Despite acting swiftly on three legislative franchise applications, the House Committee on Legislative Franchise has yet to touch the proposed extension of broadcast giant ABS-CBN’s franchise.
The House panel has approved the franchise extension of the First United Broadcasting Corp. and applications of Lanao del Norte Electric Cooperative and the Bicol Light and Power Corp. which have been tainted with controversy.
ABS-CBN’s application for a 25-year franchise extension was not calendared for discussion during last year’s hearing.
Owned by the Lopez family, ABS-CBN’s legislative franchise is due to expire by March 30, 2020. Non-renewal of the license to operate will force the network to close shop.
The network will have to cease operating as a broadcast network if Congress fails to act on a franchise extension before the expiration date set by Republic Act 7966, its current legislative license.
Party-list organizations representing electric cooperatives assailed the approval of the BLPC that has threatened the existence of the Camarines Sur III Electric Cooperative.
Palawan Rep. Francis Alvarez, committee chairman, said the three legislative franchise applications were approved by the House panel on the first day they were included in the agenda, pointing out that swift action was in compliance to House rules.
Alvarez explained that under the rules, bills that have been passed on third and final reading but failed to make it into law may be presented for immediate approval if re-filed during the next Congress.
Four renewal bills for the ABS-CBN franchise were first filed during the 17th Congress but were never taken up for public hearing by the legislative franchise panel.
Six bills are currently pending before the House panel. (Ben Rosario)
http://tempo.com.ph/2019/09/11/house-panel-yet-to-act-on-abs-cbn-franchise-extension/
