In conjunction to the COVID-19 pandemic danger, the Philippines is now

dealing with a significant scandal involving one of the most powerful television
networks in the nation, ABS-CBN, widely known as the Kapamilya Network.

The National Telecommunications Commission's "stop and desist" order

issued on May 5, 2020, followed by the legislative franchise's expiration on May 4,
2020, are what sparked the current debate. Filipinos both within and outside the
nation have turned to social media to share their shock and dismay over the
situation. It's possible to compare the environment on social media sites like
Facebook and Twitter to a battlefield. Internet users are split and at odds with one
another, with some supporting ABS-CBN and others calling for the network's
closure. Showbiz and contract stars who defend the media network have essentially
taken assumed the position of its "frontline defenders," using hashtags like
#LABANKAPAMILYA and #WeBlockAsOne, among others, while "ordinary
people" demand the defense of press freedom. Sens. Grace Poe, Manny Pacquiao,
Francis Pangilinan, Riza Hontiveros, Ralph Recto, Franklin Drilon, Sonny Angara,
Miguel Zubiri, Lito Lapid, and House Speaker Allan Peter Cayetano, among
others, have petitioned the government, specifically the NTC, to grant a
"provisional authority" to ABS-CBN so that it can resume operations. Even after
the CDO against ABS-CBN was issued, the House Committee on Legislative
Franchises slapped a "show cause order" on NTC officials, asking them to justify
why they should not be charged in contempt. While many people want ABS-CBN
to continue its broadcasts and activities, others want the network shut down
because to the numerous alleged infractions it is accused of having committed. The
"quo-warranto" complaint brought on 10 January 2020 by Solicitor General Jose
Calida Jr. against the aforementioned corporation details and illustrates the alleged
breaches of ABS-CBN. In an interview, Calida Jr. was cited as saying “we want to
put an end to what we discovered to be highly abusive practices of ABS-CBN
benefitting a greedy few at the expense of millions of its loyal subscribers.
 These practices have gone unnoticed or were disregarded for years.” And
due to ABS-unmatched CBN's reach over the archipelago's hills and valleys, its
current closure denies many Filipinos living in isolated locations access to their
sole connection to the outside world. Many Filipinos in the diaspora, in capitals
from Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the US, follow the network, which is
among the biggest in the area. In order to stay in touch with their origins, Filipinos
living overseas watch their favorite dramas and entertainment shows on ABS-
CBN. The CMFR supports a variety of media. Small media that support grassroots
communities have importance. However, it also emphasizes the urgent need for a
massive network with the reach of ABS-CBN, which can mobilize impressive
resources to air timely warnings of impending public danger and to disseminate
vital information in times of emergency, saving lives and lessening the impact of
catastrophe and disaster with appropriate assistance. How odd that this should be
taking place in the midst of a pandemic when people need knowledge and direction
every day.

When public service and welfare are the only primary mandates, Filipinos
exhibit that level of political maturity. Therefore, the people who benefit from free
speech in the media must muster the fortitude to demonstrate and speak out against
the closing of ABS-CBN. The true significance of the Constitution's guarantee of
free speech and expression can only be realized when the general population feels
inspired to utilize these rights.