Members of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and hundreds of ABS-CBN employees and supporters on Thursday held a second caravan to the House of Representatives in Batasan, Quezon City to reiterate their support for ABS-CBN franchise.
ABS-CBN employees hold a caravan protest on Thursday morning on their way to Congress as hearing for their franchise continues. (Video by Michael Varcas) pic.twitter.com/r3Po9XndzV
— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) July 9, 2020
One hundred forty-four cars carrying at least 300 ABS-CBN employees and supporters joined the caravan from ABS-CBN Esguerra Gate to the gates of Congress, all hoping to urge members of the Committee of Legislative Franchise to vote ‘Yes’ to ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.
“Most of the people here have already lost their jobs,” said NUJP Secretary General Dabet Panelo during the 30-minute program along Batasan Road. “That is why we are here to urge our congressmen: please consider all the employees who have lost their jobs.”
WATCH: Caravan ng mga empleyado at tagasuporta ng ABS-CBN sa harap ng main entrance ng TV network. #ABSCBNFranchise #DZRHNationwide pic.twitter.com/ax9Ja5046H
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) July 9, 2020
Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Carlos Zarate, a former journalist, said there was no enough basis to reject the media giant’s franchise.
“After 12 marathon hearings, we have proven that ABS-CBN, in fact, did not violate their legislative franchise,” Zarate, who also joined the rally in solidarity with the employees, said.
Employees and supporters of ABS-CBN gather to hold a caravan going to Batasang Pambansa to show support for the network. Congress is expected to vote on the media giant's franchise this afternoon. (via @News5AKSYON / @JCCosico) pic.twitter.com/ZnYeauJCnE
— ONE News PH (@onenewsph) July 9, 2020
“Having labor problems does not mean that they should not be given another franchise,” said Zarate, adding that the owners of ABS-CBN had promised to reform their employee regulations once they are given another 25-year franchise.
“Now the ball is in the hands of our congressmen, particularly the members of the Committee on Legislative Franchise. Let us hope that they will vote for what is right, and give ABS-CBN another franchise,” Zarate added
LOOK: Employees and supporters of ABS-CBN prepare for a protest caravan in Quezon City on Thursday, July 9, in light of the House deliberations on the media giant's franchise.
— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) July 9, 2020
Photos by Pino Arcenas/Rappler pic.twitter.com/QEeJifAOyu
NUJP also organized motorcade in support of the ABS-CBN franchise renewal last July 6. Forty-six cars, 12 motorcycles and about 150 people joined the motorcade from the Commission on Human Rights to the Batasang Pambansa Complex to urge lawmakers to approve the network’s franchise, which has been up for deliberation at the House committee on legislative franchises since May.
The committee is set to vote on Friday, July 10.
LOOK: The representatives who will decide on ABS-CBN’s franchise. The FMFA Network encourages the public to make their voices heard in the House. (1/2)#IbalikAngABSCBN#VoteYEStoABSCBN#DefendPressFreedom pic.twitter.com/nQX4mFToOU
— CMFR (@cmfr) July 9, 2020

Ederic Eder
Ederic is a Filipino communications worker in the telecom, media, and technology industry. He writes about K-dramas and Korean celebrities for Hallyudorama.
He used to be a social media manager for news at GMA Network, where he also headed YouScoop, GMA News and Public Affairs’ citizen journalism arm.
He was with Yahoo! Philippines for more than three years before returning to GMA Network, where he was also previously part of the News Research section.
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