ABS-CBN franchise renewal up to Congress

The renewal of local broadcast network ABS-CBN Corporation’s 25-year congressional franchise would still be up to Congress, Malacañang said on Sunday.

While President Rodrigo Duterte opposed the idea of renewing the franchise of ABS-CBN, he would let the lawmakers exercise their independence, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in an interview with dzIQ.

“Unang-una, ang magde-decide diyan initially eh ang Kongreso. Hindi pa natin alam kung makakapasa sa Kongreso ‘yun (First and foremost, Congress will initially decide on it. We don’t know yet if Congress will approve it),” Panelo said.

On Tuesday, Duterte said he would make sure that ABS-CBN would be “out” of business, when its license to operate expires because of its alleged unfair reporting and failure to run his political advertisements during the 2016 presidential race.

ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise will expire on March 30, 2020, unless Congress and the President grant its renewal.

A congressional franchise bill needs to be first approved by the House of Representatives before it can be transmitted to the Senate.

Once approved by both chambers, it will be submitted to the President to sign the measure into law. Duterte, however, has the power to approve into law or veto bills that Congress approves.

ABS-CBN would be compelled to cease its broadcast operations, if it fails to secure a new 25-year franchise from Congress.

In an interview with CNN Philippines, House legislative franchises panel chair Franz Alvarez said his committee has no scheduled hearings on the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise until Congress adjourns for the Christmas break on December 20.

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, who earlier admitted he has “personal” objections to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise, said congressmen have “more than enough time” to tackle the proposed granting of franchise renewal to the local media giant.

Asked if the President’s pronouncement can affect Congress’ decision, Panelo said, “Hindi (No).”

“Ang Kongreso naman hindi naman naaapektuhan sa sinasabi ng Presidente. Hindi mo ba napapansin, may sariling isip ang Kongreso (Congress is not affected by the President’s statements. Congress has its own mind),” the Palace official added.

Not a ‘political vendetta’

Panelo also vehemently denied that Duterte’s pronouncement against ABS-CBN was part of the President’s “political vendetta,” as claimed by detained Senator Leila de Lima.

In a statement released on Saturday, de Lima said Duterte’s renewed threat against the media firm merely proved his “regime’s blatant crackdown, broader propaganda, misinformation against media, opposition leaders and organizations who criticize and challenge his crooked and brutal policies.”

Panelo, however, said public should not listen to de Lima.

“Hindi na pinapansin ‘yun (She should not be given attention),” he said.

“Kung political vendetta iyan, eh di sana namatay na ‘yung mga kalaban niya, mga naninira sa kanya. Ni isa wala nga siyang dine-demanda (If it’s a political vendetta, the President’s enemies and critics would have been dead by now. But no one is even facing cases),” Panelo added.

Quizzed if there is a possibility that the President might change his mind with regard to ABS-CBN’s fate, Panelo said: “Depende ‘yun. Depende lahat ‘yun kay President. Mahirap i-preempt natin (It depends. It depends on the President. We cannot preempt his decision).”

“Ang mga kalakaran ang magtutulak sa Presidente kung aaprubahan niya o hindi. Maaaring ang kalakaran ngayon ay mababago sa kalakaran pagdating ng panahon (The negotiations will let the President decide whether he will approve it or not. The negotiations today may change in the future),” Panelo added.

http://northboundasia.com/42323/abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-up-to-congress/news/national-news/

Banta ni Duterte na pagharang sa ABS-CBN franchise renewal, hindi political vendetta

Hindi political vendetta ang ginagawa ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte nang pagbantaan nitong haharangin niya na ma-renew ang prangkisa ng ABS-CBN na nakatakdang matapos sa March 2020.

Tugon ito ng Palasyo sa pahayag ni Senadora Leila de Lima na “bullying” at “political vendetta” ang ginagawa ng pangulo sa ABS-CBN.

Sa panayam ng Radyo Inquirer, sinabi ni Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo na kailanman ay hindi tinakot at hindi binully ng pangulo ang ABS-CBN.

Sinabi pa nito na kung political vendetta ang ginawa ng pangulo, napatay na sana ang lahat ng mga kalaban at naninira sa kanya.

Katunayan, wala rin aniyang idinidemanda ang pangulo dahil lamang sa mga paninira.

“Si President, kung political vendetta ‘yan eh ‘di sana napatay niya ‘yung mga kalaban niya, ‘yung naninira sa kanya. Ni isa wala nga siyang nademanda,” pahayag ni Panelo.

Sinabi pa ni Panelo na ang mga kalaban pa nga ang naninira kay Pangulong Duterte.

Dagdag ni Panelo, ang problema sa mga kalaban ay gumagawa ng kalokohan at kapag nadedemanda ay panay naman ang reklamo.

“Ang problema sa kanila, gagawa sila ng kalokohan, pag nademanda sila, meron namang probable cause as determined by the prosecutor na nag-imbestiga, as determine by the court, wala. Reklamo sila nang reklamo. Kung gusto nilang walang gulo sa kanilang buhay, ayusin na lang nila ang buhay nila. Maging matapat sila bilang mga public servants,” ani Panelo.

Sa ngayon, nasa kamay aniya ng Kongreso ang pagpapasya kung ire-renew o hindi ang prangkisa ng ABS-CBN.

https://radyo.inquirer.net/220482/banta-ni-duterte-na-pagharang-sa-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-hindi-political-vendetta

18 Stores To Open At The Lower Ground Floor Expansion Of SM City Baguio

SM City Baguio will open their lower ground floor expansion and welcome 18 out of 33 stores on December 14. The remaining 15 shops will open on the first quarter of 2020.

The newly opened expansion will have Kenny Rogers, Zark’s Burgers, Buffalo Wings N’ Things, Macao Imperial Tea, Burger King, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Classic Savory, Sizzling Plate, Army Navy, Shakey’s, Mcdonald’s, Timberland, Hush Puppies, Traffic Footwear, Mined and Polished, Dr. Kong, New Era, and Time Depot.

Kenny Roger’s will finally be making a comeback here in Baguio City, with its delicious choices of meals such as their well-known roasted chicken and special home-made muffins.

Visitors can also enjoy Zark’s Burgers restaurant. This restaurant offers a wide range of burgers, a definite new take on the American signature dish. And mall goers can also check out the well-known fast food chain Burger King, the restaurant is known for their famous Whooper, 4-cheese Whooper, and many more selections.

In Buffalo Wings N’ Things, customers can try different flavors and levels of spicy chicken wings. These include: ultimate wingsanity, kbomb, sriracha garlic, chipotle lime, and other great picks. For delicious drinks, the Macao Imperial Tea is ready to open their doors here in Baguio City. Their delightful variety of beverages consists of milkteas, coffee, creamcheese drinks, and other delicious selections.

While in Seattle’s Best Coffee offer artisanal, perfectly blended, fresh coffee with several choices of frappes, javakulas, and others. The famous coffee shop also offers enjoyable meals such fresh salads, pasta, paninis, and many more.

Mall goers can also anticipate the opening of these shops: Timberland, Hush Puppies, Traffic Footwear, Mined and Polished, Dr. Kong, New Era, and Time Depot. Shoe enthusiasts will no doubt enjoy these stores that are perfect to shop in.

Timberland is an established retailer of outdoors wear that mainly focuses on footwear. The company gets their unique culture and product designs from their rich New England heritage, aside from footwear they also sell apparels, watches, sunglasses, and others.

For Hush Puppies, they offer contemporary, casual footwear for men, women, and children. Many will enjoy their soft, breathable, and comfortable footwear that is perfect for young families to kick back and enjoy a casual way of living.

While in Traffic Footwear, the company transformed men’s footwear by offering cool and stylish yet affordable merchandise to purchase. Visitors can see brands such as Dr. Martens, Vans, Kartel, and several other choices.

For jewelry and watches, everyone can start anticipating the opening of Time Depot, and Mined and Polished. Time Depot is headlined by Casio, Suunto, Nautica, Festina, Reebok among others. While Mined and Polished is a pioneering jewelry depot that offers a wide range of unique and stunning designs of rings, necklaces, and earrings.

During the opening there will also be musicians busking within the new lower ground expansion area. Busking is an activity of playing music in public places, a treat mall goers will surely enjoy.

And at 6:00 p.m. in the mall atrium, visitors can look forward to the wonderful Blossom of Lights show. The event involves a light switch which will activate a special spectacle to continue the spirit of the Yuletide season. The show will feature performances done by LED dancers and ballerinas with the LED floor display.

Be sure to catch this spectacular light show with your family and friends to enjoy together!

https://www.amiananbalitangayon.com/18-stores-to-open-at-the-lower-ground-floor-expansion-of-sm-city-baguio/