SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
Three days after a House committee voted against granting media giant ABS-CBN a new franchise, actress Angel Locsin said the hearings could have been a chance to further improve the conditions of entertainment workers. But instead, she said, lawmakers prioritized their “personal vendetta.”
In an Instagram post on Tuesday, July 14, Angel admitted it took her 3 days to “compose [herself] and feel how [she] actually felt about the situation.” The post was accompanied by a comic strip featuring a newly-unemployed cameraman who goes home to his two kids.
“Alam ko I am sad, alam ko I am angry. Pero may pakiramdam ako ng panghihinayang na hindi ko naiintindihan kung saan nanggagaling nung simula. Ngayon po na-realize ko kung saan nanggagaling ang lahat ng emosyon na ito,” she said.
(I know I am sad, I know I am angry. But I also felt regret but I wasn’t sure where it was coming from. It’s only now that I realized where my emotions were coming from.)
“Ito na sana ang chance para maayos ng ating gobyerno ang entertainment industry,” she said.
(This was the government’s chance to help fix the entertainment industry.)
“I was genuinely hoping that we could turn this into an opportunity to fix the industry’s issues. Hindi lang po sa ABS-CBN, kundi ang kabuohan. Though, to be honest, malaki na po ang improvement kumpara nung nagsisimula palang po ako. Katulad ng working hours, contracts, etc. Pero aminado po ako na marami pa rin pong bagay sa entertainment industry ang kailangan pang ayusin, gaya ng ibang nirereklamo ng ibang laborers.“
(I was genuinely hoping that we could turn this into an opportunity to fix the industry’s issues. Not just within ABS-CBN, but the whole industry. Though to be honest, so much has improved since I started in this industry, such as work hours and contracts. But I’ll be the first to admit that there are so many things in the entertainment industry that need to be fixed, such as the issues some laborers bring up.)
“But those 70 congressmen chose to shut down the network instead of standing up for the people and fix those problems,” she said, referring to the House committee members and ranking House leaders who voted in favor of a report recommending that ABS-CBN not be granted a new franchise.
Labor issues have long beset industries in the Philippines, with the entertainment industry being no different. Both creative and technical workers are sometimes subject to long work hours, no-work no-pay schemes, and job insecurity.
Angel also lamented the fact that the House committee had called as resource persons workers who had legitimate gripes against the network. While their issues would later be cited in the committee report, the actress pointed out that the House panel didn’t do anything to help them.
“Pinagsalita lang pero iniwan lang rin sa ere. In the end, we, in the entertainment industry, especially the day to day earners, kagaya ng crew, were still denied of the opportunity to work in better labor conditions,” Angel said.
(You made them talk but offered no help. In the end, we, in the entertainment industry, especially the day to day earners, like the crew members, were still denied of the opportunity to work in better labor conditions.)
“Kumbaga sa health, may sakit po ang entertainment industry. At nalagay ang ating mga kongresista sa sitwasyon na gabayan at ayusin sana. But sadly, the congress chose a rigid path, pulled the plug and ignored the plea of the entertainment people. They chose the easy way out instead of curing the disease.”
(The entertainment industry is ailing. Our legislators are in the position to guide and help it.)
‘Personal vendetta’
Angel also criticized the House committee members for sacrificing the welfare of many for “the personal vendetta of a few.”
“Totoong serbisyo para sa tao ba ang ginagawa o gumaganti lang dahil na-expose ang ilang pagkakamali nila?”
(Is this public service or are you merely hitting back because of past exposes against their mistakes?)
The last few hearings of the committee touched on ABS-CBN’s alleged “bias.” Several lawmakers during those hearings took turns airing their personal gripes against the network, particularly with its news coverage.
Over 11,000 employees – both regular and contractual – now find their livelihoods in danger because of the denial of ABS-CBN’s franchise. The media giant’s operations span TV, radio, print, digital platforms, and outreach organizations, to name a few.
“Kaya ako lumalaban, kahit mahirap at tagilid, kailangan ng mga kasama ko ang karamay ngayon, higit kailan man. Naniniwala akong hindi mawawalan ng saysay ang lahat…dahil tatatak ito sa kasaysayan and we, the Filipino people will never forget.”
(I choose to fight, even if it’s difficult and even if we’re losing, because my colleagues need my help, now more than ever. I believe all this will be for something… because this is part of our history and we, the Filipino people, will never forget.)
Angel has been one of the most vocal of the network’s stars to call for its franchise renewal. She has joined in several activities calling for a franchise renewal, including a recent caravan and prayer vigil.
On July 10, 70 members of the House of Representatives voted in favor of a resolution that rejected ABS-CBN’s appeal for a new franchise. Only 11 voted against it, two inhibited, while one abstained.
In the Philippine, broadcast media – such as TV and radio – must secure a legislative franchise. – Rappler.com
Add a comment
How does this make you feel?
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.