MANILA — Local superstar Anne Curtis, an ABS-CBN contract artist for more than 16 years, was among the celebrities who expressed support for the network after its franchise application was denied Friday by Congress.

"I am lost for words," Curtis wrote on Instagram, after the
House legislative franchises committee, in a vote of 70-11, effectively shuttered ABS-CBN's free-TV and radio broadcast permanently.

ABS-CBN had been trying to renew its franchise since 2014, but faced several roadblocks, especially under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, who had repeatedly promised to close it down.

"My heart breaks for everyone that is affected by this, from our bosses to all the employees and the loyal viewers of ABS-CBN," Curtis said.

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A post shared by Anne Curtis (@annecurtissmith) on Jul 10, 2020 at 12:58am PDT

The shutdown puts at risk the job security of some 11,000 employees. Every day it is off air, ABS-CBN loses around P35 million, and by August, it may be forced to retrench workers, the company has said.

That's aside from millions of Filipino viewers being deprived of their source of entertainment and information amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"It is indeed a very sad day. I know people won't forget this," Curtis said.

Curtis, 35, has been a Kapamilya since 2004. Prior to her giving birth in March, Curtis regularly co-hosted ABS-CBN's noontime program "It's Showtime," which she has time and again credited for changing her life.

"Maraming salamat sa lahat ng sumuporta at nagdasal.
I stay hopeful that somehow this isn't the end... A big hug to my Kapamilya Family," she wrote.