(1st UPDATE) - Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said on Wednesday the House of Representatives will start on March 10 its hearings on bills seeking a new franchise for ABS-CBN Corp.
"I'd just like to announce that chairman Chicoy as chairman of the Committee on Legislative Franchises released a notice today that on March 10, 2020 in the Belmonte Hall, South Wing annex, we will be taking up the 11 bills concerning the ABS-CBN Corp. renewal of franchise," he said in a press briefing.
The Lopez-owned network's current license to operate will expire on May 4, 2020. Congress has sessions until March 11 before lawmakers go on a session break until May.
On the first hearing, the House panel will ask parties to submit position papers on ABS-CBN's franchise bid and urge the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to grant the network a provisional permit to operate, Cayetano said.
The meeting will also establish ground rules to avoid it from becoming a "circus" or "bull session."
"Ibig sabihin, lahat ng may sama ng loob sa ABS, 'yon ang gagawin. Ayaw din naman natin maging sipsipan forum na lahat ng magsasalita ay isa-isa lang sasabihin kung gaano kagaling, gaano kabango, gaano karami ang nagawa ng ABS. We want to define the issues," he said.
Cayetano reiterated his view that the ABS-CBN franchise renewal bills are not urgent.
"Let me assure ABS-CBN, we know our priorities, you're part of our priorities. Pero 'yong priority na important at urgent ay kailangan unahin," he said, adding the House panel will give the network a "fair and objective" hearing.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/04/20/house-hearings-on-abs-cbn-franchise-to-start-on-march-10-cayetano
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