RPN 9--a microcosm of government neglect and its bright future

Whoever becomes president in June 2010 should take a look at how government fucked up in running government owned and controlled corporations and I am referring to TV networks RPN 9 and IBC 13.

Since I left the network last 2002 and began the struggle against Gloria, my foremost concern was my colleagues' welfare. Many of the "oldies" of RPN 9 left already and retired. Those with higher ranks got their pensions and retirement benefits while those who were of lower standing were simply not given their dues.

My dream is to ask the new government to appoint former RPN 9 employees like me and let us transform the network from what it is dismally now today to a more stable and more dominant network in the future. RPN 9 is a microcosm of our economy, how, in the past, we were no. 1 and then slowly disintegrated into what is now, a non-rating TV network.  

The Tiengs, a close associate of the First Family, are the ones profitting from RPN 9 revenues. This must STOP. The Tiengs of Solar had their fill already and it is time for RPN 9 to be resurrected.

Time to put RPN 9 on the ratings board again. To do just that, government must ask the Tiengs to dis-engage, put new members of the board there and infuse funds to energize the network.

Government must invest in RPN 9 or if not possible, try to lure the Benedictos back. If the Benedictos still have money or maybe a cooperative venture with a big name magnate, then RPN 9 would surely be back on the leaderboard.

The people deserve another channel. The people deserve something better than what GMA 7 and ABS-CBN 2 offer.

If I just have the money, I'll buy RPN 9 and transform it into a 24-hour news and public affairs network, similar to CNN. There'll be local shows but more of lifestyle and entertainment shows. Likewise, I'll put Raffy Tulfo's show "Wanted sa Radyo" there as one of the centerpieces of the current affairs program. That will be the network's public affairs component.

I have been fighting for this for a decade now, and I hope that whoever becomes president, he will give these dreams a chance.