As election season heats up in the Philippines, a familiar name has stirred emotions online, this time not for running, but for endorsing someone who played a big role in silencing a major media network.
Former news chief of ABS-CBN, Ging Reyes, took to Facebook to express her disappointment after seeing ex-reporter turned politician Sol Aragones publicly support Congressman Rodante Marcoleta’s Senate campaign.
It was Marcoleta who, in 2020, stood out as one of the loudest voices against ABS-CBN during congressional hearings. His efforts led to the network losing its franchise, and thousands losing their jobs. So when someone who once wore the same press ID as many of those displaced backed him, it struck a nerve.
Reyes didn’t mention Aragones by name, but the message was loud and clear. She posted a heartfelt message days before May 5, the date ABS-CBN was forced off-air. She described the pain of that moment as something still very real for many, even five years later.
A screenshot of Aragones’ endorsement post was also shared by a satirical account and quickly made its rounds online. The reactions came fast, mostly shock, sadness, and anger. Many couldn’t believe that someone who worked at the network for more than a decade would support a politician linked to its closure.
Sol Aragones left ABS-CBN in 2012 to pursue a political career. While she hasn’t directly responded to the backlash, her alignment with Marcoleta has raised bigger questions about values and memory, especially for those who were part of the ABS-CBN shutdown fallout.
The closure of the network in 2020 didn’t just affect careers. It changed the media landscape. ABS-CBN had long been a key player in covering disasters, educating rural areas, and holding the powerful accountable. Its absence is still felt, especially during times of national crisis.
Ging Reyes’ post served as a reminder that, even as the country looks ahead to new leaders in 2025, the scars from what happened to ABS-CBN are still fresh for many. And seeing former allies switch sides isn’t something everyone is ready to accept quietly.
(via Ging Reyes / Professional Heckler)
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