Ginalit si Gabby Lopez! Bobi Tiglao reveals why ABS-CBN gave Noy bad press despite ‘dilawan’ tag

ABS-CBN didn’t hold back in covering some of the biggest scandals of the Aquino administration– such as the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) and 2015 Mamasapano massacre– because the network’s top boss had enough of then-President Benigno Aquino III’s hubris.

Former Cabinet Secretary Rigoberto “Bobi” Tiglao claimed Monday (May 11) that ABS-CBN chairman Emeritus Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III had a falling out with Aquino after the then-President publicly slammed veteran anchor Noli De Castro and other unnamed reporters for negative news about his administration.

Aquino’s rant allegedly happened when he spoke at the 25th anniversary of ABS-CBN’s flagship newscast, “TV Patrol,” on July 28, 2012.

“[I]n his five-minute speech, Aquino pilloried TV Patrol anchor Noli de Castro and other unnamed reporters for being negative about his administration, scolding them for reporting ‘baseless speculations’ that he likened to street-corner talk by drunkards,” Tiglao said.

“Lopez of course was livid, and in their after-event drinks allegedly told his people:’“Doesn’t he realize he wouldn’t be president if not for us?” From then on, ABS-CBN never again invited Aquino to any of its events. The two scions of the country’s most powerful families — who both weathered fortunes’ ups and downs to emerge on top of the heap — would never speak again after that event,” he added.

After Aquino’s speech, Tiglao said Lopez told ABS-CBN’s news and current affairs division not to hold back in covering scandals of the previous administration.

“The good journalists at ABS-CBN were elated, as some kind of word came down from the “Penthouse,” referring to Gabby’s office at the building’s very top floor: ‘Do your job. We don’t owe anybody anything,’” the former Cabinet Secretary said.

Tiglao said ABS-CBN’s refusal to give Aquino consistent favorable coverage angered him that he allegedly ordered the House of Representatives, under the leadership of then-Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., to sit on the network’s franchise renewal bid.

A bill was filed for the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise in 2014 by then-Isabela Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao.

“Word had gotten out of course, from Noynoy: Don’t give ABS-CBN a franchise,” Tiglao said.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)