Senator Robin Padilla is prepared to help revitalize the People’s Television Network (PTV) by way of support for its employees and facilities, so it will have the needed tools to fight fake news.
Padilla, who chaired the Senate hearing on the issues involving PTV, said he is looking for ways to address the problems at PTV, including the modernization of equipment and regularization of employees.
“Sa ngayon, lamang na lamang sa atin ang fake news. Kailangan nating labanan ito. Kailangan meron tayong medium na gamitin para malabanan ang kalokohan ng fake news na yan ang nakikita ko para labanan ang kalokohan na ito ang PTV,” the legislator said.
“Dapat kayo mag-Number 1 kasi government kayo.”
“Dapat kayo mag-Number 1 kasi government kayo. Wala akong alam na bansa na di sinusuportahan ang government channel, lalo noong panahong sangkaterba ang fake news dapat kayo namamayagpag. Suportahan namin kayo pagdating ng budget hearing. Siguraduhin naming nandoon kami,” the lawmaker added.
The senator gave the assurance after PTV General Manager Analisa Puod detailed her ideas to revitalize the network, including cultural, educational, sports and entertainment programs. Puod also said they are looking into possible collaborations with entities like ABS-CBN for their programming.
For his part, Padilla suggested that PTV produce teleseryes on Philippine history.
“Meron akong nakitang future sa teleserye.”
“Ako tutulong ako pero sa parte na merong future at meron akong nakitang future sa teleserye,” he said.
Also, Padilla said they need to find a way to regularize PTV’s employees, after learning that it has only 120 regular employees and 500 Contract of Service (COS) employees – with the last regularization occurring 20 years earlier.
“Kawawa ang mga tao,” he concluded.
