Charles Teves
During the 12th House committee hearing on ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal, Cong. Jesus Crispin Remulla asked the company’s CEO and president Carlo Katigbak whether “the fourth estate, mass media is more powerful than the government itself?”
Katigbak responded saying: “I don’t think we’re more powerful, your Honor. In fact, that’s why we’re here today because I understand that our future is in the hands of the government. In the last 11 hearings, napakinggan namin ang lahat ng sa tingin ng Kongreso ang mga pagkukulang ng ABS-CBN… Hindi rin kami arogante na hindi nakikinig sa mga sinasabi ninyo. Alam po namin na maraming kailangan ayusin, ireform sa ABS-CBN. Handa po kaming gawin lahat yan mabigyan lang ng pagkakataong ituloy ang operation ng ABS-CBN.”
Remulla then asked if ABS-CBN acknowledges that the company has also committed mistakes in the past.
“To the extent na aamin kayo sa mga pagkakamaling nakikita ng komiteng ito. Aaminin niyo ba nagkamali kayo sa ilang bagay na di niyo dapat ginawa at talagang nakasama sa bansang ito?”
Katigbak admits to having lapses but the company never violated any laws.
“Mayroon kaming tatanggapin na pagkukulang po, pero sinasabi po namin na wala kaming nilabag na batas.”
A journalist named Gil Cabacungan says newspapers have it easier compared to networks such as ABS-CBN because they actually have no franchise which means Congress cannot take them to task for what they write.
The #abscbn franchise issue shows the superiority of print over TV and radio. Newspapers have no franchises so Congress can’t summon editors, publishers and make them explain their headlines and rake them over the coals. My boss, the late LJM, will not stand for this travesty.
— Gil Cabacungan (@GilCabacungan) July 6, 2020
On the other hand, supporters of ABS-CBN praised Katigbak for his calm and collected answer.
#ABSCBNFranchiseRenewal Sir Carlo Katigbak, you answering in the most composed and calming manner from the clownery of Remulla and these sick congress people, my respect Sir. Ang cheap na po ng ating mga mambabatas. Sobra na po. pic.twitter.com/C9e6sqeCxT
— ToTo Tee (@itsthonie) July 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/snootanut/status/1280408902744584192?s=20
Mr. Remulla Matuto ka sana kay CEO Katigbak ng tamang Asal at pano sumagot ng punto per punto na may pag Respeto, di lahat mabubully mo 😂😂
— Topher_05 (@Adriano40988816) July 7, 2020
Honorable Carlo Katigbak 🙌
— Mother Mo 💗 (@Mother_M0) July 7, 2020
Carlo Katigbak for 2022
— mcnuj (@mcnuj_) July 7, 2020
Ouch!!! Boooommm panis si Remulla sa response ni Mr. Carlo Katigbak! What a powerful reply Mr. Katigbak! 🇵🇭💙💚❤️
— Samsolite (@Samsoliter) July 7, 2020
https://twitter.com/Nicole82077069/status/1280398406389620736?s=20
ABS-CBN is losing P30 to P35 million a day due to the shutdown but various government agencies have already told lawmakers that the alleged violations have already been addressed by the company.
Many also think that the hearings have gotten more personal as lawmakers aired out their personal problems with how ABS-CBN reported the news in the past.
