It seemed that we’ve seen the tough and dignified Diana T. Olegario of FPJ’s Ang Probisyano as its cast member Angel Aquino bravely aired out her sentiments over the sudden closure of ABS-CBN through the second installment of the Laban Kapamilya Facebook Live event held last Tuesday night, May 12. This was streamed on the official page of Angel Locsin, who was one of the speakers.
She commenced her speech by saying that it’s her being Iskolar ng Bayan back in her college days and her personal pursuit of giving back to nation that urged her to partake in the online protest, speak up, and fight for what she thinks is right and just for her fellowmen.
“Ayoko nang matakot. Ayoko nang magsawalang-kibo at umupo at panoorin na lang ang mga nangyayari. Ayoko nang makaramdam na wala akong silbi. Ayoko rin na lumaki ang mga anak ko na natatakot at hindi marunong makipaglaban para sa kanilang mga karapatan, lalo pa’t mga babae sila. Responsibilidad ko ‘to bilang isang ina at responsibilidad ko ito bilang isang Pilipino,” she declared.
The veteran actress went on to express her firm belief that “injustice has been done” and refuted the bashers’ claims that what’s happening to ABS-CBN is only just because of its shortcomings and mistakes and the whole populace should not be involved since it’s only the fight of those who are affected by this issue.
“Paano naging limitado ang nangyaring ito sa ABS-CBN kung ang lahat ng Pilipino, hanggang sa pinakamalayong sulok ng bansang ito at ng buong mundo, ang sinusubukang abutin, pag-isahin, at pagserbisyuhan ng impormasyon, entertainment, balita, public service, at ang mga serbisyong ito ay kailangang-kailangan natin ngayong panahong ito?,” she sternly asked.
Angel then went on to add, “Malaking dagok na mawalan ng trabaho sa panahong wala tayong kasiguraduhan sa bukas. Pero hindi lang kami ang nawalan, pati rin ang mga Pilipinong umaasa sa ABS sa kanilang balita, impormasyon, entertainment, at tulong. Hindi ba malaking perwisyo rin ‘yon, na bigla na lang tayong nabawasan ng source of credible information, na bigla na lang nawala sa ere ang isang programang matagal na nating sinusubaybayan, na wala na ang mga programang ginagawa nating pantawid ng inip at pampawi ng lungkot at ng pagod?”
The FPJ’s Ang Probisyano star also argued that the media giant may not be a perfect organization, however it was able to fulfil its obligations and responsibilities in the country, that’s why she’s confused.
“Malinaw sa Senate hearing na naganap noon na walang pagkukulang at walang kasalanan ang ABS sa mga bagay na ‘yon. Wala kaming nilabag na batas,” she stressed. “Samantalang Congress na mismo ang nagsabi na pwede. Ang NTC, naglabas sila ng impormasyon na lahat ng franchise na mag-eexpire within the lockdown period ay hahayaan na mag-operate hanggang sa marinig ulit sa Congress ang kanilang kaso.”
She went on to specify how the closure of ABS-CBN has represented not only job loss to thousands of people working for the company and inability to provide for their respective families, but also “bias and injustice” to an institution that dutifully complied to the law and its obligation to the Filipinos, as well as trampling “malayang pagpapahayag, our right to information, our freedom to choose, our democracy.”
“When these are all taken away from us, clearly injustice has been done. Ginagawa ko ‘to dahil mahal ko ang naging pangalawang tahanan ko at mahal ko ang bayan ko. Tumatanaw ako ng utang na loob sa bayan ko kaya ako nagtatanong at nagsasalita ngayon. My country deserves the truth. We deserve better. Our country deserves better,” she concluded.