Chamber approves provisional ABS-CBN franchise in second reading

MANILA, Philippines – Pressured by public outcry, the House of Representatives passed a bill Wednesday that gives ABS-CBN a temporary license to re-air for five months, while Congress decides whether to grant a new franchise of 25 years to The largest transmission network in the country.

That would give the House and Senate until the end of October to deliberate on the renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise, which was forced to close its radio and television stations on May 5 a day after its license expired. .

House Bill No. 6732, written by President Alan Peter Cayetano and seven other House leaders, will grant a provisional franchise to ABS-CBN that will be valid until October 31, 2020, “unless it is revoked or canceled earlier. “

It was passed on second reading quickly during the plenary session attended by the majority of the 302 chamber members online.

The bill, however, will face two challenges before it becomes law: first, it will need Senate approval, and second, it will require the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte, who has repeatedly threatened to block the network franchise.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon expressed confidence that his colleagues will approve the renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise before they suspend the regular session on June 5.

“It can be done. The key is for the House to act in the franchise. [bill] as soon as possible, ”said Drilon.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said the Senate public services committee will open hearings next week to begin discussion on the camera’s own version of the television network franchise.

Hopefully we can approve the measure the following week. We will work quickly to move the measure to ratification before the break, ”Zubiri said in a message from Viber.

Senator Francis Pangilinan, however, said the House measure was just a “band aid solution” that would put the transmission giant on a “leash.”

He questioned the five-month effectiveness of the bill instead of the usual 25 years.

“Neck Strap” (ABS-CBN) will be like a dog with a neck strap. If they try, the company will not be able to bark, but it will only scream in pain, “said Pangilinan.

“Until the franchise has been granted, it will continue to be an attack on the media and press freedom, and an assault on our democracy,” he added.

But in a statement, the network welcomed the bill and thanked House leaders “for recognizing the role we play in meeting people’s needs in terms of access to news, information, entertainment and public service in this crucial moment. ” “

In search of comment, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said approval of the provisional franchise for ABS-CBN was a prerogative of the House.

The president respects it, he added.

Roque said last week that the President was taking a “neutral” stance on the subject of franchise renewal and that the House, dominated by the administration, could vote on it anyway.

Joint Committee

On Wednesday, the House became a general committee to allow the entire body to debate the bill, rather than limiting discussions to the House’s legislative franchise panel before plenary debates.

The bill will be voted on at third reading in accordance with the chamber’s three-day notice rule.

Cayetano, who previously issued personal objections to the ABS-CBN franchise renewal due to what he perceived to be his unfavorable coverage of him, sponsored the bill.

Taguig’s lawmaker called both ABS-CBN supporters and critics, including the “media establishment,” which he said had been guilty of shutting down the network at his door.

He criticized Attorney General José Cálida, whose last-minute lobby was seen as the trigger for the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to order the closure of the network on May 5.

The NTC, in a March 10 hearing, assured members of the House franchise panel that it would issue a provisional authorization to ABS-CBN to continue operating after its license expired, as it had in the past.

But the agency broke its promise on May 5 when it issued an order directing ABS-CBN to stop its broadcast operations covered by the franchise. The network’s radio and television stations went off the air around 8 p.m. that day.

Doomsday

Last week’s President promised that there would be a “reckoning” with the NTC and Calida for their actions.

In his speech, Cayetano said, “We must not allow the NTC’s betrayal and the Attorney General’s unconstitutional meddling in this exclusive power of Congress to be questioned.”

“Their actions are not only an affront to the institution, but also delay discussion and approval of crucial legislation that our people urgently need,” he said.

Addressing the management and employees of ABS-CBN, the speaker recognized his role in “nation building”.

“I echo the president’s words when he tells you to just do your job. Call injustice and corruption every time you see it … This is your mandate: to speak the truth freely and without fear of power. But be careful not to become the power you hope to control, “he said.

Cayetano also reacted strongly to criticism he received from some ABS-CBN reporters, including those who noted that in February he rhetorically promised to turn on the network transmitter if NTC decided to turn it off.

“Some of your reporters repeatedly say, didn’t you say you would turn on the transmitter if the station were forced to shut down? My answer to that is: Didn’t you voluntarily shut down?”

Media industry

The House leader promised a fair, impartial and exhaustive hearing on matters for or against ABS-CBN.

“There will be no rush to judge. Both praise and charges against the network will be heard and placed on public record, “he said.

“Whatever the outcome of these hearings, there will be reforms. There must be, not only a new one, but a better normality. Not just for ABS-CBN, but for the entire media industry, “said Cayetano.

In its statement, ABS-CBN said it hoped to “participate in the process of renewing our franchise and be prepared to respond to issues that have been raised against the network, its owners, management and employees.”

“We remain open to constructive opinions and suggestions on how to improve the organization and better serve the Filipino people,” he added.

– WITH REPORTS FROM MARLON RAMOS, LEILA B. SALAVERRIA AND MIGUEL R. CAMUS

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