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ABS-CBN helped Pampanga after Pinatubo eruption, says solon backing franchise

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Jamaine Punzalan, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/06/01/pinatubo-eruption.jpg"/><figcaption>Mount Pinatubo eruption in June 1991, as seen from Clark Air Base. <em>Richard P. Hoblitt, U.S. Geological Survey/FILE photo</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — ABS-CBN Corp. helped Pampanga province recover from the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, the <a href="https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/1997/fs113-97/">second largest volcanic eruption</a> in the 20th century, a lawmaker said on Monday as he sought a fresh franchise for the broadcaster that regulators forced off the air last month. </p><p>The country&#x27;s largest broadcaster spearheaded relief efforts and news coverage when the Pinatubo eruption buried the province in ash in June 1991 and when a typhoon in 1995 spawned deadly lahar or mud flows, said Pampanga Third District Rep. Aurelio &quot;Dong&quot; Gonzales Jr. </p><p>ABS-CBN&#x27;s 2009-2010 series &quot;May Bukas Pa&quot;, shot in Pampanga&#x27;s Bacolor, also drew tourists and students on field trips to the town, he said. </p><p>&quot;Nagbigay po ito ng kaginhawaan,&quot; Gonzales said in a joint congressional hearing on the ABS-CBN franchise. &quot;Ang pakiramdam po ng mga kababayan ko, sabi po nila, may pag-asa pa pala iyong bayan natin.&quot; </p><p>(This gave us relief. My fellow residents said they felt there was hope for our town.) </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RApDbiprOiY?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>The National Telecommunications Office on May 5 ordered ABS-CBN to stop its broadcast operations, a day after its franchise expired. </p><p>The telecoms body earlier told lawmakers that it would let the 65-year-old outfit operate provisionally after its franchise expiration, while bills for its renewal were still pending in Congress. </p><p>The NTC issued a cease-and-desist order against the network after Solicitor General Jose Calida warned its officials that they could face graft charges if they gave ABS-CBN a provisional permit. <br/> <br/>The shutdown order &quot;suppresses the opportunity afforded to every Filipino people to engage in any livelihood or business,&quot; said Gonzales. </p><p>&quot;This is about respect for the rule of law. Nararapat lang po ipagkaloob at ibigay natin sa ABS-CBN ang presumption of innocence hangga&#x27;t wala pa po tayong pinal na desisyon o ang ating korte sa mga bintang,&quot; he said. </p><p>(It&#x27;s only right that we give ABS-CBN presumption of innocence while we or the court have no final decision yet on the accusations against it.) </p><p>Home to 11,000 workers, ABS-CBN in various fora had said that it did not violate any law. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/26/20/abs-cbn-makes-case-for-franchise-protect-jobs-keep-public-service-going">ABS-CBN makes case for franchise: Protect jobs, keep public service going</a></li></ul><p>Gonzales also said he had no vested interest in ABS-CBN&#x27;s franchise renewal, adding that he was like an ordinary citizen who just wants to see the network back on air. </p><p>Watch a livestreaming of the hearing here: </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jo5-UKLDnBc?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><div><em>news.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.</em></div>

<p>The country's largest broadcaster spearheaded relief efforts and news coverage when the Pinatubo eruption buried the province in ash in June 1991 and when a typhoon in 1995 spawned deadly lahar, said Pampanga Third District Rep. Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr. <br /> </p>

The country's largest broadcaster spearheaded relief efforts and news coverage when the Pinatubo eruption buried the province in ash in June 1991 and when a typhoon in 1995 spawned deadly lahar, said Pampanga Third District Rep. Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr.

ABS-CBN helped Pampanga after Pinatubo eruption, says solon backing franchise

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ABS-CBN helped Pampanga after Pinatubo eruption, says solon backing franchise

Jamaine Punzalan,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 01, 2020 12:12 PM PHT

|

Updated June 01, 2020 12:21 PM PHT

Read More:

ABS-CBN franchise

ABS-CBN franchise renewal

ABS-CBN shutdown

ABS-CBN cease and desist

NTC order ABS-CBN shutdown

ABS-CBN franchise expires

ABS-CBN closure

ABS-CBN House of Representatives

ABS-CBN NTC

Mt. Pinatubo eruption

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