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'We must be vigilant': Artists warn against move to shut ABS-CBN

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/02/10/20200210-calida-quo-warranto-abscbn-gc-5564.jpg"/><figcaption>Solicitor General Jose Calida on Monday moved to have ABS-CBN stripped of its franchise, saying it has found the network to have violated the constitution on foreign ownership.</figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA -- Local film directors have expressed deep concern over the government&#x27;s attempt to &quot;silence media and cultural entities that are critical of power,&quot; after its lawyers moved to have ABS-CBN stripped of its franchise.</p><p>A petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida on Monday alleges that the Kapamilya network violated the constitution by allowing overseas investors to join the company. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/10/20/read-statement-of-abs-cbn-on-osgs-quo-warranto-petition-we-did-not-violate-the-law">READ: Statement of ABS-CBN on OSG&#x27;s Quo Warranto petition: We did not violate the law</a></li></ul><p>Responding to the petition, the Director&#x27;s Guild of the Philippines released a statement denouncing the attack on press freedom. </p><p>&quot;Like cinema, press freedom plays a vanguard role in society: not only is it meant to communicate and disseminate information, but it also plays the crucial role of being a mirror to its audience, and making us face and question our social and cultural ills.&quot; </p><p>The group added: &quot;As filmmakers, let us advocate for democracy and denounce any attempt to silence media and cultural entities that are critical of power. </p><p>&quot;We must be vigilant and critical. We must uphold press freedom. We must hold the line.&quot; </p><div><script src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;version=v2.5" async="" type="text/javascript"></script></div><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/DireksGuild/photos/a.10153362835675374/10163019398085374/?type=3&amp;theater" data-width="auto"> </div><p>The Director&#x27;s Guild of the Philippines is among the country&#x27;s largest group of filmmakers, dedicated to protecting &quot;freedom of expression,&quot; and to progressing the development of local cinema. </p><p>Its statement comes a day after Calida&#x27;s petition to cancel ABS-CBN&#x27;s franchise. The franchise, which President Rodrigo Duterte vowed repeatedly to block the renewal of, expires on March 30. </p><p>Other artist groups such as the Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-Aawit have also criticized the attempt to shut down ABS-CBN as a &quot;significant blow to our community of artists.&quot; </p><p>The organization wrote: &quot;The repercussions will indeed be felt far beyond our sector.&quot;</p><div><script src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;version=v2.5" async="" type="text/javascript"></script></div><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/PinoySingers/photos/a.453173381469858/2712001882253652/?type=3&amp;theater" data-width="auto"> </div><p>The Concerned Artists of the Philippines, a group founded by National Artist for Films Lino Brocka, said that the move was reminiscent of the martial law years. </p><p>&quot;We must not forget our history of repression and resistance,&quot; the group reminded its followers.</p><div><script src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&amp;version=v2.5" async="" type="text/javascript"></script></div><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/artistangbayan/photos/a.217690818242635/3128338260511195/?type=3&amp;theater" data-width="auto"> </div><p>Sen. Christopher &quot;Bong&quot; Go has already said that Duterte has &quot;<a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/11/20/go-duterte-has-nothing-to-do-with-calidas-quo-warranto-plea-vs-abs-cbn">nothing to do</a>&quot; with Calida&#x27;s petition.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/02/10/20/angel-coco-regine-vice-ganda-express-support-for-abs-cbn-after-osgs-quo-warranto-move">READ: Angel, Coco, Regine, Vice Ganda express support for ABS-CBN after OSG&#x27;s quo warranto move</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/02/11/20/boy-abunda-turns-emotional-about-abs-cbn-franchise">READ: Boy Abunda turns emotional about ABS-CBN franchise</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/02/11/20/dingdong-dantes-stands-with-abs-cbn-amid-franchise-challenge">READ: Dingdong Dantes stands with ABS-CBN amid franchise challenge</a></li></ul>

<p>'We must hold the line,' 'a significant blow to our community': Several artists group, including filmmakers and musicians, have criticized the petition to shut down ABS-CBN.</p>

'We must hold the line,' 'a significant blow to our community': Several artists group, including filmmakers and musicians, have criticized the petition to shut down ABS-CBN.