DIOCESE of Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon condemns the members of the House Committee on Legislative Franchise for denying the franchise application of ABS-CBN.
In a statement issued by the bishop, he said the committee's action is the latest in a series of insidious attempts by the present administration to quash dissent and to prevent persons and institutions from exercising their right to free speech as well as from benefiting from a free and independent press.
"This is indicative of the administration's intolerance for views that put to question its policies and actuations," Buzon said.
Buzon pointed out the denial of the franchise application has silenced a major source of information for the people, thereby, compromising the constitutionally guaranteed right to information on matters of public concern, which falls under Article 3, Section 7, of The 1987 Constitution.
"One less media outfit is one less information source for our people," Buzon said.
The bishop said democracy thrives in a plurality of views where opposing views are not stifled and independent voices not silenced. To uphold, respect and protect this plurality is the common good.
Buzon also believes with the series of attempts, he is convinced that the country's democracy is being imperiled and, if left unchallenged, the country can retrogress to tyrannical rule.
"We heed the call of the times and speak up. We condemn that which undermines the common good. We condemn that which disregards established right," Buzon said.
He further reminded the duly-elected representatives that they are duty-bound to uphold and protect the rights of the people and secure the common good of the nation.
In a related development, employees of ABS-CBN in Bacolod City workers have lamented the network's impending retrenchment following the denial of its franchise bid.
Eighty-one of them are expected to lose jobs after August 31 this year. The retrenchment was announced earlier by the top management of the television giant.
"Kun kabalo kamu, sa pila na ni ka bulan nga gina-torture kami adlaw adlaw (If you just knew, we have been tortured every day for months)," ABS-CBN Bacolod News Department Chief Romeo Subaldo said.
Subaldo, who spoke during the noise barrage initiated by various groups outside their station along Lacson Street on Saturday evening, said they heard the worst news of their lives--losing work amid the prevailing pandemic.
"Ang question namon, maano kami, din kami pudyuton? Kun kontra nila ang mga Lopez, ang Lopez ya may kwarta gihapon kami ya nga mga empleyado wala (Our question is, what shall we do now? If they hate the Lopezes, the Lopezes still have money while we employees don't)," he added.
The noise barrage initiated by the Bacolod Youth Alliance was participated by members of various groups including the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines and Negros Press Club, among others.
Clad in black, protesters lit candles at the fence of the television station.
They encouraged motorists to create noise by honking their horns as a sign of support to the station and its employees.
Aside from the junked franchise of ABS-CBN, protesters also bannered other issues like an attack on press freedom, lack of mass testing for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) and anti-terror law.
Before proceeding to the noise barrage, the employees joined a caravan organized by some other groups around the city's major streets also aimed at showing solidarity with them who will be affected by the impending retrenchment.
"We thank those who sympathize with us. Even if we do not know you personally, you are here supporting us," Subaldo exclaimed.
Meanwhile, in a post made earlier by ABS-CBN Bacolod reporter Martian Muyco, he affirmed that 81 of them will be jobless by September 1.
Muyco said it is ironic as the date was also supposed to be his sixth year as an employee of the TV station.
"It's painful [and] difficult, but we need to face it head-on. My only prayer right now is I hope that the time of recovery will not take long," Muyco said.