Vice-president's prime time television show cancelled

Manila: Television network ABS-CBN has cancelled the popular 18-year-old prime time programme of Vice-President Noli de Castro.

Good Evening my countrymen (Magandang Gabi Bayan or MGB) was axed for political reasons, said a source, adding that de Castro had allegedly refused the request of the Lopez family to withdraw his support for President Gloria Arroyo.

The source quoted De Castro as having told the Lopezes: "I can't use my programme to attack the administration because I'm part of the administration."

MGB's last show was on December 31. It was co-anchored by De Castro's daughter, Katherine, with Erwin Tulfo and Henry Omaga Diaz.

ABS-CBN has been critical of Arroyo since she backed the efforts of the government-owned National Power Corporation to collect billions of pesos in debts owed by the Lopez-owned Manila Electric Company (Meralco).

De Castro declined to comment on the observation that he was a victim of politics.

MGB's fate

Sources said the vice- president's wife Arlene met with the MGB anchors and staff members in November to tell them about the fate of MGB.

Its contract with ABS-CBN expired in December. The segment was taken out because of its bad ratings, said a station source, but others said it was still popular.

Last week, Kamao, a show on Filipino boxing hosted by Ted Failon, was shown in the time slot of de Castro's programme. It will run for the next three weeks prior to the boxing rematch between the Philippines' Manny Pacquiao and Mexico's Eric Morales.

De Castro was no longer part of the MGB because Cabinet members are not allowed to have direct interests in any business.

In a statement, Maria Ressa, head of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation's news and current affairs, said, "MGB is Noli de Castro, and without him, it's a shadow of its former self. We decided to retire the title as well because it's so identified with him. I believe it's time to come up with fresh ideas for that coveted prime-time slot."