa sila.

12. Her nickname translates to “beloved”. Yan po ang ibig sabihin ng Inday — isang endearment na tinatawag ng mga magulang na bisaya sa kanilang mga anak na babae. Mali po yung tinatawag nating inday ang bisaya dahil sila ay katulong. Sara will revolutionize that name to be a strong, modern, independent woman who is loved by her people.

13. May hangover pa tayo ng nakaraang eleksyon. Hindi parin po tayo nakaka get over nung 2016 campaign. Para sa akin maituturing kasi yung isang rebolusyon. Nagkaisa ang taong bayan na patakbuhin ang isang probinsyanong taga Mindanao. Tulong-tulong lahat, andaming nagvolunteer, kahit ang bandera natin ay sako ng bigas lang. Kaya kung magbabalik tanaw ka nung kasama ka sa rally ng isang milyong Pilipino sa Luneta, makatindig balahibo parin, nakakapangilabot at tutulo parin ang luha mo. Kaya kung may susunod man na pangulo, sa walang pag-aalinlangan, isang pangalan parin ang nakatatak sa ating isip ang buong tapang nating isisigaw. DUTERTE! DUTERTE! DUTERTE!\

While many supporters of the President are pushing for Inday Sara’s candidacy in 2022, the presidential daughter is not yet disclosing her future political plans.

Even President Duterte doesn’t want his daughter to become the next chief executive of the country.

“Kung may mag-ambisyon sa’yo, wag ka talagang magkamali. Kaya si Inday, ayaw ko. Wag niyong demonyohin yang anak ko kasi maawa ako sa kanya. Anak ko yan e,” the President said.

[1]

Supporters and critics of ABS-CBN were surprised by the recent statement of Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte expressing support to the said broadcasting company’s franchise renewal.

But a historian seems not shocked by Inday Sara’s decision to support the company that being criticized by her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, many times.

On a Facebook post, Van Yviernas, a professor at De La Salle University, explained why Inday Sara’s support to ABS-CBN is a ‘brilliant’ move that could give her advantages in her future political plans.

According to Yviernas, Inday Sara only showed that she’s different from her father, President Duterte.

He also pointed out that Inday Sara could also receive support from the supporters of ABS-CBN if the broadcasting company successfully get their franchise renewal.

If the network closes down, the Davao City Mayor is also safe from being criticized by the supporters of ABS-CBN.

You can read his explanation below:

“Sara Duterte in favor of ABS-CBN franchise extension, is brilliant.”

“Patunay ito MULI na Sara is her own person. Iba si Digong, iba si Sara.”

“Kapag na-extend ang ABS, bida si Sara kasi magmumukhang siya ang dahilan kaya napabago ang isipan at desisyon ni PRRD”

“Kapag hindi na-extend, at least she did her part.”

“Kahit ano mangyari, hindi na pwede gamiting isyu yan laban sa kanya sa 2022.”

“Wala naman damage ito kay Sara kasi kahit yung anti-ABS iboboto pa rin siya kasi siya si Sara Duterte.”

“Brilliant!”

The post of Yviernas already reached 1,300 reactions on social media.

Inday Sara made a statement about the ABS-CBN franchise for the first time on Wednesday, announcing that Davao City is supporting the franchise renewal of the television network.

“Davao City fully supports ABS-CBN sa kanilang pagpapa-renew ng kanilang franchise. Of course malaki din ang suporta ng ABS-CBN sa Davao City at sa buong bansa,” Duterte-Carpio said.

“Hopefully ma-resolve in a very positive way ang issue ng franchise ng ABS-CBN,” she added.

She also believed that her father was even thinking about employees of ABS-CBN that could be affected by the possible franchise expiration of the company.

The President accepted the apology of ABS-CBN for not airing his ad in 2016 but didn’t tell the media if he already changed his stance on the issue.

Senator Grace Poe may face charges for leading the Senate investigation on the ABS-CBN network if it’s proven that she has a financial interest with the broadcasting company.

This is what lawyer Trixie Cruz-Angeles said on her Facebook post, explaining how Poe may be liable for ‘conflict of interest’.

According to Cruz-Angeles, Poe could only be punished for having a conflict of interest if someone proves that she’s having financial or material interest with the network.

This is what Cruz-Angeles said in her post.

“Can Sen Grace Poe be held liable for conflict of interest under Art. VI Section 14. which states:

No Senator or Member of the House of Representatives may personally appear as counsel before any court of justice or before the Electoral Tribunals, or quasi-judicial and other administrative bodies. Neither shall he, directly or indirectly, be interested financially in any contract with, or in any franchise or special privilege granted by the Government, or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including any government-owned or controlled corporation, or its subsidiary, during his term of office. He shall not intervene in any matter before any office of the Government for his pecuniary benefit or where he may be called upon to act on account of his office.

In relation to Sen. Poe, is the prohibition against having any financial interest in any franchise granted by the Government.

What is “having any financial interest”?

This line can be found in both the Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act Sec 3 (h) which states:

Directly or indirectly having financial or pecuniary interest in any business, contract or transaction in connection with which he intervenes or takes part in his official capacity, or in which he is prohibited by the Constitution or by any law from having any interest.

In RA 6013 Section 7. Prohibited Acts and Transactions. – In addition to acts and omissions of public officials and employees now prescribed in the Constitution and existing laws, the following shall constitute prohibited acts and transactions of any public official and employee and are hereby declared to be unlawful:

(a) Financial and material interest. – Public officials and employees shall not, directly or indirectly, have any financial or material interest in any transaction requiring the approval of their office.”

Poe is the chairperson of the Committee on Public Services that handled the investigation on ABS-CBN.

The lady Senator didn’t deny her connections with ABS-CBN.

“Number 1, I am the chairman of the Committee on Public Services. No.2, it’s no secret the business relationship of my family with ABS-CBN. No. 3, I am only one of 24 senators. Whatever I say, even if I am for it or against it, if the majority will not side with my opinion, it will not prevail,” Poe said in an interview.

Poe also said that she gave everyone a chance to speak during the senate hearing.

“The chairman of a hearing will allow everyone to speak. We were the ones, I in particular, made sure that the FICTAP (Federation of International Cable TV Associations of the Philippines), the ones against the renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise was invited. I allowed them to speak and everyone else. In fact, members of the labor group of ABS-CBN I didn’t call them, Sen. Angara I think asked,” she said.

Source: [1]

Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio said that she’s also one of the Filipinos hoping for ABS-CBN to get a franchise renewal.

In a chance interview in Sulu, Mayor Duterte said that Davao City is supportive to ABS-CBN amid the issue they being faced.

Inday Sara’s father, President Rodrigo Duterte opposed the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN many times; however, recently, the latter decided to accept the public apology of the executives of the broadcasting network.

“Davao City fully supports ABS-CBN sa kanilang pagpapa-renew ng kanilang franchise. Of course malaki din ang suporta ng ABS-CBN sa Davao City at sa buong bansa,” Duterte-Carpio said.

“Hopefully ma-resolve in a very positive way ang issue ng franchise ng ABS-CBN,” she added.

The presidential daughter believes that President Duterte is also considering the employees that could lose their jobs if ABS-CBN closes down.

“Alam niyo si Presidente Duterte, maawain yang tao so iniisip din niya yung trabaho ng mga maraming employees ng ABS-CBN,” she said.

Inday Sara made the said statement, one day after Duterte seems to soften his tune against ABS-CBN’s franchise.

Duterte accepted the apology of ABS-CBN CEO Karlo Katigbak and asked the network to just donate the refund for his unaired ads to any charity.

“Nandiyan na eh. I accept the apology, of course,” Duterte told reporters Wednesday at Malacanang.

However, he didn’t tell if he’s now supporting the franchise of the broadcasting company.

“I will cross the bridge when I get there. Maybe I will call the media to help me out. It would be a difficult decision, really. So I will… I will cross the bridge when I get there,” he said.

ABS-CBN quickly released a statement, thanking the President for accepting their apology.

They also announced that they’re going to follow the request of Duterte.

“We are grateful and humbled by President Rodrigo Duterte’s acceptance of our apology,” ABS-CBN said in a statement.

“We will coordinate with the President’s office as it relates to his guidance on donating the refund to a charitable institution,” it added.