Pacquiao on Cayetano’s ‘sipsip’ remark: We’re just doing our job

Senator Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday said lawmakers who attended the recent Senate hearing on ABS-CBN's franchise renewal were just doing their job, contrary to the claim of House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano that they were there to gain the favor of the network.

"As a legislator siguro, ginagampanan lang namin 'yung trabaho namin. Karapatan natin na i-hear 'yung, suportahan 'yung hearing ng franchise so siguro wala naman kaming nilabag doon," Pacquiao told reporters.

"Kaniya-kaniya naman tayong opinyon, kaniya-kaniya naman tayong paniniwala. Siguro 'yun ang nasa puso niya, nasa isip niya kaya nasabi niya 'yun," he added.

Earlier this week, Cayetano said that some of those who were present at the Senate hearing were just there to gain the favor of the broadcast company.

"Bakit nag-hearing ang Senate? Anong purpose? Parang nag-aattendance sa ABS-CBN. 'Hello, I'm here, I'm for you.' Kasi sabi nila it's not for the franchise kasi hindi pa sila pwedeng mag-hearing sa franchise, nandito pa [sa House]. So what's it for?" he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go said he was not part of those whom Cayetano referred to as "sipsip" and "epal."

"Sigurado ako, hindi ako kasali doon, kahit itanong niyo kay Speaker Alan Cayetano, sigurado ako hindi ako kasali doon," he said.

The Senate hearing regarding ABS-CBN's franchise has shed more light on the issue, according to Go.

"Para sa akin marami po ang naliwanagan, mabuti na rin po 'yun... Naintindihan na po ng mga Pilipino kung ano ang puno't dulo ng lahat, ang isa sa naging rason sabi ko nga may kumasa eh, may taong kumasa sa inyo, ito 'yung Presidente na talagang kakasa," Go said.

The House of Representatives has yet to hear the franchise-related bills as the first regular session of the Congress is set to be adjourned after March 13. It is scheduled to resume on May 4--the same day when ABS-CBN's 25-year franchise will expire.

Pacquiao said that he will continue his efforts in reaching out to President Rodrigo Duterte regarding the matter.

"Kung nagkasala talaga ang pamunuan ng ABS-CBN, kasuhan 'yung mga namumuno o palitan ang mga namumuno diyan, nagma-manage. Wag lang maapektuhan 'yung mga libo-libo ding pamilya na matagal nang 'yun ang hanapbuuhay nila, dun sila umaasa... Mag-suggest lang sana ako sa Pangulo kasi sa kaniya rin naman ang desiyosn lahat eh," he said.

"Subukan ko this weekend kung nasa Davao siya pupuntahan ko siya," he added. — RSJ, GMA News