MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has advised the over 11,000 ABS-CBN employees to just find other jobs should the media outfit close up shop with the non-renewal of its franchise.
“Hanap ng ibang trabaho para mabuhay, magsumikap, may ibang paraan pa naman siguro para mabuhay tayo. Hanap ng ibang jobs,” Dela Rosa said in an online interview with reporters on Thursday.
(Look for other jobs to make a living, work hard, there are other ways to make a living. Look for other jobs).
“Alangan namang sabihin ko sa kanila na maghimagsik kayo, magwala kayo, hindi naman pwede yun. Hanap na lang kayo ng ibang trabaho para mabuhay ang pamilya ninyo,” he added.
(As if I can tell them to protest, revolt, I can’t do that. Just find other jobs to provide for your families).
While he acknowledged that looking for a job amid the pandemic would be difficult, Dela Rosa said ABS-CBN employees would not be the only ones facing this struggle.
“Mahirap talaga, kahit na hindi ABS-CBN. Lahat tayo apektado. Hindi lang yung ABS-CBN employees. Kaya ‘pag mawalan ka ng trabaho ngayon, talagang mahirap. Ramdam natin yung hirap na yan.
(It would really be hard, even if you’re not from ABS-CBN. All of us are affected. Not only ABS-CBN employees. That’s why if you lose your job, it would really be difficult. We feel that struggle).
House lawmakers are set to vote on ABS-CBN’s bid for a fresh 25-year franchise, which expired in May, following a series of hours-long hearings.
Agusan Del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun recently said that a vote against the franchise would mean a vote against press freedom, access to information, and preservation of jobs.
But asked if the non-renewal of ABS-CBN’s will have possible ramifications in the future, Dela Rosa says he sees none.
“Wala akong nakikitang epekto. Epekto? Hindi naman ako apektado dahil hindi naman ako [taga-]ABS-CBN. Yung taga-ABS-CBN ang apektado,” he said.
(I see no effect. Effect? I’m not affected because I’m don’t work for ABS-CBN. Those who are working for ABS-CBN, they are the ones who will be affected).
“Ako, wala akong nakikitang epekto dahil kung sabihin niyo mawalan din ng news, meron naman din yung ibang mga ibang news outfits na nagpe-perform. So, wala akong nakitang epekto, sa akin. Sa buong community as a whole, wala rin akong nakikita,” he added.
(For me, I don’t see any effect, and even if they say that news dissemination will at risk, there are other news outfits who can perform that task. So, I don’t think it would affect that community as a whole).
If the members of the House franchise committee vote yes, ABS-CBN’s franchise will still be up for plenary deliberations.
On the other hand, a majority of no votes would lead to a permanent shutdown of the ABS-CBN’s broadcasting service at least for the duration of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. [muf]