- A petition demanding that ABS-CBN be disqualified from hosting debates for supposedly being biased was launched at Change.org
- The petition is signed by nearly 29, 000 supporters
- The petitioner also accused ABS-CBN of being loyal to the Aquinos and alluded to Korina Sanchez’s close association with the Lopez network
MANILA, Philippines – A petition demanding that the ABS-CBN network be disqualified from hosting election debates due to the station’s alleged bias was launched last week at Change.org and is quickly earning support from signatories.
The petition was started by one Figo Santos from Marikina City on February 22 and has now gained nearly 29,000 online signatures.
“Due to their Obvious BIAS stand and track record on being an LP Puppet, let’s all join and make a stand to disqualify ABS-CBN on hosting the Nationwide Presidential Debate scheduled on them. Let it be moved to CNN Philippines instead,” the petition read.
The petitioner and some signatories has accused the Kapamilya network of being biased in favor of administration and Liberal Party (LP) bet Mar Roxas and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo.
Most of the comments alluded to Roxas’ wife Korina Sanchez’s close association with the television giant which is owned by the Lopez family.
“Remember, Ms. Korina Sanchez is an institution sa ABS-CBN at asawa siya ni Mar Roxas [and she is Mar Roxas’ wife],” Figo wrote.
The petitioner also did not spare the TV station whom they accuse of being loyal to the Aquinos (referring to the incumbent president and his mother, Cory.)
“ABS CBN’s loyalty to the Aquinos is so entrench that they have lost all objectivity when the news purports to them. This Media outlet knows how to control the nationwide news,” the petitioner added.
The petitioner went to the extent of suggesting that in case the Kapisanan ng Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) and the Commission on Election (Comelec) won’t agree on disqualifying ABS-CBN from hosting the debate, the citizens must try to convince the other presidentiables (Binay, Duterte, Poe and Santiago) not to attend the event.
The Comelec has scheduled debates for the presidential candidates before the election dubbed as “Pilipinas Debates 2016”.
The very first one was held last February 21 in Cagayan De Oro City and hosted by media partners GMA Network and Inquirer.
The second presidential debate is set on March 20 at the Univeristy of the Philippines (UP)–Cebu with TV5, Philippine Star and Businessworld as media partners.
The last and final debate will be held April 24 at University of Pangasinan to be hosted by ABS-CBN and Manila Bulletin.
Meanwhile, the only debate set for vice presidential candidates will be held on April 10 at the University of Santo Tomas with CNN Philippines, Rappler and Business Mirror as media partners.
View the petition at Change.org.
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