Gigi ready to talk with SIAM if ‘exciters’ are returned

Cebu Provincial Board Member Gigi Sanchez- Zaballero chats with younger brother Greco during a turnover of ambulances at the Capitol compound. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

Cebu Provincial Board Member Grecilda “Gigi” Sanchez said she is willing to dialog with the franchise owner of Bantay Radyo after they return the electronic devices removed from three transmission sites.

Sanchez, who earlier sued Sarraga Integration and Management Group (SIAM) over the non-renewal of their management contract, said she doesn’t want to negotiate with those who do not heed the law.

Without the devices or exciters, the stations remain off the air.

“We go to arbitration and then our agreements are still not respected. At least, if they return the exciters, that to me is a sign of good will. I am looking forward to that,” she told reporters yesterday.

READ: Court asks network to return devices to Bantay Radyo

The Regional Trial Court (RTC) on Monday issued a preliminary injunction stopping a planned takeover of Bantay Radyo’s three stations in Cebu and Negros.

SIAM was ordered to maintain the status quo while a civil case is being heard and to immediately return the exciters which were removed from the network’s three transmitters on Aug. 1.

The court action also stops SIAM’s attempt to turn over management of dyDD, dyHH, and dyZZ to the Cebu CFI Community Cooperative, Inc. after the management contract with PAFI Foundation expired July 31.

While SIAM earlier asked the court for arbitration of the dispute, Sanchez insisted that the electronic devices, which control the staion’s radio frequencies,  be returned first before discussion starts.

“First return it and we can talk. It’s not right to take the law into your hands,” the board member said.

The Sanchez-owned PAFI Foundation has been managing the network of AM radio stations since 2002.

Since Bantay Radyo was forced off the air last Aug. 1, Sanchez said the foundation  has been losing every day.

She estimated P2 million in losses for each month that they do not operate.

“We have electricity bills for our transmitters, security guards, and contracts that have ceased to continue. I might end up with another lawsuit if I don’t get up on it,” said Sanchez.

However, she said she is still hoping the broadcast group will return the devices that were taken.

SIAM’s lawyer Florentino Dumlao III earlier admitted during court hearings that the company removed the exciters of the three stations from the transmitter compound.

PAFI filed contempt charges against SIAM and CFI for defying the court’s restraining order dated July 30.

Sanchez said she is not setting an ultimatum or deadline for SIAM to return the devices, but said that if she were company representatives, she would “return them immediately.”

The board member said she had spoken to SIAM Vice President Gigi Roa regarding the matter.

Although she refused to divulge details of their discussion, she said Roa was against the move done by her own company.

“She was not for it,” Sanchez said.

Bantay Radyo recently hooked up to radio dyCM to continue and can also be heard in some parts of Toledo City and Pinamungajan town in the third district, which Sanchez, represents.