AMID issues between the Duterte administration and ABS-CBN Corp., the leadership of the House of Representatives has vowed to hear the legislative franchise of the TV station before the year ends.
In an interview, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said the lawmakers will exercise fairness on the proposals extending for 25 years the franchise of ABS-CBN, which is set to expire on March 30, 2020.
“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.
“Maybe before the end of the year, probably the hearings will start,” he added.
Currently, there are six bills filed to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN.
Without giving further details, Cayetano said the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez “needs to discuss some issues on franchise renewal” of the TV station.
“Definitely, we’ll have hearings because there are issues that have to be resolved,” said Cayetano. During the 17th Congress, Alvarez’s panel failed to approve the franchise renewal.
According to Cayetano, it is Congress’s obligation to exercise fairness and “to bring out those real issues and to give the other side the opportunity to respond and determine who is right.”
For her part, Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos, one of the authors of the bill renewing the franchise of ABS-CBN, said despite the growing popularity of social media, television still remains a preferred mass medium in provinces and other far-flung areas. “ABS-CBN has remained steadfast in its commitment to reach out to as many Filipinos as possible by delivering their quality core programs closer to our countrymen by taking advantage of emerging broadcast technologies,” Santos said.
Another author of the measure, Laguna Rep. Sol Aragones said while information may be taken or received from various sources, broadcasting is still the highest, widest and fastest medium from which Filipinos at home or overseas get their information.
“In acknowledgement of the former and present contributions of ABS-CBN and its thousands of personnel in nation-building, the immediate renewal of its original franchise, which expires on March 30, 2020, is seriously and sincerely recommended, to ensure the continues and uninterrupted and improved and expanded, delivery of services to the Filipino people,” Aragones said.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/10/31/house-to-tackle-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-before-year-end-cayetano/
