IN PHOTOS: Kapamilyas stand side by side down heartbreaking road

ABS-CBN News

<div><em>This article is part of a series commemorating the House of Representatives&#x27; 70-11 vote on July 10, 2020 rejecting ABS-CBN&#x27;s franchise renewal. </em></div><p>Unlike the suddenness with which the nail was driven during the shutdown on May 5, 2020, the saga on the congressional franchise for ABS-CBN was excruciatingly slow and painful.</p><p>After ABS-CBN went off-air due to a cease-and-desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Communication, Kapamilyas remained hopeful that a fresh 25-year broadcast franchise would be granted after 12 lengthy deliberations of the Philippine House Committee on Legislative Franchise.</p><p>But on July 10, all hopes were dashed after 70 members of the House franchise committee voted yes to adopt the Technical Working Group’s recommendation disapproving ABS-CBN’s franchise application. Eleven members voted no, while 3 inhibited.<br/> <br/>The denial of a fresh franchise to one of the country’s largest broadcast networks seemed inevitable with President Duterte’s apparent hostility against ABS-CBN. He has openly attacked the network for allegedly failing to air some of his ads during the 2016 presidential campaign.</p><p>Throughout the saga before and after the decision of the Lower House of Congress, supporters and press freedom advocates stood beside the network&#x27;s employees like true Kapamilyas.</p><div class="media-content"><div class="slider-for"><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/1-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/2-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/3-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/4-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/5-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/6-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/7-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/8-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/9-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/10-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/11-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/12-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/13-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/14-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/15-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/16-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/17-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/18-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/19-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/20-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/21-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/22-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/23-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/24-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/25-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/26-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/27-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/28-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/29-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/30-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/31-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/multimedia/07/09/32-abs-cbn-franchise-denial-1-year.jpg"/></div></div><div class="media-content slider-desc"><div class="item-desc"><p>An elderly couple share their memories about watching ABS-CBN over the years moments before the network giant signed off on May 5, 2020. <cite>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Supporters express their sympathies on a freedom wall set up outside the ABS-CBN broadcasting center in Quezon City on July 5, 2020 as the franchise hearing went on in Congress. <cite>Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>ABS-CBN employees and supporters prepare for the solidarity caravan calling for the approval of ABS-CBN&#x27;s franchise application on July 10, 2020. <cite>Gigie Cruz,, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>TV host Vice Ganda joins fellow &quot;It&#x27;s Showtime&quot; artists during a motorcade around the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center on July 10, 2020. <cite>Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>ABS-CBN Creative Programs Inc. President Ernie Lopez gives a message during the solidarity event outside the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center Quezon City on July 10, 2020, as the crowd awaits the decision in Congress. <cite>Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Actress Nikki Valdez turns emotional as the decision on ABS-CBN&#x27;s franchise application was being announced during a solidarity event at Sgt. Esguerra on July 10, 2020. <cite>Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Actress Angel Locsin expresses her disappointment outside the ABS-CBN headquarters in Quezon City after a House committee voted to deny the network&#x27;s new franchise on July 10, 2020. <cite>Larry Monserate Piojo, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>An employee turns emotional after a House committee voted to deny the ABS-CBN’s new franchise application on July 10, 2020. <cite>Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Employees inside the newsroom react as the House legislative franchises committee voted to deny the network’s franchise application on July 10, 2020. <cite>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>ABS-CBN employees comfort each other after the House legislative franchises committee voted to deny the network’s franchise application on July 10, 2020. <cite>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Members of the board of ABS-CBN console each other after the House legislative franchises committee rejected the network&#x27;s application on July 10, 2020. <cite>Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Chief Operating Officer for Broadcast Cory Vidanes comforts President and CEO Carlo L. Katigbak after the congressional legislative franchises committee denied the network&#x27;s application on July 10, 2020. <cite>Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo L. Katigbak delivers a message addressed to viewers thanking them for their support after the House of Representatives voted to deny the franchise application of the network on July 10, 2020. <cite>Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>ABS-CBN Integrated News and Current Affairs head Ging Reyes joins other ABS-CBN employees during a candle lighting at the ABS-CBN headquarters after the denial of the legislative franchise on July 10, 2020. <cite>Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Chief Operating Officer for Broadcast Cory Vidanes, Chairman Mark Lopez, and President and CEO Carlo L. Katigbak express appreciation to ABS-CBN employees and supporters during a vigil outside the network after a House committee denied the franchise application on July 10, 2020. <cite>Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>ABS-CBN employees and supporters conduct a noise barrage outside the network&#x27;s headquarters along Sgt. Esguerra Avenue in Quezon City on July 12, 2020. <cite>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Employees, supporters and press freedom advocates protest the shutdown of ABS-CBN during a rally in front of the broadcasting network&#x27;s headquarters in Quezon City on July 18, 2020. <cite>Basilio H. Sepe, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>ABS-CBN supporters gather in front of the network&#x27;s headquarters in Quezon City on July 18, 2020 for a noise barrage to protest the House&#x27;s decision denying the network a franchise. <cite>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Members of the Purple Cross Movement pray in front of the ABS-CBN headquarters in Quezon City Thursday as a sign of solidarity with the network. <cite>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>An ABS-CBN supporter joins the noise barrage outside the ABS-CBN headquarters in Quezon City on July 15, 2020, days after the House of Representatives denied the network&#x27;s franchise application. <cite>Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>ABS-CBN employees and supporters hold a caravan and noise barrage from the Makati Central Business District to the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center in Quezon City on July 18, 2020. <cite>Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>ABS-CBN Corp. President and CEO Carlo Katigbak joins the noise barrage and motorcade along EDSA in Quezon City, July 18, 2020. <cite>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Sisters from St. Scholastica’s College join the noise barrage caravan as they pass by Sgt. Esguerra Avenue on July 18, 2020. <cite>George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>ABS-CBN employees and supporters converge at the network&#x27;s headquarters in Quezon City on July 18, 2020 after a metro-wide motorcade and noise barrage. <cite>Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Employees and supporters put their signatures on the People’s Initiative for a new franchise for ABS-CBN at the network’s headquarters in Quezon City on August 28, 2020. <cite>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>A small group of ABS-CBN reporters and media workers light candles in front of their regional station in Cagayan de Oro on July 18, 2020. <cite>Froilan Gallardo, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>ABS-CBN TV Patrol North Luzon workers turn emotional as they air the last newscast of their regional station on August 28, 2020. <cite>Jong Gasmeña, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>ABS-CBN employees turn emotional while watching the farewell segment of the TV Patrol regional networks during the solidarity night outside the ABS CBN headquarters on August 28, 2020. <cite>Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>ABS-CBN employees and supporters hold a noise barrage outside the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center in Quezon City on July 18, 2020. <cite>Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak and Chairman Mark Lopez (from left) watch a tribute video at the ELJ Building lobby of the company&#x27;s headquarters in Quezon City on August 31, 2020. The tribute to 11,071 employees was unveiled on Heroes&#x27; Day, the last day of almost half of ABS-CBN&#x27;s workforce who were retrenched after the lower House denied the network&#x27;s franchise. <cite>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>The ABS-CBN compound lights up in the network’s colors on May 5, 2021, a year after the National Telecommunications Commission shut down ABS-CBN&#x27;s free TV and radio operations. <cite>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Members of the Photojournalists&#x27; Center of the Philippines stage a light-painting protest in front of the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center on the eve of the fifth State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte. <cite>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div></div></div>

<p>Throughout the saga surrounding the Lower House's rejection of ABS-CBN's franchise renewal, supporters and press freedom advocates stood beside the network's employees like true Kapamilyas.</p>

Throughout the saga surrounding the Lower House's rejection of ABS-CBN's franchise renewal, supporters and press freedom advocates stood beside the network's employees like true Kapamilyas.

IN PHOTOS: Kapamilyas stand side by side down heartbreaking road | ABS-CBN

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IN PHOTOS: Kapamilyas stand side by side down heartbreaking road

IN PHOTOS: Kapamilyas stand side by side down heartbreaking road

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 09, 2021 09:00 PM PHT

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