BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – “One less media outfit is one less information source for our people.”
This was the statement of Diocese of Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon, a week after a House of Representatives panel junked the franchise application of media giant ABS-CBN.
“This is indicative of the administration’s intolerance for views that put to question its policies and actuations,” Buzon said.
He said slammed the House committee’s move, saying it was the latest in a series of insidious attempts by the present administration to quash dissent and to prevent persons and institutions from exercising their right to free speech.
The church leader pointed out that the denial of the franchise application has silenced a major source of information for the people and compromised the constitutionally guaranteed right to information on matters of public concern.
“We heed the call of the times and speak up. We condemn that which undermines the common good. We condemn that which disregards established rights,” he said.
Buzon reminded the duly-elected representatives that they are duty-bound to uphold and protect the rights of the people and secure the common good of the nation.
Meanwhile, in a post made by ABS-CBN-Bacolod reporter Martian Muyco, he affirmed that 81 employees of the local ABS-CBN station will be jobless by Sept. 1.
Muyco said it was ironic as the date was also supposed to be his sixth year as an employee of the media network.
“It’s painful [and] difficult, but we need to face it head-on. My only prayer right now is I hope that the time of recovery will not take long,” Muyco said.
He said they will continue airing their local news shows on Facebook until Aug. 28./PN
