Cayetano: House to tackle ABS-CBN franchise before end-2019

At least 5 bills in the House of Representatives seek to renew ABS-CBN's franchise for another 25 years

After sitting on the bill for months, the House of Representatives is set to deliberate on the renewal of the franchise given to ABS-CBN Corporation.

"Siguro before the end of the year probably the hearings will start. But we have a little bit of time naman," Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano told reporters in Taguig City on Tuesday, October 29.

Short of saying the bill would be a priority, Cayetano said the House committee on legislative franchises will hold hearings to thresh out issues surrounding the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.

"Kung 'yong budget one month naipasa, definitely we [can] have hearings kasi may mga issues na kailangang i-resolve (If we were able to pass the budget in one month, then definitely we can have hearings because there are issues that need to be resolved)," the Taguig City-Pateros congressman said.

At least 5 bills in the House seek to renew ABS-CBN's legislative franchise for another 25 years. The measures were filed by the following:

• Sol Aragones, Laguna 3rd District
• Rose Marie Arenas, Pangasinan 3rd District
• Joy Myra Tambunting, Parañaque City 2nd District
• Michaela Violago, Nueva Ecija 2nd District
• Vilma Santos Recto, Batangas 6th District

ABS-CBN's current franchise, which was approved through Republic Act No. 7966 on March 30, 1995, is set to expire on March 30, 2020. If the bill does not become a law, ABS-CBN will have to close down its radio and television operations.

No less than President Rodrigo Duterte himself has repeatedly opposed the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise.

In April 2017, Duterte accused the network of "swindling" him for not airing his paid political advertisements during the 2016 presidential campaign. Duterte first publicly threatened ABS-CBN days after he signed into law the franchise renewal of the network's rival, GMA Network.

Duterte then repeated his threat to block the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise in August 2018.

Cayetano was the running mate of Duterte in the 2016 elections, and the latter even endorsed the term-sharing deal for the speakership between Cayetano and Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco.

A bill seeking to renew the franchise was filed in the previous 17th Congress, but it remained pending with the committee on legislative franchises and was not passed when the 17th Congress closed session in June.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/243689-cayetano-house-tackle-abs-cbn-franchise-before-end-2019

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano vows impartial hearings on ABS-CBN franchise renewal

“Ina-assure ko ang lahat ng ating kababayan, ang mga kapamilya, mga news anchors, artista and all concerned na magiging fair ang hearing sa Kongreso.”

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has assured the public that Congress’ debates on the franchise renewal of television giant ABS-CBN Corp. will be “fair.”

“Ina-assure ko ang lahat ng ating kababayan, ang mga kapamilya, mga newscaster, artista and all concerned na magiging fair ang hearing sa Kongreso,” the Taguig-Pateros first district congressman said in an interview with ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda on Monday, October 28.

However, Cayetano did not provide details on when they would finally begin discussions on the measure renewing ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise.

He also did not divulged if the franchise, which expires on March 30, 2020, would be approved or not.

The former senator only said they need to ratify first the proposed P4.1 trillion national budget for 2020 before focusing on other measures.

“Hindi ako makasagot sa inyo ng definite ngayon na definitely hindi o definitely maibibigay,” Cayetano noted.

“Pero naniniwala ako na ‘yung management n’yo ay determinado na harapin ‘tong mga issues na ito at makahanap ng resolution,” he added.

The former Foreign Affairs head also stressed that members of Congress value free press and fair media across the country.

The House legislative franchise panel took no action on any of the six bills that may save the TV giant from closing shop next year since November 2016.

In the previous 17th Congress, no ABS-CBN franchise bill was sidelined in Congress as President Duterte launched repeated verbal attacks against the media network due to perceived slights and its allegedly slanted reporting.

Aside from deputy speaker Vilma Santos-Recto, a movie actress known as “Ate Vi,” who has worked with the network, five other lawmakers also filed their version of the bill.

They were lawmakers, Pangasinan Rep. Rose Marie Arenas, Laguna Rep. Sol Aragones, Nueva Ecija Rep. Micaela Violago, Parañaque Rep. Joy Myra Tambunting, and PBA Rep. Jericho Nograles.

In the Senate, it was Senator Ralph Recto, who filed a bill renewing the franchise granted to ABS-CBN.

Congress would resume sessions on November 4. Lawmakers went on a break last October 3.

https://www.dailypedia.net/2019/10/speaker-alan-peter-cayetano-vows-impartial-hearings-on-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal/

Indonesia ready to form new 'South Papua' province: Home Minister

Indonesia is ready to establish a new province called South Papua in the country’s easternmost territory, which is currently divided into the two provincial administrations of Papua and West Papua, a minister has said.

Following his visit to the region with President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo over the weekend, Home Minister Tito Karnavian said he had received proposals from local figures about the establishment of two new provinces, namely South Papua and Pegunungan Tengah Papua.

“The central government might only accommodate the establishment of two provinces. We are currently mulling over this matter,” Tito said as quoted by kompas.com. “However, it’s already OK for South Papua [to become a new province].”

Although the government is still imposing a moratorium on the establishment of new provinces and districts, Tito said the government would thoroughly consider the proposals of the Papuans.

Tito also admitted that he had already met with Merauke Regent Frederikus Gebze to discuss matters related to the establishment of a new province.

If the plan is to be realized, Merauke was among the regencies in the southern part of Papua that would be designated as part of a new South Papua province. The remaining were Mappi, Boven Digoel and Asmat regencies.

“[Papua] Governor Lukas Enembe said he has no problem with [the establishment] of a South Papua province,” Tito said.

As for Merauke itself, Tito said the regency would be divided into two areas, such as Merauke city and Merauke regency.

Meanwhile, areas in Papua’s highlands to be designated under the proposed Pegunungan Tengah Papua Province were Mepago in Paniai and Lapago in Wamena, Jayawijaya regency, he said.

However, so far there was no certainty about the matter as local administration leaders in the highlands had yet to reach a conclusion about the plan. (dpk)

https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/10/30/indonesia-ready-to-form-new-south-papua-province-home-minister.html

House debates on ABS-CBN franchise will be ‘fair,’ Cayetano assures

The House of Representatives will observe “fairness” in deliberating the franchise renewal of television giant ABS-CBN Corp., Speaker Alan Cayetano assured Monday.

“Ia-assure ko ang lahat ng ating kababayan ang mga kapamilya, ang mga newscaster, artista and all concern na magiging fair ang hearing sa Kongreso (I assure the public, your newscasters, artists and all concerned that our hearings will be fair),” the Taguig-Pateros 1st District congressman said in an interview with ABS-CBN’s “Umagang Kay Ganda.”

Cayetano explained that they would finish the ratification of the proposed P4.1 trillion national budget for 2020 before focusing on other measures like ABS-CBN’s franchise, which would expire on March 30, 2020.

“Pero ako naniniwala na ‘yung management n’yo ay determinado na harapin ‘tong mga issues na ito at makahanap ng resolution. So, hindi naman ako makasagot sa inyo ng definite ngayon na definitely hindi, o definitely maibibigay,” the former senator said.

(But I believe that your management is determined to face these issues and find a resolution. So, I can’t give a definite answer now that definitely no or definitely the franchise will be approved.)

The former Foreign Affairs chief also stressed that they value the preservation of a free press in the Philippines.

“But I can assure you na ang Kongreso magiging (that Congress will be) very fair, and I can assure you na importante sa atin ang (that we value) free press, atsaka ang balansyadong media sa buong bansa (and a fair media across the country),” Cayetano said.

Bills renewing ABS-CBN’s franchise for another 25 years remained pending at the committee on legislative franchises since November 16, 2016. The panel did not act on the bill until the 17th Congress ended.

The franchise also remained unacted upon under Cayetano’s leadership. Congress went on a break last October 3 and would resume sessions on November 4.

President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly launched threats against media outfits critical of his administration like the Lopez-owned ABS-CBN, the broadsheet Philippine Daily Inquirer, and the online news site Rappler. He even threatened to block the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, accusing the network of allegedly not providing him the airtime he had paid for.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo had clarified that Duterte’s threats to block the franchise renewal of the radio-television giant were mere expressions of displeasure. The Palace mouthpiece claimed the Chief Executive – known for brandishing tirades against critics – was not a vengeful person.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1182615/house-debates-on-abs-cbn-franchise-will-be-fair-cayetano-assures

Pagdinig sa panukalang franchise renewal ng ABS-CBN, magiging patas

Tiniyak ni House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano na magkakaroon ng patas na pagdinig ang panukalang i-renew ang franchise ng ABS-CBN.

Aabot sa anim na panukala ang inihain sa Kamara para bigyan ang ABS-CBN Corporation ng prangkisa na mag-construct, install, establish, operate at mag-maintain ng broadcasting station sa bansa sa susunod na 25 taon.

Ayon kay Cayetano – sisimulan na nilang dinggin ang mga panukala bago matapos ang taon.

Kinikilala ni Cayetano ang papel ng media sa lipunan, lalo na sa pagsiwalat ng korapsyon at anomalyang ginawa ng mga opisyal ng gobyerno.

Ang kasalukuyang franchise ng ABS-CBN Corporation ay nakatakdang mag-expire sa March 30, 2020.

Una nang nagbanta si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na haharangin niya ang franchise renewal ng broadcast network.

https://rmn.ph/pagdinig-sa-panukalang-franchise-renewal-ng-abs-cbn-magiging-patas/

LOOK: SM City Grand Central render

This five-level shopping mall combined with a 60-storey hotel and office tower, similar to sister malls SM Megamall, The Podium, SM Aura Premier, SM CDO Downtown Premier and SMDC Light Mall.

Phase 1: 5 + basement
Phase 2: 6 + basement
Carpark: 6 basement levels (from LG/B1 to B6)

It is located at Rizal Avenue Extension corner Bustamante Street, Caloocan City.

Look: Bacoor City administrative and population maps

Cavite Rep. Strike B. Revilla introduced House Bill No. 0___ or An Act Creating A New Legislative District in the City of Bacoor Amending Republic Act No. 10160, Entitled ‘An Act Converting the Municipality of Bacoor in the Province of Cavite into a Component City to Be Known as the City of Bacoor’ And Providing Funds Therefor,’ that that amends the law covering the conversion of Bacoor from a municipality to a city.

Under the amended law, the 73 barangays have been divided into two legislative districts.

Barangays of Alima, Aniban I, Aniban II, Aniban III, Aniban IV, Aniban V, Banalo, Camposanto, Daang-Bukid, Digman, Dulong-Bayan, Kaingin, Habay I, Habay II, Ligas I, Ligas II, Ligas III, Mabolo I, Mabolo II, Mabolo III, Maliksi I, Maliksi II, Maliksi III, Niog I, Niog II, Niog III, Panapaan I, Panapaan II, Panapaan III, Panapaan IV, Panapaan V, Panapaan VI, Panapaan VII, Panapaan VIII, Real I, Real II, Salinas I, Salinas II, Salinas III, Salinas IV, San Nicolas I, San Nicolas II, San Nicolas III, Sineguelasan, Tabing-Dagat, Talaba I, Talaba II, Talaba III, Talaba IV, Talaba V, Talaba VI, Talaba VII, Zapote I, Zapote II, Zapote III, Zapote IV and Zapote V fall under District 1 while Bayanan, Mambog I, Mambog II, Mambog III, Mambog IV, Mambog V, Molino I, Molino II, Molino III, Molino IV, Molino V, Molino VI, Molino VII, Queens Row Central, Queens Row East and Queens Row West form part of the second legislative district.

ABS-CBN franchise renewal remains uncertain, says Cayetano

By JOHN CARLO M. CAHINHINAN

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has admitted that the congressional franchise renewal of network giant ABS-CBN remains uncertain.

Cayetano made the remarks as Kapamilya network employees and artists took to social media to express concern over the impending closure of the network giant if Congress fails to approve its franchise renewal application, with only five months remaining before its current franchise under Republic Act No. 7966 finally lapses.

“So hindi naman ako makasagot sa inyo ng definite ngayon na definitely hindi, o definitely maibibigay,” said Cayetano in an interview with ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda.

Around five measures were recently filed under the 18th Congress which seek to grant ABS-CBN a fresh 25-year franchise.

Similar proposed legislations under the previous 17th Congress didn’t proposer since it was failed to tackle by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises under the Palawan Rep. Franz “Chicoy” Alvarez.

But Cayetano gave an assurance that the House of Representatives under his helm that they will exercise fairness in tackling their congressional franchise renewal even as President Duterte has opposed it.

Duterte has previously threatened to veto the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN. He complained that the TV network did not air his campaign advertisement he paid for during the presidential campaign.

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 RA 7966 by March 2020.

Under the 1987 Constitution, the application for franchise is done through a normal legislative process in both the Lower House and Senate and is still need to be signed by the President after its congressional approval.

Article 12 Section 11 of the present charter states that “Neither shall any such franchise or right be granted except under the condition that it shall be subject to amendment, alteration, or repeal by the Congress when the common good so requires.”

https://politics.com.ph/abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-remains-uncertain-says-cayetano/

House to tackle ABS-CBN franchise within 2019 – Cayetano

By Charissa Luci-Atienza

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday assured that the House of Representatives would give due attention to the measures concerning freedom of the press, including the proposed renewal of the legislative franchise of broadcasting giant ABS-CBN Corp.

He said the measures seeking to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise for another 25 years will be tackled within the year.

“Maybe before the end of the year, probably the hearings will start,” Cayetano told reporters.

“Definitely, we’ll have hearings because there are issues that have to be resolved,” he said.

Like any other hearings, he said, it is the obligation of Congress to be “fair” and “to bring out those real issues and to give the other side the opportunity to respond and determine who is right.”

“Kung mali yung naga-accuse sa issue then no problem, kung tama then ano resolution nun (If the accuser is wrong on the issue, then no problem. But if right, then what will be the resolution)?” he asked.

The franchise of the Lopez-owned broadcasting firm is set to expire on March 30, 2020.

Last year, President Duterte publicly declared that he would oppose the renewal of ABS-CBN’s legislative franchise.

The President repeatedly launched tirades against the ABS-CBN, alleging that it refused to run his advertisement during the 2016 election campaign and for showing an ad critical of him.

Among the authors of the franchise bill are Deputy Speakers Vilma Santos and Baby Arenas, and Laguna Rep. Sol Aragones.

“There are issues with the media, but there are also challenges with social media… There are issues that we have to tackle first and foremost is the freedom of the press,” Cayetano said.

The House during the previous 17th Congress failed to act on the bill.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/10/29/house-to-tackle-abs-cbn-franchise-within-2019-cayetano/