It seems supporters of the Duterte regime are trying out a new script. “Why blame this administration when the previous one failed to act on ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal?” Here’s why this is mentally dishonest and morally repugnant. #StandwithABSCBN 1/10 
True, HB4997 was filed on 09.11.14, under Aquino, and died in committee. But HB4349 was filed on 10.10.16, when Duterte was already president, and ALSO died in committee. This was refiled as HB676 on 07.01.19, and AGAIN died in committee. #StandwithABSCBN 2/10
In contrast, GMA’s franchise renewal bill HB 04631 was filed, under Duterte, only on 12.07.16—a mere 3 months before the old franchise lapsed. It passed 3rd reading on 01.16.17, only 5 weeks after filing. #StandwithABSCBN 3/10
The new GMA franchise was signed into law (RA10925) on 04.21.17—less than 5 months after filing. But the old franchise expired on 03.20.17. In other words, GMA operated WITHOUT A FRANCHISE for a month. #StandwithABSCBN 4/10
Why was ABS-CBN treated differently? Because in the 4 years since Duterte was elected, he repeatedly vowed to block a renewal of the franchise. 03.30.17: “Karma will come.” 04.27.17: “Congress, no need to renew it.” #StandwithABSCBN 5/10
Duterte on 05.19.17: “You want to know my sentiments [about ABS-CBN]? Fuck you.” 08.03.18: “I would not give it back to you.” 12.03.19: “If you expect that it will be renewed, I’m sorry, I will see to it that you’re out.” #StandwithABSCBN 6/10
Duterte on 12.30.19, addressing ABS-CBN: “Kung ako sa inyo, ipagbili niyo na yan.” He added: “I will make sure that you will remember this episode of our times forever.” #StandwithABSCBN 7/10
So those who treat the congressional inaction in 2014-2016 as no different from Duterte’s policy of obstruction in 2016-2020 are lying to themselves. President Duterte himself vowed on numerous occasions to block ABS-CBN. That IS the policy. #StandwithABSCBN 8/10
Listen. Philippine Star on 06.12.19: “A key member of the legislative franchises committee said no action on any bill seeking to renew the ABS-CBN franchise would be taken as long as President Duterte has complaints against the network.” #StandwithABSCBN 9/10
Those who cannot bring themselves to criticize Duterte, or even place the blame squarely where the buck actually stops, or will make excuses for GMA’s speedy renewal but blame ABS-CBN for not acting earlier, are acting immorally. Mahiya naman kayo. #StandwithABSCBN 10/10
PS. I was corrected on when GMA's franchise lapsed; my thanks. But 1) the way GMA's renewal was speedily handled contrasts with the policy of inaction re ABS-CBN's. 2) I should have used the CBCP radio stations as example instead: lapsed in 2017, renewed ONLY IN 2019. #Sanaall
