Lawmakers in the lower chamber of Congress denied renewing the franchise of broadcast media giant ABS-CBN on Friday.
The House Committee on Legislative Franchises voted 70 against the renewal, and 11 for the renewal. Two have chosen to inhibit, while one abstained.
Only 44 votes were required to pass the resolution.
“This in effect, kills the franchise,” Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor said.
A Technical Working Group (TWG), headed by Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia of Cebu drafted the recommendations after the summation of arguments presented by lawmakers on Thursday.
“The likely consensus among members of this committee was to disapprove the application of ABS-CBN for another franchise,” Garcia said.
Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, who argued for the renewal, questioned how the consensus was done.
But Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor said both majority and minority members were represented in the TWG, noting that Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo voted against the resolution.
The National Telecommunications Commission ordered the network to stop broadcasting on May 5, after its franchise expired the day before.
Lawmakers spent 12 hearings on various issues such as chairman emeritus’ Gabby Lopez’ citizenship, questions of bias, tax payments, property titles, and blocktime agreements as ABS-CBN petitioned to renew its franchise for 25 more years.
But the 74-year old network may file a motion for reconsideration or refile its franchise application.
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