UAAP members show support for ABS-CBN after shutdown

The main facade of De La Salle University bathed in ABS CBN’s colors. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/DLSU

MANILA, Philippines—Member schools of the UAAP denounced the National Telecommunications Commission’s decision to shut down the broadcast operations of ABS-CBN.

ABS-CBN is the broadcast partner of the UAAP.

Mere minutes after the station stopped broadcasting Tuesday evening, De La Salle University’s main building lit up with the station’s blue-green-red colors.

Season 82 host Ateneo slammed the NTC’s decision calling the shut down a disservice to the Filipino people.

“It deprived the Filipino people of a vital source of information, entertainment, and public service,” said Ateneo.

“Filipinos need ABS-CBN now, especially now during these times of the pandemic, when the information provided by our country’s broadcast journalists spells the difference between life and death for our citizens, most of whom still get their news from television and radio, “ added Ateneo president Fr. Jet Villarin, SJ.

University of Santo Tomas had similar sentiments, saying that ABS-CBN “has become a constant companion of Filipinos here and abroad.”

“The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas laments the order to stop ABS-CBN from continuing its broadcast operations, as it is a clear disservice to the Filipino people, in time of the pandemic, when information, delivered fast and wide, is key to saving lives,” said UST in a statement.

Far Eastern University, through its Department of Communication, lamented the timing of the shutdown.

ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal stood pending inside the halls of the House of Representatives but members of the Lower House failed to act upon it.

“”In the face of a public health crisis, the unemployment of the network’s employees aggravates their economic and health situations as well as those of their families. They need a government that understands their plight,” FEU’s statement read as ABS-CBN employs 11,000 people.

“Advocating the mantra, ‘May alam, May pakialam’, the department urges the ABS-CBN management, media workers, and the public to resist all forms of oppression by seeking and supporting lawful actions to resolve the issues,” added FEU.