The Concerned Artists of the Philippines, an organization of local artists, musicians, writers, filmmakers, and cultural workers in the country, has expressed support for the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.

“We support the call for the immediate renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, which is set to expire in March 2020,” said the group in a statement posted on Facebook last Monday.

The group also called their members, allies, and fellow media workers to sign the 1M signatures for ABS-CBN franchise renewal petition initiated by the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines on change.org.

“We urge actors, actresses, directors, writers, producers, and other media workers, whether in ABS-CBN or other networks, to wield their influence for the common good and encourage more Filipinos to rally against what NUJP describes as a “rape of democracy,’” according the group’s statement.

The organization also called on Congress to consider the non-renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise as a threat to the future of its employees and their families and on the freedom of the press.

“Our representatives must understand that the threat to ABS-CBN’s future is not only a threat to the future of its thousands of employees and talents but also a threat to our democracy and freedom that they are bound to safeguard,” as stated in their official statement.

Numerous celebrities including Vice Ganda, Lea Salonga, Anne Curtis, Robi Domingo, Sunshine Cruz, Liza Soberano, Karla Estrada, Ria Atayde, Gretchen Ho, Agot Isidro, Marvin Agustin, Jolina Magdangal, Iza Calzado, Ogie Alcasid, and Regine Velasquez have also vented their support for ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal as they shared the petition on social media, calling on their followers to sign the NUJP-initiated petition.

Image courtesy of Concerned Artist of the Philippines Facebook page