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Lacson to Espenido after being included in ‘narco list’: “Anong nangyari?”

Senator Panfilo Lacson expressed his concern over his former colleague Police Lt. Col. Jovie Espenido after the news broke out that the famous and controversial cop was included in the ‘narco list’ of President Rodrigo Duterte.

On a statement, Lacson narrated his days together with Espendio, who’s part of former President Joseph Estrada’s PAOCTF.

He witnessed the ‘integrity’ and ‘dedication’ of Espenido during those days, that’s why he’s surprised when he heard the news about his inclusion to the narco list.

The Senator sent a short message to Espenido to express his concern about what’s happening.

“I remember then PO1 Espenido during our PAOCTF days as someone who consistently performed his duty with integrity and dedication. At least that was how I knew him in the many instances that he faced those challenges. But that time, he was just a non-commissioned officer at the bottom of the salary grade of police personnel. Rising from the ranks, he held several positions of higher authority until his relief recently,” Lacson said.

“This morning, I sent him a text message with a simple question: “What happened?” He has not replied, unlike before, when he would even text me with early morning bible quotes,” he added.

According to Lacson, if the accusations against Espenido are correct, it might be the most significant sign that the Oplan Tokhang of the government is failing already as the controversial cop became the poster boy of the said campaign.

Lacson hopes that Espenido is going to clear himself from the accusations.

“Being his former superior, I hope he can acquit himself and convincingly disprove this very serious allegation against him. Otherwise, he is just one of the many others I personally knew to have succumbed to the pressure,” he said.

Yesterday, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año confirmed that Espenido was included in the ‘narco list’ of the Duterte administration.

However, they said that they’re still validating the list that’s why President Duterte is not worried about Espenido’s inclusion.

Netizen asks Angeline Quinto, Enchong Dee: “Abogado na ba ang mga artist ng ABS-CBN ngayon?”

A netizen responded to two artists of ABS-CBN, Angeline Quinto, and Enchong Dee after they defended their television network from the accusations being thrown against them.

Noel Landero Sarifa made two separate posts as a response to Dee and Quinto who are both talents of ABS-CBN.

On his Facebook post addressed to Dee, Sarifa asked if the artist of ABS-CBN is now practicing as a lawyer because they seem to be in the front line in their company’s legal battle.

“Legal Issues ang kinakaharap ng ABS-CBN. Abogado na ba ang mga artist ng ABS-CBN ngaun? Bakit kayo ang haharap ng legal issues ng inyong kumpanya?” Sarifa said.

“Ano kinalaman ng demokrasya? Baka human rights? Nabusalan na ba ang mga bibig nyo para di makapagsalita? Sinugod na ba ng mga militar ang ABS-CBN? Nakalock down na ba ang premise? Meron bang dahas at sapilitang pagsasarang nangyayari?” he added.

He then proceeded in explaining the meaning of democracy to the artist.

“Mali ata pagkaintindi mo sa word na democracy, The definition of democracy is a form of government in which the common people hold political power and can rule either directly or through elected representatives in other words “ruled by the people”. Wala namang democracy sa loob ng ABS-CBN, ang mga tao ba ng ABS-CBN ang nag-appoint ng management nyo, ang nasusunod sa loob ng kumpanya?” he said.

“Anong pinaglalaban mo kung hindi naman democratic yong governance ng company mo? For your information the type of governance mayroon ang ABS-CBN is Oligarchy, a type of institution governed by small group of people,” he added.

He then insisted that the one that is weakening the democracy in the country is the companies that are trying to “influence the public to vote for the candidate they favor”.

Source: Noel Landero Sarifa

On another Facebook post addressed to Quinto, Sarifa explained that the government is not rushing to close down ABS-CBN and everyone is talking about it because its franchise expiration date is already near.

He also pointed out that the government filed a quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN to tackle the alleged illegal practices committed by the broadcasting company.

To assure that the government is also doing their job to solve the other problems of the country, Sarifa listed the actions made by the Duterte administration since 2016.

“Halos lahat po ng problema ng bansa, tinutugunan na po ng Gobyerno. Kung atat ang Pangulo na ipasara ang ABS-CBN dapat hindi na sya nag-antay ng expiration ng franchise. Kaya lang sumusunod sa maayos na proseso ang ating Gobyerno. Hindi pa naman nakalockdown ang ABS-CBN di ba? Hayaan nating dumaan sa tamang proseso ang mga bagay bagay. Ang pagtalakay sa ABS-CBN Franchise is just and timely. Hindi po pwersahan,” Sarifa told Quinto on his post.

Source: Noel Landero Sarifa

The two artists defended ABS-CBN days after Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a quo warranto petition against the broadcasting company.

Quinto and Dee are included in the list of artists who expressed their support to ABS-CBN via social media.

“Very few listen and even fewer are brave enough to stand their ground because of their “reputation”… now that ABS-CBN (my home for almost 15 years) is being wrongly accused of so many things… I am angry. I am sad. I am bothered.” Dee said in his post.

“Bakit po atat na atat kayo na mapasara ang estasyon na ito? Pero ang mga problema ng Pilipinas deadma kayo?” Quinto tweeted.

The franchise of ABS-CBN is set to expire in March 2020, however, several lawmakers said that the company can still operate as they’re still in the process of reviewing its permit.

Lacson on Duterte after Taiwan travel ban: “We elected a President who does not appear to give much importance to counsels and consultations”

Senator Panfilo Lacson criticized the recent decisions of the government after they decided to implement a travel ban to Taiwan amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) scare.

Lacson compared the recent decision of the government to the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

“Just like the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement, the Philippine government’s travel ban to Taiwan is a policy decision implemented by the executive department which may not necessarily be correct, health-wise and politically,” Lacson said in a statement.

Lacson, when asked by the reporters, said that it’s not impossible that China lobbied for the inclusion of Taiwan in the travel ban.

“The travel ban may already have potentially dire consequences for our Filipino workers there,” he said

He then said that the Philippines have now a President who doesn’t like to follow the advice of his advisers.

“We elected a President who does not appear to give much importance to counsels and consultations with sectors that could very well help him arrive at well-informed decisions,” Lacson added.

Despite his current criticisms against the government, Lacson said that he’s still going to support to President but he’s not going to stop calling him out.

“Having said that, I continue to support his leadership but I will not stop calling him out on major decisions which I don’t think to serve the best interest of our country and people,” he said.

Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles defended the decision of the government to impose a Taiwan travel ban.

“I think the results will speak for itself: We’ve been able to contain the problem; we’ve been able to manage it better. And I think we stand with that decision,” Nograles said.

Ex Technical Director of ABS-CBN to netizens: “Bakit hindi nila kami tinuring na Kapamilya noon”

A former worker of ABS-CBN shared a story about his struggle after serving the broadcasting network for ten years.

On a Facebook post, John Paul Panizales said that he’s also one of the former Kapamilyas who joined the rally organized by ABS-CBN Internal Job Market (IJM) Workers Union in 2010.

The said rally was organized to express their complaints against ABS-CBN’s labor practices against its workers.

Panizales who’s working as a Technical Director during that time said that he doesn’t feel that he’s one of the ‘Kapamilyas’ despite his loyal service to the company.

According to him, he almost lost his life while serving the broadcasting company, however, ABS-CBN still suddenly removed him from his job.

Fortunately, another broadcasting company hired them.

“Isa ako sa mga empleyado na walang awang inalisan ng kabuhayan ng network na nagsasabing Kapamilya sila! Bakit hindi nila kami tinuring na Kapamilya nung panahon na yun? Isa ako sa mga tumayo sa kalsada sa harap ng kumpanya nila para ipaglaban ang aming mga karapatan bilang manggagawa! Pinakinggan ba kami?????? HINDI!!!!! Kahit isang TV Network noon walang pumansin sa mga hinaing at paghingi namin ng tulong! Kasi pare-parehas silang may mga bahong itinatago,” he said.

“10 taon ako nagsilbi sa network na yan! In fact, muntik pa ako mamatay dahil naaksidente kami pagkagaling sa isang taping! 10 taon na serbisyo, pero wala pang isang oras basta na lang inalis ang access namin makapasok sa loob. In fairness, sinalo kami ng TV5 noon at sa tulong at awa ng Diyos, nagkaron kami ulit ng buhay!” he added.

Panizales also shared his thoughts about the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, saying that it’s fine if the government gives the broadcasting network another 25 years to operate.

However, he said that what’s happening right now should be a lesson to ABS-CBN to appreciate all their employees.

“Okay lang naman ma renew ang franchise ng Kapamilya! Pero sana lingunin naman nila ang mga maliliit na manggagawa na labis na nagpapakahirap magkaron lang sila ng mga magagandang shows! Ang nagpupuyat at hindi natutulog ng halos ilang araw magampanan lamang ang kanilang mga trabaho! Sana alagaan naman nila at mahalin na parang isang totoong Kapamilya ang mga manggagawang halos binubuhos na ang buhay para sa serbisyo sa kanila! Sana matapos na ang walang awang pang maltrato nyo sa mga empleyado!” he said.

Panizales still thanked ABS-CBN for giving him the experience he needed for his profession.

“Gayunpaman, nagpapasalamat pa din po ako dahil sa Kapamilya ako nagsimula! Utang ko sa network na to lahat ng learnings ko ngayon. Dito ako nahubog, natuto at nahasa ng todo! Dito ko din kasi natutunan na ang mundong pinasok ko ay napapalibutan ng mga ahas at pekeng tao! Sana sa isyu ng prangkisa, mabago na ang mundo ng entertainment. Sana manaig na ang totoong pagpapasaya sa tao, hindi lang para pagkakitaan ang mga talino! Sana totoo na ang network na to ay ‘In the service of the Filipino'”

As of writing, Panizales’ post already reached 1,000 shares on social media.

Aside from Panizales, netizen Christopher Mendoza has also a viral story about the said rally in 2010.

 

Robin Padilla challenges ABS-CBN/GMA superstars: “Bago niyo ipaglaban ang kumpanya unahin niyo yun tao ng kumpanya na kasama niyo sa bawat araw!”

Actor Robin Padilla wants the top talents of ABS-CBN and GMA to prove that they care for the welfare of all the workers of their network.

On a Facebook post, Padilla challenged the ‘superstars’ of the two biggest networks in the Philippines to look at their contracts and compare it to the wage being received by normal employees in ABS-CBN and GMA.

According to him, the artists should defend the rights of their colleagues before protecting the companies handling them.

“Para sa mga superstar ng abscbn at gma hinahamon ko kayo humarap ng live at ipagtanggol nyo ang mga network niyo ilabas natin ang mga contract natin at ikumpara natin sa mga kasama natin sa trabaho sa taping ipakita natin sa taongbayan ang tinatamasa natin sa mga network natin at ang tinatamasa ng sinasabi ninyong ipinaglalaban niyo na wag mawalan ng trabaho,” Padilla said.

“Gusto niyo pala itama ang mali abay umpisahan natin sa una pag usapan muna natin ang tamang sueldo benepisyo at tamang oras ng trabaho ng mga kasama natin sa taping at shooting bago niyo ipaglaban ang karapatan ng kumpanya unahin niyo yun tao ng kumpanya na kasama niyo sa bawat araw sa location at wag niyo proteksyonan lang ang regular employees paano yun mga hindi regular?” he added.

“Yun mga tao sa tent niyo at portalet buwan hanggang taon yan na kasama ninyo depende sa haba ng show niyo natanong niyo man lang ba kung sub contract ba sila ng regular employee ng abscbn at kung may overtime pay ba sila? Ilan ang laborer at sub contract ng regular employees ng abscbn? Sino sino? Yun pagkain parehas ba kayo ng kinakain ng mga crew? Tama ba sa sustansya? Ipaglaban ninyo ang agreement ng DOLE at ng FDCP sa mga network nyo at kapag nakuha niyo yun para sa mga taong nagpapakahirap talaga na kasama ninyo kahit umulan o umaraw magpuyatan man o hindi tsaka niyo ipaglaban ang sinasabi ninyong karapatan ng isang multi billion na kumpanya,” he also said.

While he’s not against the ABS-CBN franchise renewal, Padilla said that what’s happening right now is the best opportunity for all people working to the media to correct their working state.

“We have to be real this is the only chance na kayo ang maging daan para mabago ang takbo ng working state nating lahat sa entertainment industry magpagamit muna kayo sa mahihirap sa mga taong nagdala sa inyo sa kasikatan bago sa mga mayayaman,” he said.

Padilla also said that he’s ready to reveal his salaries and compare it to all people working to all broadcasting companies in the Philippines.

“Anytime ako anywhere ilabas natin mga contract natin let us compare our salaries to our kapamilya co workers at isama niyo na mga kapuso at mga kapatid. Magpalabasan na tayo para makita ng publiko let us give it to them tutal napakadrama ninyo gawin na nating teleserye punuin natin ng revelations ang isyu na ito na dapat pinag uusapan sa korte at congress. Hindi lahat sa mundo ay Showbiz at Politics one way or the other the revolution of the people has to be realized!” the actor stated.

Padilla made the said Facebook post amid the criticisms being received by the government from the artists who wanted to defend ABS-CBN.

The celebrity supporters of ABS-CBN argued that the company should not be closed because it might affect the lives of 11,000 employees that may lose their job.

Source [1]

 

“Pwede siyang imbitahan” President Duterte can be invited to Senate probe on ABS-CBN franchise – Gatchalian

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said that they’re ready to accept President Rodrigo Duterte as one of their guests amid their plan to launch a senate investigation on ABS-CBN’s franchise.

In an interview, Gatchalian said that the President can be invited by the Senate if he wanted to complain about the practices of the said broadcasting company.

“The committee can request to the President his opinion regarding this oversight hearing,” Gatchalian said.

“As a rule, anyone who can help shed light in the allegations pwede namang maimbitahan,” he added.

According to him, it’s not required for the President to appear personally before the senate committee and he has an option to send a letter or a counsel.

“Nakita naman natin, Presidents and Secretaries can be represented by their counsels,” he said.

When asked for clarification, Gatchalian said that they ‘can invite’ Duterte if the committee tasked to investigate the ABS-CBN franchise wanted it.

Gatchalian believes that the senate hearing could be a good place to talk about the accusations against ABS-CBN.

“So it will be neutral ground to discover and to analyze whether the allegations are true or not,” he said.

He also clarified that any outcome from their hearing would not affect the franchise of ABS-CBN because it’s still up for the Congress if they’re going to approve the franchise of the television network.

The Senator from Valenzuela is one of the lawmakers who asked to investigate the alleged illegal practices by ABS-CBN after the Office of the Solicitor General filed a quo warranto petition against the broadcasting company.

Senator Grace Poe is one of the first Senators who called for an investigation.

“Due to the gravity of the allegations and its possible effects, the committee has deemed it appropriate to lay the groundwork for a possible inquiry in the spirit of public interest,” Poe said in a statement Thursday.

Trump ‘fine’ with Visiting Forces Agreement cancellation but claims that they ‘saved’ Philippines from ISIS

U.S President Donald Trump said that he’s fine with the decision of the Philippine government to cancel the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

In an interview with the reporters at the Whitehouse, Trump highlighted his good relationship with President Rodrigo Duterte and the positive outcome of the VFA cancellation instead of criticizing it.

“If they would like to do that, that’s fine, we’ll save a lot of money. You know my views are different from other people. I view it as, ‘Thank you very much, we’ll save a lot of money,” Trump said.

The American President also narrated how the U.S helped the Philippines to defeat ISIS, claiming that they ‘single-handedly’ saved the Filipinos from the group.

“Three years ago, when ISIS was overrunning the Philippines, we came in and literally singlehandedly we’re able to save them,” he said.

“My relationship is a very good one, with their leader (President Rodrigo Duterte), let’s see what’s happens,” he said.

A few years ago, Trump considered the Philippines as a ‘most prime piece of real state from a military standpoint.”

The statement of Trump contradicted President Duterte’s claim that the American President, together with his officials wanted to save VFA.

“Ngayon, I’ll make it public. Because public official ako. Si Trump, pati yung others, are trying to save the Visiting Forces Agreement. Sabi ko, ayaw ko,” Duterte said a few days ago.

“One is that napakabastos ng Amerika. Sobrang bastos… Imagine demanding the release of De Lima under threat that we will not receive the aid at may kulatilya that all persons who had a hand in the detention of De lima will not be allowed to go to the United States. P**** i**, ano bang nasa Amerika?” he added.

Meanwhile, Malacanang responded to Trump’s statement, telling the American President ‘you’re welcome’.

“Then, he is welcome. If he said that, how can we be more popish than the pope?” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

“Maybe he (Trump) agrees with the position of the President (Duterte) that it is time that we stand on our own resources and defend our country from enemies of the state by ourselves and not rely on the help of other countries,” he added.

Former ABS-CBN worker tells current Kapamilya employees: “Hindi nyo alam kung ano naging buhay namin noon”

A former ABS-CBN worker who participated in the rally against the labor practices of the said broadcasting company ten years ago commented on the possible closure of his previous company.

On a Facebook post, Christopher Mendoza narrated how he joined the rally organized by ABS-CBN Internal Job Market (IJM) Workers Union and fought against their rights during that time when they were suddenly removed from their jobs.

He also posted some photos taken during the rally to show how they tried to stand up against ABS-CBN.

According to Mendoza, unlike the current workers of ABS-CBN, they were not informed earlier by their management when they’re going to lose their job and suddenly wake up one day being jobless.

He told the current employees of ABS-CBN that they’re fortunate that they have time to look for another job because they’re aware of the possible closure of the broadcasting company in March 2020.

“June 2010 nang ipaglaban namin ang karapatan namin bilang isang mangagawa, ano ang pinagkaiba ng 100+ na mangagawang tinangal noon at sa sinasabi ng mga artista ngaun na maraming apektado kung sakaling masara ang abs eh pare pareho namang tao,” Mendoza said.

“Kami nga biglaan tinangal samantalang kyo last year pa ng ipaalam na pwedeng masara abs so nakapaghanda na kyo real talk lang mga kaibigan hindi nyo alam kung ano naging buhay namin noon may mga anak na pinagaaral, pinapakain parating pa kapaskuhan buti na lang hindi kami pinabayaan ni God,” he added.

Currently, supporters of ABS-CBN, including their top talents who earn millions of pesos monthly said that the closure of their company may lose the job of 11,000 employees.

ABS-CBN IJM Workers Union complained about the practices of the television network giant against the people working for them.

In a statement released in 2010, Antonio Perez, the President of the ABS-CBN Internal Job Market IJM Workers’ Union during that time said that the broadcasting company refused to recognize 1,4000 workers as employees.

“Our pay slips, IDs and uniforms all bear the logo of ABS-CBN as our employer. Workers who have been in service for many years have even received necklaces and rings affirming their employment in ABS-CBN,” Perez said.

They also claimed that the network offered permanent employment to workers in exchange for agreeing to withdraw their labor complaints against the company.

In a report, it’s already common to TV networks to hire media workers as “talents”.

“Non-employees do not have the same benefits as employees. Regular ABS-CBN employees receive a monthly sack of rice, education and health benefits, leaves and overtime pay. However, IJM hires enjoy health benefits only through private health cards; they have no 13th-month pay, only incentives; and they receive a sack of rice only every two months.” The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) said in their article.

Enchong Dee on ABS-CBN’s possible closure: Ang pagsasara ng ABS-CBN ay banta sa demokrasya

Actor Enchong Dee made a statement that urging everybody to support and defend ABS-CBN amid the challenges being faced by the television network because its closure may also endanger not only jobs but also the democracy in the country.

On a tweet, Dee complained about some artists who prefer to protect their own reputation than speaking out against wrongdoings to defend democracy.

He expressed anger, sadness, and concern at the same time as his network is being accused amid its possible closure because of its franchise problems.

“I always tell people that, ‘Artists should be the first line of democracy.’ People tend to agree, but mostly do nothing about it or get reprimanded for saying something political. Very few listen and even fewer are brave enough to stand their ground because of their ‘reputation,’” the actor said.

“Now that ABS-CBN (my home for almost 15 years) is being wrongly accused of many things, I am angry. I am sad. I am bothered,” he added.

However, Dee is hopeful that they’re going to survive the challenges being faced by the said broadcasting network.

According to him, he’s going to prioritize his role as a ‘Filipino’ than his current job because he wanted to defend the democracy and constitution of the Philippines.

“I know that we will rise together stronger than ever before kasama ng libo libong empleyado ng ABS CBN. I am a Filipino first and my job comes second, let’s be vigilant not only because jobs are in peril, but mainly because we are Filipinos fighting for the democracy and constitution of our country,”

He then said that no amount of ‘paid trolls’ are going to change his beliefs.

“I am not afraid to lose my little popularity,” he said.

Some of his followers also shared their thoughts on Dee’s post.

“Well, if your co-actors like Vice Ganda and the Gonzaga sisters didn’t become enablers of Duterte, he would not even think of advancing his strongman rule. Sadly, not many celebrities can be artists. And not many celebrities could be as socially aware like you,” netizen @isabelfelixdin said.

“The other stars of your network should speak up for the sake of the thousands of employees who will be losing jobs and how much this will impact their families. Hindi pwedeng #IkawLangIto dahil maraming buhay ang maaapektuhan dito,” netizen @pinoymommy remarked.

The post already reached 17,000 likes on Twitter.

Aside from Dee, celebrities like Regine Velasquez, Vice Ganda, Bianca Gonzales, Angeline Quinto, Dingdong Dantes, and Jim Paredes expressed their support to the ABS-CBN.

ABS CBN’s franchise is set to expire in March 2020, however the broadcasting network is facing additional problem as the Office of the Solicitor General filed a quo warranto petition against them before the Supreme Court.

Singer Angeline Quinto clashes with ABS-CBN critics: “Bakit atat kayo na mapasara ang estasyon na ito, pero ang mga problema ng Pilipinas dedma kayo?”

Singer Angeline Quinto clashed with the critics of her home network, ABS-CBN amid the talks about the possible closure of the said broadcasting company.

On a series of tweets, Quinto defended ABS-CBN asked why people are rushing to close down her network while ignoring the other problems being faced by the country.

“Bakit po atat na atat kayo na mapasara ang estasyon na ito? Pero ang mga problema ng Pilipinas dedma kayo?” Quinto asked.

“Ipaglalaban po namin ang estasyon na nagbigay ng magandang buhay sa Pamilya namin. Kaya nga Kapamilya di po ba!” she added.

Quinto then proceeded to respond to some tweets criticizing ABS-CBN.

“Eh bias kasi ang ABS-CBN, Kung ano-ano kasing masama ang pinagbabalita tungkol kay Digong, ayan tuloy. Hahaha okay lang sakin na wala ng abs-cbn basta may internet.. Opinyon ko to kaya wag kayong nega,” netizen @bluethinker3 said.

“Shempre Miss ipaglalaban mo yan, dyan ka kumikita eh. And we forgive you for that. Now kung ikaw din Gobyerno tapos ninakawan ka ng ABS CBN, for sure iba din tweet mo! Ryt?” netizen @engayneer commented.

Quinto made posted the said tweets a day after the Office of the Solicitor General filed a quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN before the Supreme Court.