6 May 2020

We, the undersigned business organizations, express our concern that the shutdown of ABS-CBN Corp.’s broadcast operations will be a blow to press freedom, which is a pillar of democratic societies such as ours. It is also a setback at a time when the country needs to be united against the pandemic. Now more than ever, everyone should be working together on the singular goal of helping each other through this crisis.

We strongly support a balanced, fair and swift consideration of the bills filed by several lawmakers to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise. If there are legitimate issues against the company, Congress should address them while defending constitutional rights and freedoms; according equal treatment as other companies with expired franchises and pending applications; and preserving broadcast and communications systems that can deliver truth, news, and information to even the farthest points of the country, especially at this time.