Vice President Leni Robredo criticized the quo warranto petition filed by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) against the broadcasting network ABS-CBN.

On a statement, Robredo pointed out the importance of the media to the democracy of the country.

That’s why she urged everyone to be vigilant against the actions of some officials of the government against ABS-CBN.

She described the quo warranto petition of the OSG as an act of misusing power.

“Ang kalayaan ng pamamahayag ay hindi lamang tungkol sa kalayaang magsalita. Tungkol din ito sa karapatan ng sambayanang marinig ang katotohanan sa buong lawak nito, at matukoy ang kolektibo nating pinahahalagahan bilang bansa,” said Robredo.

“Kaya mahalagang bantayan ang kasalukuyang panggigipit sa prangkisa ng ABS-CBN dahil higit sa lahat tungkol ito sa kapangyarihan: Sino ang magtatakda ng totoo at ng mahalaga? Kapag sinamsam ng gobyerno ang kapangyarihang ito, sinasamsam din nila ang kolektibong tungkulin nating kilatisin ang katotohanan,” she added.

“Linawin natin: Taliwas sa karaniwang proseso ng pag-renew ng prangkisa ang nangyayari. Panggigipit ito, ayon sa pansariling agenda ng iilang nasa poder. Samakatuwid: Pang-aabuso ito ng kapangyarihan,” she also said.

According to Robredo, if ABS-CBN, which is considered as one of the biggest networks in the country is allegedly being persecuted, there’s also a chance that smaller broadcasting companies may also face the same thing.

She then urged Congress to think about the importance of the freedom of the press.

“Ang itanong nga po natin: Kung nagagawa ito sa pinakamakapangyarihang network sa ating bansa, gaano pa katagal para magawa ito sa iba pang mas maliliit na network, sa mga pahayagan at istasyon ng radyo, at pati na sa sari-sarili nating mga social media feed, upang madiktahan tayo ng kung ano ang totoo at mahalaga?” she said.

“Malinaw po ang tawag sa atin ng prinsipyo: Itaguyod ang kalayaan, isulong ang karapatan, at bantayan ang katotohanan. Masinsin po nating sinusubaybayan ang isyu ng pag-renew ng prangkisa sa ABS-CBN. Hinihimok natin ang lahat— pangunahin na ang mga Kinatawan sa Kongreso, kung saan nakatalaga ang kapangyarihang mag-renew ng prangkisa— na makiisa sa pangangalaga ng kalayaan ng pamamahayag,” she added.

On Monday, Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN before the Supreme Court.

Calida cited illegal activities committed by ABS-CBN, like not paying taxes, issuing Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs) to foreigners and also launching pay-per-view service to its subscribers.

The franchise of ABS-CBN is set to expire in March 2020, and as of writing the petitions to renew broadcasting company are still not being discussed.

For the second time, #YesToABSCBNShutdown tops the Twitter trending topics after the Office of the Solicitor General filed a quo warranto petition against the ABS-CBN broadcasting company before the Supreme Court.

On Tuesday, Twitter became the arena of the clash between the fans and critics of ABS-CBN, showing who got the most numbers on social media.

Here’s some of the netizens said who used the #YesToABSCBNShutDown.

“I understand that their talents are urging the public to have sympathy for their mother network. It’s predictable. However, they must understand the real issue, so they could somehow make a stand to save their names! Shame on them! #YesToABSCBNShutDown,” netizen @therain22_ said.

I understand that their talents are urging the public to have sympathy to their mother network. It's predictable. However, they must understand the real issue, so they could somehow make a stand to save their names! Shame on them! #YesToABSCBNShutDown

— ra¡n (@therain22_) February 11, 2020

“This is not about being pro-Duterte or an ABS CBN fan, but this is about a large scale group not paying their loans. The 1.6B money can be used for other government projects. So, #YesToABSCBNShutDown. Not just the network but all Lopez’s subsidiaries,” @shellowpee twitted.

This is not about being pro-Duterte or an ABS CBN fan, but this is about a large scale group not paying their loans. The 1.6B money can be used for other government projects. So, #YesToABSCBNShutDown. Not just the network but all Lopez's subsidiaries. ?? pic.twitter.com/kdj36RBXCS

— 체로 ❤️ (@shellowpee) February 11, 2020

“So much shame for their artists who are obviously a concern for their careers only, without truly considering the real issue and why all of these things are coming out.blame your bosses and the company itself. ABS CBN. So much pity and shame for all of you. #YesToABSCBNShutDown,” @dandeliongemine remarked.

So much shame for their artists who are obviously concern for their careers only,without truly considering the real issue and why all of this things are coming out.blame your bosses and the company itself. ABS CBN. So much pity and shame for all of you. #YesToABSCBNShutDown

— Den cortez (@dendeliongemini) February 11, 2020

Meanwhile, a parody account of the Official Gazette of the Philippines on Twitter claimed that the people using the hashtag #YesToABSCBNShutDown are ‘paid trolls’ and ‘paid by “intel funds”‘

“What’s the difference between these trends? #NoToABSCBNShutDown = Organic, real sentiments of Filipinos against Duterte’s corruption #YesToABSCBNShutDown = Pinilit ng mga China-Duterte paid trolls and fanatics, paid by “intel funds” The difference is clear. Wag magpaloko!” The parody account twitted.

What's the difference between these trends?

??#NoToABSCBNShutDown = Organic, real sentiments of Filipinos against Duterte's corruption

??#YesToABSCBNShutDown = Pinilit ng mga China-Duterte paid trolls and fanatics, paid by "intel funds"

The difference is clear. Wag magpaloko!

— Superficial Gazette ???? (@SuperficialGZT) February 10, 2020

As of writing, #IStandWithABSCBN topic which contradicts the #YesToABSCBNShutDown also reached Twitter trending topics.

Yesterday, Solicitor General Jose Calida personally asked the Supreme Court to nullify the franchise of ABS-CBN.

Calida cited several illegal practices committed by the broadcasting network.

ABS-CBN’s franchise is set to expire in March 2020.

Former GMA journalist and now the Director of UNTV’s News and Current Affairs Michael Fajatin expressed his support to ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal, citing the good deeds that the television network giant did in the past.

On a Facebook post, Fajatin made a list of the good things done by ABS-CBN to other people.

According to him, ABS-CBN helped people during calamities, giving helpful information to its viewers every day, revealing corruption in the government, urging Filipinos to unite and also promoting the culture of the Philippines.

“Ilan lamang po sa mga di matatawarang bahagi at adhikain ng isang network na nakakatulong sa mga mamamayan ay ang mga sumusunod:
1. Pagtulong at panawagan sa pagtulong tuwing may sakuna.
2. Pagbibigay ng napapanahong impormasyon na ginagamit natin araw araw sa maliliit at malaking desisiyon sa ating buhay.
3. Pagpuna sa mga kakulangan, katiwalian at maging sa kabutihang nagmumula sa ating pamahalaan, pribado at kapaligiran. Anumang administrasyon, politika o sitwasyon ang ating kaharapin o pagdaanan.
4. Pagpapakita ng ating pagkakaisa, pagkakaiba, tagumpay at pagkalugmok na nagbibigay daan para pagtagumpayan nating lahat ang mga pagsubok sa buhay bilang mga indibidwal, grupo o isang bansa.
5. Pagsalamin sa mga programang likas na nagpapakita ng ating kultura, paniniwala, karakter, lakas at maging sa ating mga kahinaan,”

Fajatin said that the things he mentioned above are sufficient reason to let the operation of ABS-CBN continues as they’re part of democracy.

The journalist believes that it’s better to let the court decide on the complaints being face by ABS-CBN.

“Ilan lamang ito sa mga dahilan kung bakit hindi dapat nababawasan ang hanay ng pamamahayag na nagpapakita ng buhay na demokrasya at kasarinlan na ating ipinaglaban.
Ang mga dahilang ito ang sumasakop sa karamihan sa ating mga adhikain, na hindi dapat isinasantabi sa mga kadahilanan o reklamong personal lamang.”

“Panagutin ang mga kamalian o paglabag sa karapatan sa harap ng ating mga korte. Kung ito ang pinakamalaking dahilan kung bakit isinusulong ang pagsasara.”

“Kung tayo ay nainiwala pa rin na higit na mahalaga ang hustisya kaysa sa kapangyarihan.”

“Wala pong perpektong media. Wala ring perpektong gobyerno. Lahat po tayo nagnanais na gawin lamang ang tama at natututo sa ating mga pagkakamali.”

“Ako po ay sumusuporta na palawigin pa ang prankisa ng ABS-CBN. Sumusuporta sa ating gobyerno at naniniwala sa kahalagahan ng pagkakaisa sa tagumpay nating mga Pilipino.”

President Rodrigo Duterte is known for opposing the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, claiming that the television network didn’t air his paid advertisement and chose to televise a commercial made against him by his political enemy.

He even suggested that ABS-CBN should just sell their network to other businessmen because there’s no chance for their renewal to be renewed.

On Monday, the Office of the Solicitor General filed a quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN to cancel its franchise even without the approval of the Congress.

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Talitay, Maguindanao Mayor Abdulwahab Sabal was found lifeless after being gunned down by still unknown suspect in Malate, Manila on Monday.

The politician was found lying in front of a hotel in Quirino Avenue.

Authorities quickly surrounded the area and still investigating the cause of the incident.

Sabal was detained in 2016 after the authorities found firearms, explsives, and shabu in his house.

After a month, Sabal and his wife received temporary freedom after posting bail.

He was also accused of being involved in the Davao City blast in 2016 after the authorities found that the IED used in the incident is similar to what they found at Sabal’s house.

However, the authorities said that the similarities between the two IEDs are not enough evidence to link Sabal in the said incident.

He’s also included in the narcolist of President Rodrigo Duterte together with his brother Montasir Sabal who admitted that he’s involved in shabu trade when he was still a police officer, but immediately stopped when he entered politics.

Senator Grace Poe still believes that the Senate still has the power to decide to give franchises to companies like the television network giant ABS-CBN.

On a statement, Poe who’s the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services pointed out that the constitution gave a power to them to decide over franchises despite the quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida against ABS-CBN to the Supreme Court.

“I think this is not just an issue of a franchise but this is in a broader stroke, a concern for fair and sound business practice, press freedom, and jobs for all the employees of the television network,” Poe said.

“As the Constitution mandates, the Senate’s jurisdiction over franchises remains despite the existence of the petition,” she added.

According to Poe, they’re still going to discuss why ABS-CBN’s franchise deserved to be canceled in a “fair and deliberative manner”.

In another interview, she wanted more explanation about the unfair practices mentioned by the Solicitor General in his petition.

“Para sa akin, hindi naman tayo lahat santo. Wala namang perpektong kooperatiba o kompanya, lahat ay may pagkakamali. So siguro sa mga pagkakamali na iyon dapat madetalye kung anu-ano ang mga ‘yan, kung ano ang angkop kaparusahan,” she said.

“Pero ito ba ay nangangailangan ng pagkansela? Kaya nga ito ay isang bagay na akin talagang pinagaaralan at para sakin, ang pinaka-importante dito ay dapat magkaroon ng patas na pagbusisi at pandinig, sa Kongreso man o sa hudikatura,” she added.

Poe owns the family rights to the movie, “Ang Probinsiyano” which became one of the longest series of ABS-CBN when they revived it.

An alumnus of the University of the Philippines has a suggestion of ever that Capas, Tarlac LGU decide not to cooperate with the government over their plan to set a quarantine site in New Clark City.

On a Tweet, netizen Benedict Exconde @iskonglasalista suggested that the government should do an extreme measure to force the Capas LGU to follow the plan of the national government by declaring martial law in the area.

“If the LGU of Capas, Tarlac will not cooperate and follow the orders of the national leadership, put the entire town under martial law and suspend all of its officials, from the mayor down to the barangay councilors,” said Exconde.

If the LGU of Capas, Tarlac will not cooperate and follow the orders of the national leadership, put the entire town under martial law and suspend all of its officials, from the mayor down to the barangay councilors. https://t.co/uy5l1QMv1X

— Benedict Exconde (@iskonglasalista) February 8, 2020

Some netizens from Capas couldn’t stop themselves from criticizing Exconde’s comment.

“Anu pati admin namin tinatakot na..wala pa ang virus. Tapos kami sasabihan nyu makikitid utak. Tao lang din kami may mga pamilya at kamag anak. Wala kami paki sa duterte o dilawan we care more for out health safety. Face mask nga di mapamigay ng libre e,” a businessman from Capas said.

“Ang konti lng ng dadating bkit hindi na lng sa hospital pra matapos na ito. Cla nman ang ngsasabi na PUI lng nman ang mga ito. Available po ang San Lazaro hospital. Well trained and less effort pa dhil complete na gamit dun,” netizen Analie Loto commented.

“Wag niyo daanin sa tapang at posisyon niyo oo nandun nkami sa point na gusto niyo maagapan at malunasan Ang sakit Ng mga infected at Hindi na kumalat pa pero naisip niyo din ba Ang mga Lugar na pagdadalhan niyo na madami tao ang puedi mahawa at maapektuhan tangi saloobin niyo Lang kasi Ang iniisip niyo paano nmn Ang mga pamilya namin puedi mahawa bakit Hindi niyo subukan sa mismo lugar nyo dalhin Ang mga infected Kung mananatili kau kalmado at Hindi aalma tungkol dto na maari din mahawa pamilya niyo oo nakakaawa sila pero syempre inaalala lng namin Ang mga pamilya at kaligtasan namin Sana wag niyo masamain Ang mga reaction namin kayo lumugar sa katayuan namin,” Ghinrhay Pangilinan remarked.

Fortunately, imposing martial law is already unnecessary as the LGU of Capas already decided to support the plan of the government.