Ernie Lopez: There were allies who turned their backs on us

Ernie Lopez, brother of former ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III, said Friday the network had allies who turned their backs on them even before a House of Representatives panel rejected the network’s application for a franchise to operate.

Lopez, who heads ABS-CBN Publishing, a subsidiary of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, made the comment less than an hour after the House Committee on Legislative Franchises rejected ABS-CBN’s franchise application via a 70-11 vote.

“Gusto ko magpasalamat sa suporta, sa mga nanalangin. Sa panahong ito, nakita ho namin sino ang tunay na kaibigan, and we are thankful for that,” Lopez told reporters in a chance interview which was aired on Dobol B sa News TV.

“Hindi ako naninisi, hindi ako nagagalit…sa mga umiiwas, sa dating kakampi na tumalikod, okay lang, naiintindihan ko, pahirapan talaga ngayon. I understand. Those who support us who did not want to come out, those who came out, nagpapasalamat kami,” he added.

Lopez, however, admitted there is not much to say to offer solace to ABS-CBN employees who are at risk of losing jobs.

“I really don’t know what is going to happen next. ABS-CBN chief executive officer and president Carlo Katigbak will address the employees because of the House’s decision,” he said.

He admitted the House panel’s decision is painful.

“I can only give my opinion, and I don’t represent my family, but yes, it is highly political, and I accept it. It is painful. It is all in God’s hands now,” he added.

Lopez also said the circumstances reminded him of the time when his father, Eugenio Lopez Jr., was sent to jail by then dictator President Ferdinand Marcos because of the network’s critical reports.

“Masakit na nakulong ang tatay ko, walang kaso, walang ebidensiya, walang trial. Kinulong siya dahil si Marcos, marami siyang ginagawang hindi tama na binubulgar namin sa media,” he said.

“Masakit iyon at ayokong mangyari sa sinumang tao na makulong ang tatay nila ng five years,” he added.

Asked for his message to the employees, Lopez quoted journalists and former ABS-CBN News executive Maria Ressa and said, “Do not listen to what they say. Look at what they do.”

Based on the TWG report, ABS-CBN violated its old franchise, described by the panel as a privilege, because of the following reasons: its former Chairman Eugenio Lopez III was both a Filipino and American citizen, the issuance of Philippine Depositary Receipts supposedly favoring foreigners, inappropriate program content, meddling in politics, tax avoidance schemes;less than exemplary labor practices, among others.—AOL, GMA News