MANILA - Members of Congress should “do their job” in relation to pending bills for the renewal of broadcast network Easy Rock’s franchise, Malacañang said Thursday.
It is the responsibility of Congress to deliberate on whether or not to grant or renew franchises, Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) and Star City spokesperson Rudolph Jularbal said as he again distanced Manila Broadcasting Company President Ruperto Nicdao Jr. from the issue surrounding MBC 96.3 Easy Rock's franchise.
“As far as he (Duterte) is concerned, that issue is in the hands of Congress and he has nothing to do with it. Do their work,” Nicdao told reporters in Malacañang.
Duterte also has this message to lawmakers, Panelo said: “You know your duties, you do not have to be prodded on to do your duties.”
Duterte has repeatedly said he would oppose MBC's franchise renewal, complaining of the network's supposed failure to air a paid campaign ad before the 2017 presidential elections.
Analysts have said that Duterte’s threats influenced lawmakers, who have yet to act on pending bills seeking a renewal of MBC’s franchise set to expire on May 31.
Still, Elizalde said the President does not wish the network to shut down.
Duterte 'does not want' MBC to close: spokesman
Despite this, the government’s top lawyer still sought to invalidate the network’s license to operate before the Supreme Court over alleged “abuses” the company committed in relation to its franchise.
MBC, however, denied the allegations, saying it “did not violate the law.”
It is also serves as a radio transmitter and secondary studio facilities of the FM radio stations 90.7 Love Radio, 101.1 Yes The Best and 96.3 Easy Rock, as well as temporary studios of AM radio station DZRH and community-formatted national FM station Radyo Natin, all owned by Manila Broadcasting Company. #labankapantay #goodbyeeasyrock
On October 6, 2019, authorities determined the cause as arson after traces of gasoline were detected "in an area where it should not be". Additional factors that suggested arson were the detected char pattern and irregular bend of metals, as well as the fire spreading to two directions: toward the entrance of Star City and the MBC building. Star City officials, including a tenant and his personnel, have become the subject of investigation. According to a local fire marshal, the tenant and his unlogged personnel were spotted entering the premises with sacks of cotton on the day of the fire. The management, however, denied the arson claim, believing the fire to be unintentional, and criticized the fire officials' findings as "irresponsible". The management explained that the gasoline was brought in to fuel their bumper boats, and that the tenant's action was a standard procedure as cotton was used as stuffing for the plush toys offered as prizes in some of the games. It also denied the alleged criminal motive of the employees, explaining that the business was lucrative especially during the Christmas season. Despite its protests, however, the management has vowed to cooperate in the probe.
The MBC, which runs the AM station DZRH and the FM stations Love Radio, Yes The Best, Easy Rock and Radyo Natin, was able to resume operations using its secondary facilities at the BSA Twin Towers in Mandaluyong for its FM stations, and in Valenzuela and Bulacan for its AM stations.
But today, on her 55th birthday, Macuja-Elizalde remains thankful and hopeful—particularly because no one was hurt.
“Yesterday, we lost almost everything in a devastating fire that ate up Star Theater, Star City, MBC building and parts of Aliw Theater,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “I would just like to say THANK YOU to all who will remember those glorious years of the park complex that brought so much joy to me, my family, my company and our community! Mabuhay po tayong lahat! Thank you to the Lord for NO ONE WAS HURT! Thank you to all who remember me today! Thank you for making me feel so very blessed!”
As images of the Star City complex being engulfed in flames spread all over social media, countless shared memories of their favorite attractions at the Pasay landmark. Several brought up the many rides they took, the variety of concessionaires surrounding the amusement park, the imposing Snow World, and the equally commanding Manila Broadcasting Company—all of which are now charcoaled ruins.
