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MANILA, Philippines – Some social network users criticized the president of the Senate, Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, on Monday, May 11, for abstaining from voting on Senate Resolution No. 395, which asks the National Telecommunications Commission ( NTC) to reconsider its cease and desist order against the media giant ABS-CBN.
Netizens recalled that, on the night of the ABS-CBN shutdown, Sotto had tweeted that the senators would “approve” the ABS-CBN franchise once it was submitted to the Senate.
ABS franchise, bring it to the Senate, we’ll approve it!
– Tito Sotto (@sotto_tito) May 5, 2020
On Monday, Sotto was among 9 senators who abstained from voting on Senate Resolution No. 395, arguing that the ball was now in the hands of the House of Representatives and the Supreme Court (SC).
The senators abstained from the resolution:
The President of the Senate, Vicente Sotto III
Senator Panfilo Lacson
Senator Francis Tolentino
Senator Cynthia Villar
Senator Imee Marcos
Senator Ronald dela Rosa
Senator Bong Go
Senator Bong Revilla
Senator Pia Cayetanovia @reyaika
– Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) May 11, 2020
During the Senate session, Senator Panfilo Lacson asked if passing the resolution would “influence” the SC as ABS-CBN was already seeking a temporary restraining order against the NTC order.
“It is exactly the same point raised by ABS-CBN [before the Supreme Court], the order to cease and desist. That is my main point, “Lacson said.
After the Lacson rally, Sotto reiterated his position in favor of the media giant, “Perhaps in the future, if we are discussing the ABS-CBN franchise, unless something shocking arises, I will vote in favor of the ABS franchise. -CBN “.
But the president of the Senate said he subscribed to the position of retired senior associate judge from South Carolina, Antonio Carpio, that a law is needed to grant ABS-CBN a new franchise.
“But we are tackling a resolution that counteracts the prerogative of the executive department. I am inclined to have the same thinking as [former] Judge Antonio Carpio, “said Sotto.
Still, many turned to social media to express dismay at Sotto’s vote, With “Tito Sotto” he finally reached a place on the trending topics of Twitter in a few hours.
This is how they reacted to Sotto’s vote:
Tito Sotto – Tweets curated by rapplerdotcom
In addition to Sotto, Senator Pia Cayetano, who initially signed the resolution, also abstained and said she would like “to refrain from commenting” while the complaint is already pending with the SC.
On Monday, more than half of the senators approved Senate Resolution No. 395, which questions the NTC’s closing order against ABS-CBN, citing precedence and the “liberality” of the quasi-judicial body in the issuance of the franchise extension.
The resolution also reiterates the Senate’s position that ABS-CBN should be allowed to continue operations while your franchise is pending.
The other senators who abstained were Lacson, Francis Tolentino, Cynthia Villar, Imee Marcos, Ronald dela Rosa, Bong Go and Bong Revilla.
Under the Constitution, franchise bills must come from the House of Representatives. Only after the lower house passes a franchise bill, the Senate can address its version in plenary.
In the case of Senate Resolution No. 395, it is just a simple resolution that “expresses” the meaning of the Senate. It does not have the effect of a law. – with a report from Aika Rey / Rappler.com
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