By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon condemned the denial of the franchise application of ABS-CBN by the members of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.
In a statement, Buzon said the committee’s action is “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 as well as from benefiting from a free and independent press.”
“One less media outfit, is one less information source for our people. This is indicative of the administration’s intolerance for views that put to question its policies and actuations,” Buzon said.
He added that the denial of the franchise application has “silenced a major source of information for the people, thereby, compromising the constitutionally guaranteed right to information on matters of public concern, which falls under Article 3, Section 7, of The 1987 Constitution.”
“Democracy thrives in plurality of views where opposing views are not stifled, and independent voices not silenced. To uphold, respect and protect this plurality is the common good.”
Buzon said he is convinced that the country’s democracy is being imperiled and if left unchallenged, the country can retrogress to tyrannical rule.
“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,” Buzon said.
About 81 personnel of ABS-CBN Bacolod, including the reporters, are set to lose their job by next month because of the franchise debacle.
