Ces Drilon among ABS-CBN layoffs; MOR 101.9 signs off
Veteran broadcast journalist and ANCX executive editor Ces Oreña-Drilon confirmed on social media that she was among the ABS-CBN employees laid off following the non-renewal of the network giant's franchise.
In a tweet, Drilon expressed her sadness saying: "This was one of the toughest days I had to face. Telling fellow Kapamilyas that they would lose their jobs by the end of August."
"I lost mine too," the former Bandila anchor said.
Drilon has been with ABS-CBN since 1989. She co-anchored news programs The World Tonight and TV Patrol.
In another post, she wrote: "Babangon din ang mga Kapamilya. This may be our darkest hour. But don't lose hope."
Broadcaster Karen Davila said she is heartbroken over the news about her fellow Bandila anchor.
"This is heartbreaking. It's been an honor to be alongside you in Bandila. You are an ABS-CBN news icon and inspiration. I am preparing my heart as well for the worst and will stand by ABS-CBN til the end," Davila wrote.
Meanwhile, Czarina Balba, famously known as DJ Chacha, revealed in an interview over DZMM that ABS-CBN radio station MOR 101.9 is ceasing operations.
"Sinabi na sa amin na expect the worst talaga. Pwedeng retrenchment, pwedeng stop operations 'yung ibang department ng ABS-CBN (We have been told to expect the worst. Retrenchment, or other ABS-CBN departments may stop operations)," Balba said.
"Kami po ay under ng ABS-CBN, kami ang FM station dito sa Maynila pero hindi lang kami, marami pong MOR sa buong Pilipinas. Hindi lang sa Maynila ang mga mawawalan ng trabaho. So kagabi sinabi ng mga boss namin na hanggang August 31 next month na lang ang MOR (We are under ABS-CBN, we are their FM station here in Manila, but there are MOR stations all over the Philippines. Employees working outside Manila will lose their jobs too. Last night, our bosses told us that MOR will only operate until August 31)," she added.
On Wednesday (July 15) ABS-CBN announced that it is laying off workers effective August 31 as it ceases the operations of some of its businesses after the House committee on legislative franchises denied the company a fresh 25-year franchise.