Vice Ganda success a nail in the ABS CBN coffin

By Pinoy 2022

vice 1

Today, Vice Ganda launches his online program. While it has been said that he has his own network, it is not of the free TV type. In fact, it is due to the loss of the ABS CBN franchise that Vice Ganda is venturing out on his own. While detractors point to this move as turning his back on his mother company that brought him fame and fortune, Vice has countered that his action would preserve the jobs of writers, cameramen, production staff and many others.

Left unspoken are the implications and repercussions of an independent business venture away from the Kapamilya universe. On one hand, the creative aspect would be more relaxed since the shows will not fall under the supervision of the government regulatory agency, MTRCB. Secondly, there is news that stars of rival GMA7 may be invited to grace his shows since, technically, ABS CBN and not Vice Ganda is the Kapuso competitor.

Vice Ganda, Coco Martin, Angel Locsin, Sarah Geronimo, Anne Curtis and Kim Chiu are the top money making stars and celebrities in the Kapamilya entertainment scene with musical shows, telenovelas and movies raking in the money and dominating tv ratings and blockbuster movie receipts. Second liners are Nadine Lustre, Maja Salvador, Kathryn Bernando, Daniel Padilla, Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil. Noli De Castro and Ted Failon are the most prominent names in the news and public affairs department.

With ABS CBN shedding programs and letting go of people, there will be a mad rush to jump ship to GMA7 and TV5.  A transfer to a competing station would probably mean a pay cut but it will be employment nonetheless. The bold and the daring may try to go it alone or with a few confederates in the opportunities opened up by the internet (Facebook live streaming, You Tube and webcasts). The stars who can generate the greatest number of viewers would be in the best position to succeed on their own, outside of the free tv field of competition. Vice Ganda is on top of the ABS CBN pyramid and he will triumph.

On the ABS CBN side of the equation, loss of advertising revenues, bank loans and declining value of their shares of stock plus the payment of separation fees, retirement benefits and expenses incurred in maintaining money losing programs and departments are detrimental to their financial health. While they may succeed in creating a lean and mean organization, in the short term their problem would be how to break even on a daily or monthly basis. In business, significant liquidity can be achieved by getting the existing stockholders to put in more money or through outside investors. Be that as it may, Kapamilya is in crisis. Traditionally, ABS CBN would have relied on their pool of stars to bail them out but in this case, time is not on the side of Kapamilya because in the individual fight for survival, the celebrities may transfer to GMA 7 and TV5 or strike gold on their own. The fact that there is still no existing Philippine model of a phenomenally successful entertainment empire in the internet only means that it is too difficult to do or not too many people have tried it. Vice Ganda is the pioneer and his huge popularity will bring him to the promised land. Once he has charted the path on the mechanics of putting up an online network, others will follow. If and when ABS CBN can dig itself out of its black hole, many of its top celebrities may not be with them anymore so those that have no choice but to stick it out with Kapamilya will become their new superstars.

 

Mel Tiangco and Jay Sonza – SWEET REVENGE in ABS CBN Franchise Denial

By Pinoy 2022

mel tiangco sweet

Dala ng ABS CBN franchise bill denial, nabigyan na ng katarungan sina Mel and Jay sapagkat matapos silang umalis sa Channel 2 ay sinampahan sila ng kaso na nakarating hangang Korte Suprema. Ang pinagmulan ng problema ay nuong lumabas si Mel sa isang TV commercial kung saan sabi ng Kapamilya network ay dapat humingi muna siya ng pahintulot. Nasuspindi si Mel sa trabaho ng 3 buwan pero matapos ito nagsumite naman siya ng indefinite leave of absence. Si Jay ay nagbitiw sa trabaho. Nuong nakalipat na sila sa GMA 7 kinasuhan sina Mel and Jay sa salang sinulot sila ng Kapuso. Sabi ng hukuman na malaya na silang makakapagtrabaho sa ibang kumpanya sapagkat wala na sila sa Kapamilya.

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ABS-CBN case vs Mel and Jay dismissed

ABS-CBN News

Posted at Mar 08 2011

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court has denied an appeal filed by ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. over a Court of Appeals (CA) ruling that found nothing wrong in the transfer of Mel Tiangco and Jay Sonza to GMA-7.

The High Court’s 2nd division, in a December 13, 2010 resolution, denied the appeal “for failure to sufficiently show any reversible error in the assailed judgment to warrant the exercise of this Court’s (Supreme Court) discretionary appellate decision.”
The CA had affirmed a lower court ruling which did not find proof that GMA-7 poached the 2 talents from ABS-CBN because Tiangco and Sonza had already left the company when they moved to the other broadcast firm.
Tiangco and Sonza hosted ABS-CBN show “Mel & Jay.” Tiangco was suspended for 3 months from appearing on TV Patrol after she appeared in a television commercial without prior approval from ABS-CBN.
She then took an indefinite leave of absence from “Mel & Jay” while Sonza resigned.
ABS-CBN later filed a case against the 2 before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court over a non-competitive clause in their contract that banned them from working in other TV or radio station for a year after they left ABS-CBN.
The Supreme Court, while denying ABS-CBN’s appeal, ordered Sonza to pay a P2,000 fine in connection with the case for his failure to comply with an April 2004 resolution on a show-cause order.
ABS-CBN management has yet to comment on the ruling.

D.O.L.E. Sec Bello: ABS-CBN violated labor laws **** Ano ang sinasabi nilang LABOR COMPLIANT?

By Pinoy 2022

dole abs

ABS-CBN violated labor laws – Bello

By William B. Depasupil and Divina Nova Joy Dela Cruz
The Manila Times

The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) on Wednesday disputed the claim of ABS-CBN Corp. that it has been found compliant with labor laws.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello lll blasted the claim of the network’s lawyers and officials during a hearing at the House of Representatives that the Labor department found the network compliant with labor laws.

“The facts bear us out. Our labor inspectors found violations of laws and standards by ABS-CBN. And on account of those findings, the company took steps to correct those violations,” DoLE said in a statement.

“It is therefore patently misleading to attribute to us the claim that ABS-CBN is a compliant company. In fact, there are 67 pending cases against the company in the NLRC and the various courts,” it added, referring to the National Labor Relations Commission.

Bello said ABS-CBN misrepresented its position to deceive the lawmakers in its bid to gain congressional approval for a new franchise.

“We will not let this pass,” DoLE said as it warned the broadcast firm’s counsels against wrongfully presenting policy issuances of the department to the advantage of their client.

The Labor department pointed out that the cited rule governing the employee-employer relationship in the broadcast industry 40 years ago is no longer aligned with the provisions of the Labor Code.

“We also find most detestable the deliberate manner by which Policy Instruction No. 40 issued by the then Labor Minister in 1979 was volunteered to the House committee as the basis for the work arrangement in ABS-CBN. Misleading as it is, it conveniently leaves the impression that the policy was that of current Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd,” the department said.

The National Telecommunications Commission on Tuesday dealt ABS-CBN another big blow when it issued cease and desist orders (CDOs) against the firm’s subsidiaries Sky Cable Corp, and its TV Plus channels, claiming that they were covered by a CDO it issued on May 5, 2020.

On Wednesday, an official of the network denied allegations that it violated tax laws.

“ABS-CBN has paid its proper taxes every year contrary to the allegations, there has not been a single year where ABS-CBN has paid zero taxes,” the network’s chief financial officer, Ricardo Tan, told lawmakers during the hearing of its franchise application.

Tan said in 2018, ABS-CBN, as a group, paid a total of P5.2 billion in various taxes, including P465 million in income taxes.

Bureau of Internal Revenue Assistant Commissioner Manuel Mapoy confirmed that the network paid its taxes for the past three years.

Tan added that the company has contributed largely to the Philippine economy with a total of P71.5 billion in taxes paid from 2003 to 2019.

Meanwhile, Buhay party-list Rep. Jose “Lito” Atienza Jr. urged the leadership of the Committee on Legislative Franchises not to waste time and money and act on the application of ABS-CBN for a franchise.

“We should act on this issue now. We have spent so much time on this, this is the ninth hearing and we have exhaustively tackled all the relevant issues,” Atienza said.

“We have heard all the arguments and have allowed all those against ABS-CBN to air their side on several matters, including Constitutional issues. The questions have been nothing less than repetitious, and prosecutorial in tone. This prompts us to ask — is this a congressional hearing or a prosecutorial procedure? The bias is obvious and up to this point in time, they have not proven anything. How long will we make them wait? These are not normal times we are in, and the sooner we act on this, the better for everyone,” he added.

Atienza said ABS-CBN “has been a steady and reliable source of information.”

“Shutting down the network’s operations would deprive millions of our kababayan of access to vital information,” he said.

D.O.L.E. galit na galit sa ABS CBN dahil sa PANLILINLANG na ginagawa ng Kapamilya network sa House franchise bill hearing

By Pinoy 2022

abs workers 2

Department of Labor and Employment

Statement
July 1, 2020

The labor department denounces attempts by lawyers and officials of ABS CBN to misrepresent its position to deceive members of the House of Representatives in its bid to gain congressional approval for a new franchise.

We also take strong exceptions to claims that the department has found ABS CBN compliant with labor laws and standards, and that we approve of the seasonal work status for the broadcast firm’s program employees.

The facts bear us out. Our labor inspectors found violations of laws and standards by ABS CBN. And on account of those findings, the company took steps to correct those infractions.

It is therefore patently misleading to attribute to us the claim that ABS CBN is a compliant company. In fact, there are 67 pending cases against the company in the NLRC and the various courts.

We also warn the broadcast firm’s counsels against wrongfully presenting policy issuances of the department to the advantage of their client. The cited rule governing the employee-employer relationship in the broadcast industry 40 years ago, which is not aligned with the provisions of the Labor Code, does not anymore apply to date.

We also find most detestable the deliberate manner by which Policy Instruction No. 40 issued by the then Labor Minister in 1979 was volunteered to the House committee as basis for the work arrangement in ABS CBN. Misleading as it is, it conveniently leaves the impression that the policy was that of current Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.

We are not letting this to pass.

Sharon DISENTE – ensures Kiko VICTORY or guarantees DEFEAT?

By Pinoy 2022

sharo disente cropped

Sharon Cuneta considers herself apolitical but by openly endorsing VP Leni Robredo for President in 2022, she has transformed into a political animal, with tremendous drawing power to convince voters to support or junk candidates in the next national elections. The beauty or problem with this is that her own husband would presumably (unless he seeks higher office or run for a party list or local position) be running for reelection as senator. Since Senator Kiko Pangilinan is an incumbent, he has all the advantages aside from the fact that he has already been elected thrice for the Upper Chamber of Congress (2001, 2007 and 2016).

In other words, Kiko is a SHOO IN or SEEDED to win as senator in 2022. There are, however, possible roadblocks to an easy senatorial run and they read as DDS or Diehard Duterte Supporters. The phenomenal victory of then Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte in 2016 debunked the concept that the road to Malacanang passes through mainstream media, specifically ABS CBN. Tatay Digong, as he is fondly called used an alternative route (due to lack of financial resources) and won through social media. In 2019, the now more confident DDS delivered a devastating defeat to the Liberal Party Otso Diretso which counted former 2004 senatorial topnotcher Mar Roxas (losing vice presidential candidate/losing presidential candidate) and reelectionist Bam Aquino among those who failed to get into the Magic 12.

The aim of the DDS in the senatorial contest is to again deprive the Liberal Party of a winner. Senators De Lima, Hontiveros and Pangilinan are the currently sitting LP senators that are eligible to run. Comebacking former Senator Trillanes, after serving two consecutive terms sat out 2019 and would again be allowed to run for senator in 2022. Senator Drilon would have to sit it out for senator in 2022. Senator Mar Roxas after three consecutive humiliating defeats, Senator Bam Aquino and former President Aquino may opt to improve their senatorial ticket. Since the LP would have to fill up the presidential and vice presidential slots, they are running thin on the sure winners.

Among the three LP incumbents, Senators De Lima and Hontiveros have garnered the most flak or negative comments from the DDS. Senator Pangilinan is slightly below the radar and, until the Sharon comment, could have coasted to win in 2022. Now due to Sharon’s dramatics, Kiko would have to bear the brunt of the DDS ire. Judging from 2016 and 2019, Pangilinan, De Lima and Hontiveros would reap a whirlwind in 2022.

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‘Baka sakaling bumalik ang pagka disente’: Tearful Sharon hopes Robredo will succeed Duterte in 2022

ABS-CBN News

June 30, 2020

MANILA — An emotional Sharon Cuneta on Monday said she hopes Vice President Leni Robredo will succeed President Rodrigo Duterte in 2022, so that some semblance of “decency” will be restored in the country.

In a nearly hour-long Instagram live video, the music icon opened up about the emotional turmoil of the last few weeks, in light of her daughter Frankie Pangilinan being the target of a rape threat online.

Cuneta has been actively seeking out the man behind the threat, vowing to bring him to justice in successive social media posts.

The man, a certain Sonny Alcos, is identified as a “solid DDS,” or a loyal supporter of Duterte, in the viral post that Cuneta shared when she first exposed the threat.

Her statements against the rape threat, Cuneta said, have drawn the ire of Duterte’s followers, prompting her to clarify her warm ties with the president as well as his family.

“I’ve always been good, or at least I’ve tried separating politics from friendships and relationships,” she said in her live video.

Cuneta is the wife of opposition senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, and the daughter of the late former Pasay Mayor Pablo Cuneta.

“Ang trato sa akin ng Pangulo parang anak niya, ang tawag niya pa sa akin, ‘the singer of my life,’ tapos mahal ko si Inday Sara kasi maliit pa ‘yan Sharonian na ‘yan,” she said, referring to the president’s daughter and incumbent Davao City mayor.

Duterte, according to Cuneta, was also the one who convinced her brother, Chet, to run for Pasay mayor in 2019. Chet lost.

Cuneta then pointed out that despite Duterte publicly attacking Pangilinan in his speeches — at one point falsely claiming that the couple has separated — she has chosen time and again to be understanding.

Illustrating further examples of separating politics from her relationships, Cuneta recounted how she opted not to campaign for any presidential candidate in 2016.

She did not campaign for the late Miriam Defensor-Santiago, despite her being Cuneta’s “idol”; nor for Jejomar Binay, despite him being a family friend who even officiated her wedding with Pangilinan; nor for Duterte, despite their close relationship; nor for Mar Roxas, despite him being in the same ticket as Pangilinan.

“Ang gusto ko talagang maging presidente noon si Sen. Grace Poe. Isa pang ubod ng disente… Hindi ko siya makapanya noon dahil si Kiko was with the administration,” she said.

“I wanted Sen. Grace Poe to win, at alam ni Tatay (Duterte) ‘yun.”

Cuneta recalled that she did campaign for Robredo. She attested to Robredo and her late husband Jesse Robredo’s spotless record of public service in Bicol.

“I don’t know what’s happened to our country. I hope VP Leni runs for president next time, dahil hindi na rin naman makakatakbo si Tatay next time,” she said, noting the one-term limit for chief executives.

“Napakadisente,” she added, describing Robredo. “Nakakatakot na kasi… Ngayon lang ako naka-experience ng ganito.”

Cuneta admitted that even during her father’s term as Pasay mayor, she was mostly apolitical. What opened her eyes was the People Power revolution that toppled the Marcos regime, she said, because then she finally understood why a president shouldn’t be in power “forever.”

“Pagkatapos ng term ni Pangulong Duterte, sana talaga manalo si VP Leni kung tumakbo siya. Baka sakaling bumalik ang pagka disente ng karamihan sa atin.”

ABS CBN digs in for the LONG HAUL – Coco Martin Ang Probinsyano Vice Ganda Showtime soon to broadcast but not (yet) on free TV

By Pinoy 2022

BLINDSIDED by the NTC Cease and Desist Order of May 5, 2020, the Kapamilya network is banking on two scenarios to get right back to airing on Channel 2 and DZMM.

The first track is through the legislative route of getting the usual 25 year franchise. It was obvious that there was little time left for the proposed bill to hurdle the House of Representatives so the idea of a franchise extension was initially considered by ABS CBN allies in the House of Representatives.

In the rush to RAILROAD the mechanism for the Kapamilya network to reopen up to the end of October of this year which would have allowed the regular franchise bill to be discussed more thoroughly, the extension bill passed on the second reading and should have sailed smoothly for the third and final reading with a then seemingly assured en banc voting thus completing the House component on how a bill becomes a law.

The extension bill would have been sent to the Senate where more than a majority of the sitting senators have already expressed support for the network. 

Legal eagles in the House pointed out to a possible violation of the Philippine Constitution because the first and second readings were done on the same day contrary to the specific provision enshrined in the Basic Law of the Land. After some discussions on whether to remedy the situation by recalling the second reading so as the process to be repeated but on another day, the extension bill was DUMPED, JUNKED and quickly FORGOTTEN and the current proceedings are geared towards a regular 25 year franchise. On a strategic level, the regular 25 year franchise bill is obviously the way to go. In fact, it should have been the course of action since 2014 when the first renewal bill was filed. However, little action happened since that time and come franchise expiration time, there was a mad rush and NTC issued a Cease and Desist Order which resulted in the closure of the network. The House Speaker has publicly stated that they would be finished by August, at the earliest. With all the twists and turns and many more hours of deliberations needed, ABS CBN is at the mercy of the pace in which their law is being crafted.

The second track towards a quick return to airing is through a Supreme Court Temporary Restraining Order, however, this was not granted. Theoretically, there is still a chance that it would be issued but again, that decision would be up to the Supreme Court and their own appreciation on whether a TRO is indeed a necessary relief or to just allow the legislative process to continue towards the 25 year franchise.

ABS CBN is bleeding money to the tune of PHP 30 million to PHP 35 million per day. Faced with an uncertain future, it could have opted just to wait it out for a few months. However, at the rate things are happening in the House of Representatives, their pending bill could drag on indefinitely since Congressman Marcoleta could make life difficult for the Kapamilya network as he has already inflicted many wounds on ABS CBN. And then there is Sol Gen Calida who is perfectly capable of devising lethal legal land mines to slow down and possibly deal a mortal blow to the ABS CBN pending franchise bill.

The Kapamilya network is obviously going to spend tons of money to get their programs back to public view (in another channel and other platforms – cable, satellite, etc.). ABS CBN is already online through social media but accessibility and reach are major problems so they have to explore other avenues to have more eyeballs on their various screens.

Will advertisers be back? They probably will test the sales and marketing initiatives but they will not be pouring the same mind boggling amounts that they used to spend on ABS CBN, at least until the Kapamilya network is able to dominate the market like it used to.

It has now been said that with the COVID 19 pandemic, it is a whole new world out there so the situation will be the same for the Kapamilya network, they simply have to SURVIVE and hopefully inch their way back to old glory but it could take some TIME.

coco vice

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Top ABS-CBN shows returning on new channel
Richmond Mercurio (The Philippine Star)
June 7, 2020

MANILA, Philippines — Broadcast giant ABS-CBN will be bringing back its popular programs, which stopped airing due to the closure of the network last month, on a new channel that will be available on cable and satellite TV nationwide beginning this week.

ABS-CBN said the “Kapamilya” channel will be available on SKY, Cablelink,
G Sat and most member-cable operators of the Philippine Cable Television Association nationwide beginning June 13.

The cable and satellite TV channels that will carry the Kapamilya channel are owned and operated by other companies and are not covered by the cease and desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to ABS-CBN.

“Encouraged by the overwhelming love and support of the public, ABS-CBN remains committed to serving its audiences even after it was ordered to stop operating its radio and television stations on May 5 by the NTC,” the company said.

ABS-CBN said its well-loved shows would be aired on the channel, including “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” and “TV Patrol.”

While the Kapamilya channel will initially be seen only by cable and satellite TV viewers, ABS-CBN said it would find ways to reach more Filipinos around the world.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is set to continue hearing ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal application even during its break.

The chamber adopted the motion of Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez authorizing all standing and special committees to conduct public hearings or inquiries after the Congress adjourned sine die last Friday.

The committees on legislative franchises and good government and public accountability has conducted several hearings on the matter and is scheduled to continue hearing next week.

The House leadership has vowed to immediately resolve the bill seeking renewal of the network’s franchise after the NTC ordered its closure last May 5, a day after its 25-year franchise expired. Edu Punay

ABS CBN, in the service of the YELLOWS

By Pinoy 2022

marcoleta play ball

ABS-CBN, in the ‘service of yellows’

The Daily Tribune

May 26, 2020

Rep. Rodante Marcoleta claims ABS-CBN has not been paying the correct taxes, with zero payment in 2018, while its rival GMA-7 pays billions of pesos each year.

ABS-CBN has been using its TV and radio clout to get its favored candidates elected, claimed Rep. Rodante Marcoleta.

ABS-CBN might as well change its station slogan, “In the service of Filipinos worldwide.”

This as a congressman on Tuesday slammed the network for allegedly exhibiting bias in favor of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo and Senator Grace Poe when they ran for the presidency in previous elections.

SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta took to task the shuttered television and radio station during the joint panel hearing by the House of Representatives over its alleged partisanship instead of practicing fair and objective broadcasting.

“ABS CBN has been biased and partisan in favor of particular candidates and against certain candidates during the 2010, and 2016 presidential candidates, contrary to the terms of its franchise and in violation of the omnibus election code.”

“Hindi naman lingid sa kaalaman ng marami, kung hindi man lahat, kung paano naging pro-Noynoy Aquino ang ABS-CBN nung 2010 at pro-Grace Poe at pro-Leni Robredo naman nung 2016,” Marcoleta, a Deputy Speaker, said.

(It’s known to many, if not to all people, how pro-Noynoy Aquino was ABS-CBN in 2010 and pro-Grace Poe and pro-Lenu Robredo in 2016.)

Marcoleta, who was requested by the House leadership to speak on behalf of those against the ABS-CBN franchise application, cited as example the non-airing by the network of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s political advertisements already paid during the 2016 presidential election.

Likewise, Marcoleta said only a temporary restraining order issued by a court stopped ABS-CBN from airing negative advertisements paid for by a senator on the eve of the end of the campaign period.

The lawmaker said ABS-CBN should not get a new franchise to broadcast so it can be stopped from meddling in politics, adding in Filipino, “it’s time the people choose their leaders and not those chosen by ABS-CBN.”

Addressing ABS-CBN, Marcoleta said, “You are a broadcasting company, not a political kingmaker, either you play ball or you play fair.” He also urged the network to answer the allegations against it, instead of resorting to “emotional appeal.”

ABS-CBN, he said, violated the terms and conditions of its franchise by offering multiple channels in one franchise through its TV Plus boxes, without permission from Congress or the National Telecommunications Commission.

The network was also accused of violating its franchise by engaging in tax avoidance schemes.

According to the data which Marcoleta presented, GMA-7 paid Php 1.09 billion in taxes in 2017 whole for that same year ABS-CBN paid only Php 421 million.

GMA paying billions

While claiming to be the country’s top broadcast network in 2018, ABS-CBN avoided paying taxes that same year by asserting it has a negative income tax in the amount of Php 84 million. That same year, its rival GMA-7 paid Php 1.08 billion in taxes, Marcoleta said.

ABS-CBN also eluded paying the correct taxes in 2019 by paying only Php 152 million or 40 percent of watered-down tax liability by entering into a compromise agreement with the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the lawmaker said. GMA7, for its part, paid Php 1 billion in taxes that same year.

Marcoleta also cited allegations that the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Incorporated (ALKFI) — an organization under ABS-CBN which facilitates the network’s social development program is being used as tax shield of the firm. He claimed that the ALKFI failed to file a donors’ tax.

Said Marcoleta in Filipino: “This is saddening my countrymen. When a politician or government official does charity work, ‘epal’ (limelight hog) is what ABS-CBN calls him. But when it’s from Lingkod Kapamilya, ABS-CBN’s name is glorified. But we all know that the funds they use are from donors.”

Marcoleta said the firm should have done charity works while complying with the law and paying the correct taxes.

Further in his speech, he said the grant of a legislative franchise is a privilege and not a right as he appealed to his colleagues not to grant ABS-CBN franchise.

“It is but right for the House of Representatives to deny this time the franchise of ABS-CBN for flagrantly violating the constitution and related laws even its own franchise making it unworthy of the grant of this special privilege by the state.”

A day after ABS-CBN’s franchise expired on 04 May, 2020, the NTC issued a cease-and-desist order (CDO) against the network on the advise of the Solicitor General that the grant of provisional authority to operate to the network while its franchise application is being tackled by Congress is illegal.

The network has filed a case against the NTC before the Supreme Court (SC) while praying for the issuance of a temporary restraining order against the CDO.

ABS CBN – TAX EVASION (2018 lugi daw, wala nang binayad, nakakuha pa ng 84 MILYONG PISONG TAX CREDIT) ayon kay Marcoleta, habang ang GMA 7 nakapagbayad ng lagpas 1 BILYONG PISO sa BAWAT TAON ng 2017, 2018 at 2019

By Pinoy 2022

abs gma tax

Sa Pilipinas, drama lang ang dimandahan hinggil sa ilang mga kaso kaugnay ng buwis. Kailangan ihabla ang KASABWAT na kumpanya para maumpisahan ang proseso ng COMPROMISE kung saan nabibigyan ng kapangyarihan ang Kagawaran na makipagusap at makipagareglo sa tiwaling kumpanya. Dahil sa tinatawag na DISCRETIONARY nature o walang istriktong paraan kung papaano makukuha ang halaga ng dapat ibayad, nagkakaroon ng BUTAS o LOOPHOLE para pababain ang babayarang buwis kapalit naman ng FOR THE BOYS.

TAX EVASION at TAX AVOIDANCE ay mga paraan para makalusot sa pagbayad ng malaking buwis. Pansinin ninyo na nuong 2018, nagsabi ang ABS CBN na NALUGI daw sila kaya imbes na magbayad ay nakakuha pa sila ng TAX CREDIT (na maaaring gamiting pambayad sa susunod na mga taon) ayon kay Cong Marcoleta. Kapag malaki naman ang kita nila, hindi sila magbabayad at iintayin na idemanda sila ng BIR at alam nila na magkakaroon ng usapan o mekanismo na tinatawag na COMPROMISE kung saan, ayon kay Marcoleta, 40% of the total ang naging katanggaptanggap sa magkabilang panig, Kapamilya at BIR. Ang sasabihin ng BIR ay pumayag na sila sapagkat gusto nila iwasan ang mahabang proseso namapupunta sa korte. ANG LAGAY, everybody (ABSCBN at BIR) happy. TAUMBAYAN ang nawalan.

Paulitulit na sinasabi ng ABS CBN na binigyan daw sila ng clearance na wala silang utang na buwis sa BIR. Maaring totoo yon kasi nga NAGKAAREGLUHAN na. Sa pinakitang mga pigura ni Marcoleta, lalo pa ay pinaghambing sa binayad ng GMA 7, ang PUBLIKO na ang magtatanong kung bakit nagkaroon na KAHINAHINALANG pagbayad nuong 2017 at 2019 at ang HINDI PAGBAYAD nuong 2018. May nakuha pang TAX CREDIT. Wow. Ang galing.

ABS CBN franchise issue: In 2018, GMA 7 paid 1 BILLION PESOS plus in taxes, Kapamilya claimed a loss and DID NOT PAY, got tax credit instead

By Pinoy 2022

abs tax evasion

Sa unang araw ng pagdinig ng ABS CBN franchise issue, nagsalita ang Pangulo ng Kapamilya network na si Carlo Katigbak. Sa panig naman ng laban sa pagbibigay ng prangkisa sa ABS CBN, sabi ni Congressman Marcoleta na sandamakmak daw ang paglabag ng Kapamiya sa mga nakasaad sa Saligang Batas, sa marami pang mga batas at mismong sa mga alituntunin ng prangkisa.

Ang ilan sa mga natalakay na paglabag ay hinggil sa 100% Filipino ownership and management, labor laws (ENDO), maximum franchise life of 50 years, single franchise ngunit maraming frequency ang ginamit, POLITICAL BIAS in national elections, pinagkaperahan ang mga palabas at black box maski gamit nila ay free to air frequency at tax avoidance o TAX EVASION. Bilang halimbawa, pinakita ni Cong Marcoleta ang mga 2017, 2018 at 2019 corporate tax payments ng GMA 7 at ABS CBN. Sa tatlong taong mga iyon, ang GMA 7 ay nagbayad ng lagpas tag ISANG BILYONG PISO sa kada taon habang nuong 2017 ay 421 MILYONG PISO lang ang binayad ng Kapamilya at sa 2019 naman ay 152 MILYONG PISO lang. Sabi ng ABS CBN na NALUGI daw sila nuong 2018 kaya WALA silang binayarang income tax. Sapagkat nalugi sila, nagkaroon pa sila ng 84 MILYONG PISONG TAX CREDIT na magagamit o nagamit nila pambayad sa sumunod o mga susunod na taon.

Mahirap yata mapaniwala ang taongbayan na nalugi pa ang ABS CBN. Saka higit na mas malaki ang negosyo ng Kapamilya sa Kapuso kaya dapat mas mataas din ang nabayaran ng ABS CBN sa mga buwis ng tatlong naturang mga taon. Mukhang BILYONBILYONG katanungan ang dapat sagutin ng Kapamilya, kaya pala puro PA-AWA ang ginagawa nilang paraan para makuha ang damdamin ng ga Pinoy. Ngayong lumabas na sa publiko ang ganitong balita, mahihirapan na ang mga BAYARANG Kongresista na panindigan ang kanilang pagkasipsip nila sa ABS CBN sapagkat mabibisto sila ng mga botante.

 

COVID 19 Testing – Dr. Minguita Padilla

By Pinoy 2022

19 davao ncr

Here’s What You Need To Know About COVID-19 Tests In The Philippines

By Ryanne Co
May 11, 2020
Dr. Minguita Padilla, medical team leader at Project ARK (Project Antibody Rapid Test Kits), gives us the lowdown on what we should know about the different kinds of tests available in the Philippines.
Manila has been under enhanced community quarantine for nearly two months. In a pre-COVID world, that would have been nearly unthinkable. But now, it’s a necessity — a “new normal” that has been thrust upon people to accept.

The key out of it? Testing. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has stressed the importance of mass testing in the fight to flatten the curve. One of the organisations at the helm of this movement is Project ARK, a private sector-led initiative that aims to introduce rapid antibody testing to companies and barangays in a bid to contain the spread of the virus. Today, Dr. Minguita Padilla, ophthalmologist and head of the medical team at Project ARK, tells us about what there is to know about COVID-19 testing right now.

What parts of the body does COVID-19 affect?

There is still so much scientists don’t know about COVID-19. What we know about it today can be disputed or reinforced tomorrow. But as of today, we know that COVID-19 doesn’t just affect the lungs. In some cases, it can affect other parts of the body including the eyes, the heart, the liver, the kidneys, and the intestines.

Currently, the WHO has released more symptoms for COVID-19. The full list includes fever, dry cough, and tiredness. They have also added aches and pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discolouration of fingers or toes to the list.

Was the lockdown necessary?

Lockdown was definitely necessary. Without it, the number of infections would have grown exponentially. One person has the ability to infect three other people, and each of those three individuals could infect another three.

On a macro level, what is the best way to handle COVID-19? How does our country compare?

In an ideal situation, there would have been swab tests done for everyone the moment the first few cases of COVID-19 were confirmed. Unfortunately, the country only had 2,000 test kits available until later on in the game. As of 4 May 2020, testing capacity stands at 3,000 tests a day.

It would also be best for test results to come out within 4-8 hours but turn around time within the past few months had been 5-7 days, and sometimes as long as 2 weeks. As of 2 May 2020, there has also been a backlog of 8,000 test results yet to be released.

What are the different types of tests available for COVID-19?

Here, Dr. Padilla makes two distinctions. First, there is the swab test also known as the real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test. This test identifies the virus through a throat or nasal swab. The swab is then transported in ice to a laboratory where machines can convert the specimen into data that can read as positive or negative. Results come out anywhere between hours to days. 
There’s also the rapid antibody testing, which is a blood test that identifies antibodies produced by the immune system. This is your body’s response as it develops immunity to the virus. This test can read two kinds of antibodies: the immunoglobulin M (IgM), which is your early immune response, and the immunoglobulin G (IgG), which is your delayed immune response.

IgM can be found in patients who are positive for COVID-19 by RT-PCR and are still infected and infectious. IgG is found in those previously tested as positive, but who have since recovered. Those with IgG can donate blood to the Philippine General Hospital for plasma therapy to help those who are currently positive but have not yet recovered.

What should you do after you use a rapid antibody test kit?

That depends on your results. Keep in mind that IgM is found in patients who are SARS-COV-2 positive. IgG is found in those previously tested positive, but who have since recovered. 
  • If you have no symptoms, are negative for IgM, and positive for IgG then you are probably infected and developing immunity. It is best to self-isolate.
  • If you have no symptoms, are positive for IgM, but are also positive for IgG, then it’s best to self-isolate for another 14 days, take another rapid antibody test after that time, and check the results again.
  • If you have no symptoms, are positive for IgM, and are negative for IgG, then you are considered infected. It is best to self-isolate for 14 days and take an RT-PCR swab test.
  • If you have no symptoms, are negative for IgM, and are negative for IgG then you’re not likely to be infected but may consider taking a retest after 7 days.
  • If you have symptoms, then it is always best to self-isolate.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of these tests?

Speaking first on the swab test or the RT-PCR: the advantage is that this test can detect the virus up to 2 days before symptoms start to appear. The disadvantages, however, include the lengthy processing time in the country, as well as the possibility for human error in either of the processes involved (swabbing, transporting, extracting, reading). The RT-PCR can also pick up on the remnants of the virus that are no longer viable — as in the case of a confirmed patient who has recovered — leading to false positives.

The advantage to the rapid antibody test is that it’s quick, relatively inexpensive (should cost around Php400 – Php700), and easy to use. However, the disadvantage lies in the fact that accuracy depends on the sensitivity of the kit itself so the brand and manufacturer are quite important. It may also result in false negatives if one tests too early and the immune system has not had time to generate antibodies.

Who should be tested?

Unfortunately, due to lack of test kits, there is a hierarchy to follow in terms of who should be tested. Those that must be prioritised are:

  • All asymptomatic or symptomatic persons who have been in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 patient
  • All asymptomatic or symptomatic persons who have been in close contact with a probable confirmed COVID-19 patient. According to the WHO, probable confirmed patients are suspect patients who have been tested for COVID-19 but with inconclusive results. Another definition for a probable confirmed patient are those who have tested positive for COVID-19, but the test was not conducted in an officially accredited laboratory for confirmatory testing. A suspect case for whom testing could not be performed (for any reason) is also a probable confirmed patient.
  • All symptomatic persons
  • Frontliners
  • Those with high-risk including diabetics, hypertensives, the immunosuppressed, the obese, and the elderly

Is Manila ready for general community quarantine?

According to Dr. Padilla, yes. But we must proceed with caution to avoid a second wave. On the bright side, Dr. Padilla has also noted that a few hospitals are less overwhelmed than they were a few weeks ago. The DOH, in partnership with a few private companies, has also promised to amp up testing to 30,000 a day by 30 May 2020.

Right now, it is best for everyone to stay calm but vigilant by wearing masks, constantly washing hands, and observing proper social distancing. It’s also best not to take the state of general community quarantine as an excuse to let our guard down, as carelessness and absent-mindedness can lead to another surge of infections, and in the worst case scenario, another lockdown.