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Joel Lamangan on ABS-CBN shutdown: 'A direct affront to freedom of expression'

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/05/07/20200224-abs-cbn-elj-rgb-gcs-1889.jpg?ext=.jpg"/></figure></div><p>MANILA - Directors Guild of the Philippines (DGPI) board member Joel Lamangan described the order to shut down the TV and radio broadcast operations of ABS-CBN as a “direct affront to freedom of expression.”</p><p>In an interview with ANC on Thursday, the veteran director said freedom of expression is mandated by the Constitution and preventing one from exercising it is a clear violation of human rights.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1AOpjMVCw0I?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>“Ito ay pagyurak sa karapatan sa pamamahayag at pagpapahayag. It is stated in the Constitution, naroon ang karapatan natin na iyon. Kapag hindi binigay ang karapatan na iyon, &#x27;yun ay pagyurak sa ating Saligang Batas,” he said.</p><p>Lamangan also called out the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for reneging on its previous statement under oath that it would grant ABS-CBN, the country&#x27;s leading media and entertainment company, a provisional authority to operate pending its franchise renewal.</p><p>With this unfortunate development, Lamangan said everyone should be vigilant on what else the government could do especially during this uncertain time.</p><p>“Ang ano man pagyurak sa ating karapatan sa pamamahayag ay dapat nating labanan. If they can do this to ABS-CBN which is a very big and giant broadcast company, paano na &#x27;yung maliliit na broadcast company? How sure are we na hindi iyan magagawa sa kanila,” he said.</p><p>More than being the largest platform where filmmakers can showcase their work, Lamangan said ABS-CBN’s job is also vital as the country faces a crisis because it is a source of reliable information.</p><p>“Kailangan natin ang malalaking broadcasting company kagaya ng ABS-CBN. Kung kailan mayroon tayong problema, saka nila aalisin. Ano ba ang ating kaaway, ABS-CBN ba o ang COVID-19?” he said.</p><p>For him, the NTC should have given the network a provisional authority to continue its service to the whole nation. He also called out Congress for not acting on ABS-CBN’s application for franchise renewal swiftly.</p><p>“Ang Kongreso ang umupo diyan at hindi ibinigay ang prangkisa. Dapat gumawa ng paraan ang Kongreso sapagkat alam na nila na mawawala na ang karapatang mag-broadcast. Gumawa sila ng paraan upang mapahaba pa ang pagbo-broadcast lalo na ngayon sa panahon ng pandemya. Inutos iyan dahil lamang sa palagay ko ay alam nila na ayaw ng ating Pangulo na magbukas ang ABS-CBN. Lahat sila ay kinakailangan pagbigyan ang gusto ng Pangulo na parusahan ang ABS-CBN,” he said.</p><p>With the current situation of the country, Lamangan said government authorities should be more concerned of societal needs than their personal interests.</p><p>“Dapat ang kapakanan ng taumbayan ang tinitignan, hindi ang interes o kapakanan o pagsama ng loob ng sino mang tao, kundi ang kapakanan ng maraming tao. Sa panahon ng pandemya, kailangan nating malaman ang nangyayari sa kapuluan. Malaki ang naitutulong ng ABS-CBN sa bagay na ito. Ang ano mang uri nang pagsasamantala sa ating karapatan sa pagpapahayag at pamamahayag ay dapat tinututulan,” he said.</p><p>The filmmaker said it is very unfortunate that with the shutdown of ABS-CBN, more employees are in danger of losing jobs.</p>

<p>Directors Guild of the Philippines (DGPI) board member Joel Lamangan described the order to shut down the TV and radio broadcast operations of ABS-CBN as a “direct affront to freedom of expression.”</p>

Directors Guild of the Philippines (DGPI) board member Joel Lamangan described the order to shut down the TV and radio broadcast operations of ABS-CBN as a “direct affront to freedom of expression.”