'11k workers affected by ABS-CBN shutdown? KUMPARA MO SA MILLION NA TAO NA NALOKO NILA!' - Sen. Dela Rosa

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Neophyte Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa raised the question on Tuesday as he reaffirmed his bias in favor of President Rodrigo Duterte, who has openly threatened to block the network’s franchise renewal.

The franchise of ABS-CBN is set to expire on March 30 this year.

But Dela Rosa questioned the veracity of reports that 11, 000 employees of ABS-CBN would be affected if the franchise is not renewed or extended by Congress.

“11,000 talaga? Sigurado ka (Is that really 11,000? Are you sure?)?” he asked a reporter in an interview in the Senate, saying he received a text from the network that it was not actually 11,000 workers.

“Anyway, regardless kung ilan yun, what’s 11,000 compared to the whole Filipino nation na matagal ng sinamantalahan ng isang kumpanya kung talagang ma prove yan sa hearing na pinagsamantalahan ang sambayanang Pilipino. What’s 11,000 compared to the whole Filipino nation?” he further asked.

(Anyway, regardless of the number, what’s 11,000 compared to the whole Filipino nation that has long been taken advantage by one company if that is proven in the hearing. What’s 11,000 compared to the whole Filipino nation?)

The Senate committee on public services headed by Senator Grace Poe has already scheduled a hearing on ABS-CBN franchise on February 27 pending action from the House of Representatives.

Though insisting that franchise bills should emanate from the House, Dela Rosa said he would still support Senate hearings on ABS-CBN’s franchise for as long as the panel would not come up with a report.

Under the rules, the House should first hear and approve a franchise bill for Senate’s concurrence.



Dela Rosa said he would vote on the ABS-CBN’s franchise based on the veracity of allegations that would be presented against the network.

“E kung mabigat yung akusasyon na talagang maraming viniolate ang ABS, bakit mo pa i re-renew. Kung talagang ma prove dun sa hearing na grabe.. sinamanlala ng husto ng ABS-CBN ang samabayanang Pilipino, bakit nyo pa i renew?”

(If the allegations are serious that ABS has committed many violations, then why renew [the franchise]? If it’s really proven there that ABS-CBN really abused the Filipino nation, why still renew it?)

“Kasi mahirap yung puro allegation lang tapos pagdating sa hearing nalaman natin na Santos pala itong ABS-CBN, hindi pala ito makasalanan…” the senator said.