‘We no longer expect it’: Vice Ganda responds to claims that some artists’ decision was ‘for the franchise’
Comedy superstar Vice Ganda on Wednesday responded to claims that ABS-CBN’s move was “for the franchise” that many artists have been making in recent weeks.

Vice Ganda denied the allegations on social media on a live episode of “It’s Showtime.” The ABS-CBN franchise was discussed while Vice Ganda and Vhong Navarro were interviewing Tawag ng Tanghalan contestant Dan Concilles.

Since Concilles sang “Sabihin Mo Na,” Vice Ganda was asked what he wanted to say to the new president of the Philippines, now that the elections on May 9 are approaching.

Concilles mentioned the loss of ABS-CBN’s franchise, saying, “We also lost the joy when the network went off the air.”On Wednesday’s episode of ‘It’s Showtime,’ Vice Ganda denied accusations that some artists have recently taken steps ‘for the sake of ABS-CBN’s franchise. ABS-CBN

It’s been almost two years since ABS-CBN was removed from free TV, after Congress refused to grant it a new franchise.

At this point, Vice Ganda took it upon himself to respond to some accusations he’s been reading about some Kapamilya stars.

Vice Ganda didn’t provide any context. (Watch the video below at 16:50.)

On Saturday, the “Unkabogable Star” joined dozens of celebrities endorsing Vice President Leni Robredo’s presidential candidacy. Robredo is part of the opposition.

“Let’s just clarify, okay. Because many people say, these artists, they are doing things because their only goal is to get the franchise back.

“Just for the information of the majority, we no longer have the expected franchise, because our old franchise already has an owner. We are no longer pursuing the old franchise, because our franchise already has an owner, and it has been theirs for decades,” he said.

This January, the National Telecommunications Commission confirmed that the old frequencies of ABS-CBN are now held by Advanced Media Broadcasting System Inc. of former senator Manny Villar (Channel 2 and 16), Sonshine Media Network of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy (Channel 43), and Aliw Broadcasting Corporation (Channel 23).

“ABS-CBN has nothing to pursue,” said Vice Ganda. “ABS-CBN has no more franchises applied for, so we are not pursuing any franchises. It can’t be caught up anymore.”

“ABS-CBN is no longer after any franchise,” he stressed.

Vice Ganda added: “Because I always read, ‘This is how it is, because of the franchise, because they are expecting.’ There is no more expectation. That chapter is over. It is over.”

However, ABS-CBN is making a comeback, he said. Vice Ganda pointed out the new direction the company is taking as a content provider, which is gradually giving back jobs to those who lost their jobs when the new franchise was denied. “Jobs can still come back, because now, ABS-CBN is producing or creating a lot of content that can be aired on many platforms. More content, more jobs. That’s why ABS-CBN is gradually opening up opportunities,” Vice Ganda said.