
Philippines: The Animo’s Official Statement on ABS-CBN Shutdown (05.05.2020)





The ABS-CBN sent a few questionable and harsh ads towards the President Rodrigo Duterte during the 2016 campaign for his election. This is certainly the reason why the termination of license of the franchise and the gag-order earlier in the year was put on the media company. As this company has the ability to put pressure on the hard-headed Presidents of its time. That is why the last time it happen it was in 1972. A record Duterte should compete with, but clearly he wants too.
This is a battle and method of retaliation of the President and his team. As this is silencing a open critic. Just like they did with Leila De Lima and Antonio Trilanes. The state has also been fierce against the independent media house Rappler too. So, its not like ABS-CBN is getting a new treatment.
It might be a temporary set-back as a way of the President to prove that you don’t mess with him. That is why I call it a retaliation, because the Senate is the final place for consideration of the license of the Franchise. Even if the National Telecommunication Commission put the cease and desist order on the media house.
What we do know, is for the ones claiming that the owners are not paying taxes. The government as late as February 2020 said they were no liabilities and no arrears. The company has paid its taxes and paid its employees. Therefore, the thought of using as an argument for the closure is futile. Unless, your docile and believe anything.
ABS-CBN only gets this, because it dared to challenge Duterte and aired certain ads. This is his way of firing back and showing flex. Not that its any good. It only shows that he doesn’t have the heart or the ability to strike back with sense. The President doesn’t have the arguments or the ads to address his opposition. Instead, he uses his office and his power together with comrades to close it for a while. Just to show the owners, the journalists, that they should all be like 24 Oras on the GMA Network, because they will never sound the whistle at any government.
That’s why we are here today. We are in our 1972 moment. Where a President and his team uses their office to silence critics and by all means. Rappler was the owner structure and ABS-CBN its the franchise and its license. I am sure the government friendly press will never get into these issues. The ones who doesn’t air critical ads and content, which challenge the President in any form. But if you do, you better lawyer up and have your tools ready. Because, its going to get rocky and the road to redemption is long.
ABS-CBN is getting the full Duterte treatment. The full fury and furious intervention, maybe he will beg for forgiveness later. If he cares about the 11,000 people in limbo. However, that is not so important, as long as the President can signal that he doesn’t accept critical ads. ABS-CBN better follow the Duterte line, if not they will walk the plank. Peace.













Now that the Solicitor General Jose Calida in the on-going “tax-case” with ABS-CBN, one of the biggest news-outlet and media corporations in the Republic of Philippines. Which has been under hard scrutiny from President Rodrigo Duterte since the end of last year. Now, the owners and everyone involved in ABS-CBN is feeling the same sort of legal ramifications as the Rappler did just a few brief moments ago.
We have seen this script before, now they are retaliating even harder. Not only at the foreign investor side, but also directly at the core of the business. Not allowed to speak of the case, which is implying themselves. If this succeeds, then the Duterte administration is setting the precedence of only one thing.
The Duterte administration won’t from now on, only a lovely press ass-kissing their every move. Singing the songs of the Malacañang Palace and their glories achievements. They want state-run TV and most likely in the tunes of Pyonyang. Because, why not go full tilt and full ego boost of Rodrigo?
No free statement, no free reporting and no fair judgement. Anyone who has an idea that counter the brilliant mind and the scholar, the entrepreneurial mastermind from Davao. Don’t you dare speak ill of him. Than the sickness, the moon will not shine on you and the devil will put a spell on you.
Since, they will not allow the ABS-CBN to report on it. Neither speak on it, when its their livelihood. What if the Malacañang Palace got an gag order? What if Duterte got one? If all of his cabinet and everyone involved? All his aides and secretaries? Just keep your mouth shut. The public will address your matters.
I cannot say that all reporting made by ABS-CBN has been good neither should it be either. There are always grounds for questioning the behaviour and the ways a network like that operates. However, to do this legal ramifications and these sort of steady attacks. Undermine their work and their justification for their freedom of expression in the Republic. Just like it did with Rappler too.
This is the same story, just another venue from the same people to the same ends. That is why the gag order would be fitted to the palace and its king. Not that the ones reporting on the acts of the palace and the king to get the blame. Because, they are telling the stories of the place, the way they deem fit. If it is done wrongly and with prejudice. Than the President and his men should state that and show the public their digressions. Not muffle them to silence and possibly try to revoke their license. What sort of game plan is that?
This isn’t about liberty, ownership or anything of the above. It is a about an administration whose so reckless and careless acts towards the expressions and freedom of speech. That is why the ones who dare to question Duterte get’s into trouble.
Yesterday it was Rappler, today its ABS-CBN. Soon its someone else, who has a foreign owner, who hasn’t paid tax and whose not “correct” in the eyes of the President. Maybe, he shouldn’t have travelled with the random lady in Hong Kong? Maybe, he shouldn’t have kissed the woman in South Korea?
If you don’t like the headlines, Mr. President, don’t create them! Don’t utter the words, don’t speak ill and act with fury. Think rational and be humble. I know that is not Rodrigo, but he should consider it. Let that be his gag order. To actually think before he talks. That would be really refreshing, compared to random rants at various events across the Republic.
Well, I expect more to follow this. This story is not over. There was a lot more tricks of the trade in concern to Rappler. Therefore, there will be more for the ABS-CBN. By the way, this story is not a song of greatness, but of mediocrity of Duterte. Since he again cannot stand comments or reporting on his actions. If he could, then would have been a better man and let this one go. Peace.

We are now seeing the consequences of the financial budget of 20th December 2019 in the United States. Which there was some stipulations, where the United States and the Secretary of State Michael Pompeo will sanction officials connected in the their deemed “illegal” arrest of Senator De Lima.
There is no official stance nor anyone listed in the Philippines, as this is just one statute and one promise. As the Department of State have to prove evidence and be able to connect the dots of the arrest and the charges put on the hostile President Rodrigo Duterte critic, Senator Leila De Lima. With that in mind, it didn’t take long before President Duterte retaliated against the U.S. and the ones sponsoring this sort accusation.
Now we know the deal and it is a reality. The President has already restricted Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Partick Learhy and the third Sen. Edward Markey. These are the authors of the amendment, which states this about the Philippines.
Clear as the message sends, the Philippines doesn’t accept being a whipping-boy or one whose getting humiliated by the United States. As they are already on the daily basis now doing human rights violations on their borders, detaining kids, separating kids and toddlers from their parents and not even having hospital conditions for the refugees and asylum-seekers. So in this regard, as there are thousands of lives in jeopardy on the Southern Border of the United States. Maybe, the Senators in the U.S. should focus on them for a minute.
In regards to De Lima, she is most likely in jail because she’s defying the President and got into legal trouble because of that. Just like former Senator Antonio Trilanes too. All who dares to defy to a certain amount of level gets into trouble. One way or another.
What I do like about this, is that the Filipino administration dares to retaliate. Even if it is to opposition Senators in the United States. It would have been more provoking, if the Filipino went after Republicans and the others who voted it in. As the Senate needs Republican support to get it through. Even if this is just one mere amendment.
The U.S. likes to have the upper-hand and expect everyone just to bow down. I like the touch of returning of the favour. Even if it amounts to nothing. Not like Durbin, Learhy or Markey have any investments, anything substantial to gain from the Filipino republic. Still, the sentiment I like. Because, it shows pride and courage of their sovereign state.
While the U.S. are allowed to this, use their legal framework to sanction people. But when they dare another sovereign. Expect to be retaliate against. Not just begging and kneeling underlings asking for mercy. That will not happen from this administration and certainly not from Duterte.
What I really wonder about: Is this really worth it all? Even for criminal injustice? The reality is that the men amending the law in the U.S. doesn’t change the charge nor the incarceration of De Lima. Only amplifying the Filipino to be more hostile. If they wanted legal justice for her, they should maybe have used more diplomatic means. Than, using the sanctions this way.
I might think the charges on De Lima is wrong, but the outcome of using your means this way. Will not do anything constructive. Especially, knowing the administration your dealing with. It is like these naive Yankees didn’t know. Yankee Doodle Ho. Peace.
