GMA Network resigns from KBP
By Mary Ann Ll. Reyes
The Philippine Star 09/05/2003
The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) will not act on GMA Network’s resignation from the organization, until after the various cases filed against the network with the KBP have been disposed of and after GMA pays what is due the group, The STAR learned yesterday.
The KBP board, chaired by Cerge Remonde, in its meeting last Wednesday also accepted the resignation of KBP president Jose Antonio Veloso, a representative of GMA Network, and named executive vice-president Pinky Aseron to succeed him. Aseron took her oath on Wednesday.
GMA Network chairman Felipe Gozon, in a letter addressed to Remonde sent earlier this week, informed the KBP of the broadcasting company’s decision to resign from KBP, without stating any reason.
A source from the network, however, told The STAR that GMA wants KBP to agree to the network’s proposal to lift the current 18 minute per hour cap on commercials placement and any limit for that matter.
During its board meeting, the KBP formally acknowledged receipt of the letter of resignation of GMA.
Aseron also told The STAR in a telephone interview that the KBP by-laws prevent the group from taking action upon GMA’s resignation until after the cases pending before KBP against GMA have been disposed of and until GMA pays its outstanding dues.
In particular, section 7 of the by-laws states that any member may resign upon payment of fees due the organization, provided that no action shall be taken on such resignation if the member has a pending case with the KBP.
"Once these cases have been decided upon, that’s the time the KBP will act on GMA’s resignation," a KBP board member said.
Most of these cases against GMA involve violations of provisions of the Television Code, a set of rules promulgated by the broadcasting industry as part of their self-regulation.
One of these cases involves obscenity, in particular certain foul‚ statements uttered by Startalk host Rossana Roces in her show aired over GMA 7. The second one involves GMA news anchor Mike Enriquez who in several instances allegedly lambasted rival ABS-CBN on air, which is expressly prohibited in the Code. The third one involves commercial overloading. The rules provide for a maximum 18 minutes per hour of commercials.
A GMA official told The STAR that the network resigned from KBP as its membership in the organization is no longer beneficial to it.
A KBP source on the one hand revealed that GMA 7 knew that a suspension by the KBP was forthcoming and resigning now would prevent GMA from being put in a bad light. "Management of GMA also probably does not realize the implications of its move, especially on the advertisers," the source added.
There are reports that the Advertising Board (Ad Board), also headed by Remonde, will be meeting soon to discuss the possible implications of GMA’s resignation from KBP. But this early, The STAR learned that most of the major advertising agency associations in the country are already worried about the repercussions of GMA’s decision.
But most of these associations said they have been invited by GMA Network to discuss the matter and until after the meeting, they would not be in a position to judge GMA’s action. "We have also not received any advice from the KBP. In fact, we just read from The STAR about GMA’s resignation," one advertising executive said.
On the other hand, a highly placed source said GMA 7 has been barraged by questions from the advertising industry that it was forced to schedule meetings with the different organizations.
Boy Pangilinan of the 4As (Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies) told The STAR that their only concern is that if GMA is no longer part of KBP, it will no longer be a member of the Ad Board and therefore no longer covered by self-regulation. He refused to elaborate.
The head of one of the country’s largest advertising industry groups meanwhile said that as much as possible, the industry wants "to save the situation."
"But we will abide by whatever the Ad Board will decide eventually on the matter," the official said.
There are some ‘maverick’ agencies which this early are toying on the idea of including a clause in their broadcast order that if GMA violates current practices, the former reserves the right not to pay. "Expect the others however to ask GMA to reconsider its decision," an industry executive said.
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