KBP welcomes City Hall's move to settle unpaid ads

CEBU, Philippines - RADIO and television network executives welcomed Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama’s move to settle the city’s obligation to them amounting to P1.7 million that remained not paid by the previous administration.

The city owes the P1.7 million to seven radio and television stations during the first term of then mayor and now Rep. Tomas Osmeña.

“We welcome that development,” said dySS and GMA 7 radio anchor and TV personality Bobby Nalzaro, who was still active member of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) that time.

Nalzaro recalls that he was very vocal in his radio program in 2001 criticizing the administration of Osmeña because of the latter’s refusal to pay its obligations.

Osmeña had been adamant in refusing to settle the obligation to the radio and TV stations despite persistent demands by the stations for payment. He vetoed the resolutions that would have authorized payment saying the airtimes, was taken out by then mayor Alvin Garcia and did not go through the City Council for approval.

Garcia took out the airtimes to promote programs on sanitation, environment and information technology.

Garcia, a former friend-turned-bitter-enemy of Osmeña was defeated by the latter in the May 2001 election.

“That was the time that we had a verbal tussle with then Mayor Osmeña,” Nalzaro said, adding that the former mayor even threatened to close down GMA 7-Cebu because of his hard-hitting commentaries.

Nalzaro said the KBP also passed a resolution banning City Hall to transact business with the KBP member stations.

City Hall owes P920, 112 to ABS-CBN; P189, 750 to ABC 21; P240,000 to radio station DYLA; P161, 521 to both GMA 7 and DYSS; P130,000 to RPN 9 and P81,000 to Bombo Radyo.

“These stations aired city hall commercial and blocktime program, so it is just fair that City Hall should pay us,” Nalzaro added.

DYLA general manager Jun Tagalog told The FREEMAN that the city government should pay the seven radio and TV stations since they have delivered what is due for the city.Like Nalzaro, Tagalog also said that “in good faith we delivered the services” as the stations entered a legitimate contract. (FREEMAN)