EP 35: Duterte vs the Free Press

On July 10, 2020, moments after congressmen voted to reject ABS-CBN’s application for a new broadcast franchise, one congressman wanted to make the decision even clearer. 

Yes, congressmen, led by then Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, had indeed “killed” the franchise bill although the legislative euphemism was “laid on the table.”

But even the pejorative preferred so condescendingly by certain congressmen was probably inadequate. 

Because what took place that afternoon in the halls of congress in the middle of the pandemic was “murder” — a murder of a franchise premeditated to fulfill the desire of President Duterte using the superior force, first, 

of the National Telecommunications Commission and later, the house committee on legislative franchises.

It could be said that the odds were clearly stacked against ABS-CBN from the very start.

Duterte had repeatedly made it clear in public statements — he would shut down ABS-CBN.

Given the political realities in this country where the lower house is generally subservient to the sitting president, it was no surprise that he got his wish.

The decision was clearly a blow to press freedom. 

It was cruel as well especially to thousands of ABS-CBN workers who lost their jobs not because of the pandemic but because of their government. 

In this episode, we look back on how Duterte killed ABS-CBN’S franchise and the continuing struggle by the press to be free under his regime. 

Christian Esguerra is joined by veteran journalists John Nery and Inday Espina-Varona.