Filipino Citizens' Reactions On The Pending Shut Down Of The Kapamilya Network

Philippine political news and media crisis

     ABS-CBN the Philippines second largest network has a new nemesis.  The Kapamilya network who has been claiming that they have always been in the service of the Filipino people, now faces the biggest tribulation but not against it's rival network - the GMA network but against the President of the Philippines who has vowed to hinder the renewal of it's franchise and the millions of the people who stand behind the President who look forward for it to go off the air completely.

Manila, Philippines - ABS-CBN is now facing it's toughest affliction as President threatened to hinder it's renewal of franchise next year.  President Duterte has made this as one of his personal battle and see to it that the Kapamilya network will be closed and gone off the air permanently in his recent statement few days ago. President Duterte was so upset when the network  took their payments but never aired their propagandas during the 2016 presidential election. " This ABS-CBN. you are expecting for the renewal of your contract but you are out! I'll see to it. You took our payments but never aired our propagandas." President stated during a press conference.

     Former senator Ralph Recto came in defense of the giant network. He has filled a bill last August seeking to renew the network franchise for another 25 years.  According to Recto,, ABS-CBN has remained steadfast in reaching out to Filipinos special those in far remote areas.

      The issue of the pending shut down of ABS-CBN have drawn different reactions among people.  Some wanted the network to prevail but majority are in favor the closing of the network for many reasons.  Who who support the President have accused the network for collaborating with the opposition ( Liberal party ) and communist legal fronts to destabilize the current administration.

     A supporter of ABS-CBN posted on Facebook and Twitter encouraging people to support the network with a hashtag " No to ABS-CBN  shutdown." but this post was derided by legions of netizens and responded ironically with a hashtag " yes to ABS-CBN shutdown."

     ABS-CBN was the most powerful network in the country before.  It was resolute and fearless and it had the most numerous of loyal viewers.  In the early 70s it was shutdown by the former President Marcos during the martial law because of the allegations of collaboration with communist rebels and the Liberal party to  destabilize the government.  In 1986, it made a powerful comeback and reclaimed it's Glory for being the country's leading network beating off it's rival network GMA 7.

     As time went on, the network particularly it's media slowly losing the trust of people and have tainted it's credibility because apparent cover ups regarding issues of corruption involving members of the Liberal party. in addition, the journalist who works for ABS-CBN  had become abusive. Many of the ABS-CBN's jounalists have become untouchable and biased. They knew that they could destroy of someone's reputation who would get in their way. For more than 30 years, the ABS-CBN have become one of the most powerful voices of the Liberal party and the people grew tired of the network. In 2006, it's rival network GMA 7 had finally beaten them off when it comes to ratings.

      When President came into power, ABS-CBN became highly critical against the administration specially their online news that aims to discredit the President.  During the midterm election, it was very obvious that ABS-CBN highly favored the opposition's senatorial slate  ( Otso diretso ) and none of them won since almost 80 percent of the population are avid supporters of the President. In addition, that is the time when ABS-CBN did not air the propagandas of the Duterte's campaign though they were paid.

      Now we have the SEAGAMES.  ABS-CBN network is one of the news agencies that attacked the sports event and placed it in chaos by highlighting some minor flaws and publishing inaccurate news about the event that the people didn't appreciate. Because of the successful opening ceremony of the SEAGAMES, the network was deeply proven wrong. Now that the network is threatened for the pending shutdown, majority of the people are looking forward to it.  It's up to ABS-CBN to prove itself as the country's " undisputable " network.

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