'Nalagasan na naman tayo': ABS-CBN's Alvin Elchico sympathizes with CNN Philippines' workers Jan Milo Severo - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — ABS-CBN news anchor Alvin Elchico sympathized with the media workers who lost their jobs because of CNN Philippines' closure. In an exclusive interview with Philstar.com after he received the Most Outstanding News Anchor award at the recent Gawad Lasallianeta, Alvin said he was saddened by the closure of the network. “Nakakalungkot na nalagasan nanaman tayo. Pero siyempre intindihin din natin na negosyo. At the end of the day, mga mamahayag tayo, may idealism tayo, prinsipyo tayo, pero it's also a business,” he said. “And when it's not anymore feasible or conducive kasi siyempre kailangan mo din kumita so maiintindihan mo din 'yung management,” he added. The “TV Patrol” anchor said that the closure of CNN Philippines will hurt the journalism industry because the country needs legitimate journalism. “Pero nakapanghihinayang dahil kakaunti na lang 'yung lehitimo, malalagasan pa. Kaya nakikiramay din tayo sa mga kasama natin sa CNN. Kung bilyonaryo lang ako, ako na ang bibili at hindi na nila kailangang mag-sara e. Kaya lang sino ba naman tayo, wala naman tayong resources to sustain it,” he said. “Ang problema nila hindi naman credibility e. Ang problema nila finances. Wala tayong magagawa do'n kung hindi makisimpatya,” he added. Nine Media Corp. (NMC) announced recently that television network CNN Philippines will officially cease operations starting today, January 31. “CNN Philippines will discontinue operations on all media platforms effective Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024,” the network said in an advisory posted on social media. “We are forever grateful for the stories we've shared, the audience we've served, and to our dedicated team for their commitment to uphold the values of truth, accuracy, fairness, and accountability,” it added.