Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday expressed her thoughts about the House of Representatives’s decision to deny ABS-CBN their franchise renewal while nudging the public to pick leaders who uphold their ideals and principles next time.
“Malawak ang implikasyon ng desisyong ito. Mayroon itong chilling effect: Hindi kalabisang isipin na maaaring magbabago ang editorial choices ng ibang pahayagan gawa ng panggigipit na ginawa sa ABS-CBN,” the vice president said.
[This decision has wide implications. This has a chilling effect: it’s not excessive to think that editorial choices of other news organizations might change because of the repression of ABS-CBN.]
Robredo also noted that the government seems to be doing the opposite of “respecting press freedom,” which they said is a priority of the administration.
“Ang mensahe: Kapag hindi tayo sumang-ayon nang buong-buo sa kanila, kalaban nila tayong ituturing,” Robredo said.
[The message: If we do not fully agree with them, we are treated as enemies.]
She also lamented the fact that the shutdown of the leading broadcasting network in the country is happening during a time where news and information is greatly needed by the people.
“Ang hirap tanggapin na lahat ng ito ay nangyayari habang lahat tayo’y nakikipagbuno pa rin sa hirap at pangambang dulot ng COVID-19. Solusyon sa pandemya, sa pagkawala ng trabaho, at sa gutom ang hinihiling ng Pilipino. Pero pananakot, pagbawi ng kalayaan, at dagdag na panggigipit ang pilit sa ating ihinahain.
[It’s hard to accept that this is happening while we’re fighting hardships and fears brought by COVID-19. Filipinos are asking for a solution to the pandemic, loss of livelihood and hunger. But they are giving us terror, seizing our freedoms and repressing us even more.]
Robredo also patiently reminded the Filipino people to choose leaders who reflect the values and ideals they believe in.
“Mahalagang pumili ng mga pinunong tunay sa sumasalamin sa ating mga adhikain at prinsipyo. Kaya’t tandaan natin ang mga pangalan ng kongresista at opisyal na tumaliwas sa ating mga paniniwala upang mapanagot sila gamit ang mga prosesong pangdemokrasya; tandaan din natin ang mga kahanay natin, upang maisulong at bigyang-lakas pa ang mga tulad nila,” she said.
[It is important to choose leaders who reflect our aspirations and principles. So we should remember the names of lawmakers and officials who go against our beliefs and they should be held accountable through democratic processes. Remember those among our ranks so we could push forward and strengthen the likes of them.]
She urged the public to keep fighting and resisting.
