President Rodrigo Duterte’s attacks against media conglomerate ABS-CBN Corp. could spook investors at a time more infrastructure projects heavily depend on private funding and as job-generating foreign investments continue to drop.
Duterte has repeatedly threatened to block the franchise extension of ABS-CBN, which he accused of bias and of not airing his paid political advertisement during the 2016 election campaign.
The media company is racing against time as its franchise will expire in March this year. A bill to extend its license for another 25 years is pending in Congress.
“Yes, I believe it (non-renewal of ABS-CBN franchise) can affect investor confidence in the country,” Cid Terosa, economist at the University of Asia and the Pacific, said in an interview.
“Any form of active meddling by government on business affairs is always viewed skeptically by businessmen and investors,” Terosa added.
Shares in ABS-CBN shed 21% at the end of 2019. Meanwhile, the Philippine Stock Exchange index, a barometer of investor confidence, rose 4.7% last year.
In a speech last December 30, Duterte told the owners of ABS-CBN to just sell the company, sending its shares tumbling by as much as 6.3% on the first trading day of 2020.
Bloomberg expects ABS-CBN to fall to its lowest close since March 2009 as it struggles to recover amid Duterte’s verbal assaults.
“The franchise is crucial to their broadcasting operations so its non-renewal would have a negative impact on their business,” said Japhet Louis Tantiangco, researcher at Philstocks Financial Inc.
“The company could still survive given that it still has other business segments such as film and music production,” Tantiangco added.
Silver lining?
Aside from the troubled media company, Duterte also berated utility firms Manila Water Company Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. and threatened to jail their owners for supposedly forging water contracts with “onerous” provisions.
Analysts and business leaders have warned that the presidential tongue-lashing against some of the country’s biggest companies could turn off foreign investors and would not bode well with the Duterte administration’s eagerness to tap private capital to fund its big-ticket infrastructure projects.
Duterte’s rants could also worsen falling foreign direct investments in the country. Latest data from the central bank shows net FDI inflows from January to September last year stood at $5.12 billion, down by nearly 37% compared to the $8.11 billion recorded in the same period in 2018.
Meanwhile, press freedom advocates fear that 10,000 to 11,000 people are at risk of losing their jobs if ABS-CBN’s broadcast services cease operation.
"For them (investors), it is an indication of the power and influence that government can wield on their activities," UA&P’s Terosa said.
"It raises apprehension and stimulates cautionary behavior that impedes or slows down progressive business and investment decision-making," he added.
In an unprecedented move, at least 12 lawmakers at the House of Representatives – mostly administration allies, including four deputy speakers – have reportedly filed bills seeking the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, running counter to Duterte’s animosity towards the media giant.
Citing an “insider,” The STAR reported last week that heated debates are expected when the committee on legislative franchises starts hearing the bills.
PLDT chairman and CEO Manuel Pangilinan said his TV5 Network Inc. is open, but cautious at the same time, to a blocktime deal with ABS-CBN.
"The president might say something so we are also reluctant," said Pangilinan, who is also the chairman of Maynilad.
For Philstocks’ Tantiangco, there are still some “opportunities” for ABS-CBN in the event that its legislative franchise is not renewed, although tough times could be ahead for the company.
"It (ABS-CBN) could harness further the growing opportunities in the digital space. Finally, it could also engage in other industries such as cosmetics, food and financial technology," he said.
"Nonetheless, without the franchise, the company will most likely go through challenging times as they adjust to the new circumstances while implementing new business strategies," he added.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2020/01/06/1982584/abs-cbns-franchise-problems-seen-threatening-investor-confidence
Monday, January 6, 2020
House Secretariat heralds 2020 with Rep. Defensor in first flagraising ceremony of 2020
The House of Representatives heralded the new year with a renewed commitment to serving the public as its Secretariat held on Monday its first flagraising ceremony for 2020.
Rep. Lorenz Defensor (3rd District, Iloilo), the guest of honor, emphasized that the responsibility of Representatives is to work towards the benefit of their constituents. "We are called Congressmen not because we have been elected, but because of everyone—kada babae, lalaki, bata man o matanda, mayaman o mahirap—utang na loob namin sa inyo ang aming puwesto sa gobyerno. At dapat ang aming trabaho ay hindi lamang para sa aming sarili kung hindi para sa mga pamilya ninyo," he said.
In effect, the role of the Secretariat is not to "serve" the Representatives but to help them fulfill their mandate as elected officials, Defensor said. "I am humbled that we have been elected as Congressmen. But I would like to remind the Secretariat today na wala po kami sa pwesto para paglingkuran ninyo. Nandito kami sa Kongreso para tulungan ninyo lang na gawin namin nang mabuti ang aming trabaho para sa ating bayan," Defensor said.
A neophyte lawmaker who is serving his first term in the House, Defensor shared that he hopes to follow in the footsteps of his father Arthur Defensor Sr., the incumbent Governor of Iloilo and former Member of the House.
"Ayaw kong maging popular na congressman ng 18th Congress. But I would rather be called a statesman by the keepers of the institution," he said.
Defensor also noted that he counts on the House Secretariat to guide his and his fellow Representatives' growth into full fledged statesmen.
"Now more than ever, the 18th Congress has a chance to produce among its ranks the new statesmen of the country and I look up to the Secretariat to be the guiding force in turning congressmen into statesmen… As keepers of the institution, I hope the Secretariat of the House of Representatives will maintain and protect the traditions of this institution because you are the institution of Congress," he added.
Rep. Lorenz Defensor (3rd District, Iloilo), the guest of honor, emphasized that the responsibility of Representatives is to work towards the benefit of their constituents. "We are called Congressmen not because we have been elected, but because of everyone—kada babae, lalaki, bata man o matanda, mayaman o mahirap—utang na loob namin sa inyo ang aming puwesto sa gobyerno. At dapat ang aming trabaho ay hindi lamang para sa aming sarili kung hindi para sa mga pamilya ninyo," he said.
In effect, the role of the Secretariat is not to "serve" the Representatives but to help them fulfill their mandate as elected officials, Defensor said. "I am humbled that we have been elected as Congressmen. But I would like to remind the Secretariat today na wala po kami sa pwesto para paglingkuran ninyo. Nandito kami sa Kongreso para tulungan ninyo lang na gawin namin nang mabuti ang aming trabaho para sa ating bayan," Defensor said.
A neophyte lawmaker who is serving his first term in the House, Defensor shared that he hopes to follow in the footsteps of his father Arthur Defensor Sr., the incumbent Governor of Iloilo and former Member of the House.
"Ayaw kong maging popular na congressman ng 18th Congress. But I would rather be called a statesman by the keepers of the institution," he said.
Defensor also noted that he counts on the House Secretariat to guide his and his fellow Representatives' growth into full fledged statesmen.
"Now more than ever, the 18th Congress has a chance to produce among its ranks the new statesmen of the country and I look up to the Secretariat to be the guiding force in turning congressmen into statesmen… As keepers of the institution, I hope the Secretariat of the House of Representatives will maintain and protect the traditions of this institution because you are the institution of Congress," he added.
Lagman asks House colleagues to act swiftly on approving extension of ABS-CBN franchise
By Ben Rosario
Veteran opposition Rep. Edcel Lagman Monday urged the leadership and membership of the House of Representatives to act swiftly and positively in considering the proposed 25-year extension of the legislative franchise of the network giant, ABS-CBN Corporation.
The Liberal Party stalwart filed House Resolution No. 639 urging the House Committee on Legislative Franchises to “report out without further delay for plenary action” a consolidated version of all pending bills proposing the 25-year renewal of the network’s franchise.
“Any inordinate delay or arbitrary denial of a franchise renewal emasculates freedom of the press,” Lagman added.
Lagman wants the proposed franchise extension be granted by Congress as he pointed out that President Rodrigo Duterte’s “repeated threats” to approve or reject it “constitute prior restraint on press freedom”.
He cited the Supreme Court Ruling in Chavez vs. Gonzales and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) that upheld the position of the late Francisco Chavez that assailed warnings by then-Secretary of Justice Raul Gonzales and NTC against the broadcast of the wiretapped “Garci tapes” will subject a broadcast station to closure.
While over 90 percent of the Lower House membership belong to the pro-Duterte majority, Lagman was banking on bipartisan support for ABS-CBN’s cause.
Among the authors of the bill are Deputy Speakers Johnny Pimentel and Doy Leacho, both PDP-Laban partymates of Duterte; Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales of Pampanga and Vilma Santos, a former ABS-CBN contract star.
Also backing the bill are the opposition Makabayan bloc and Liberal Party, congressmen.
Duterte had accused the network of failing to stick to the tenets of objectivity in journalism for its alleged unfair news articles against his administration and his 2016 presidential campaign.
He also chided the Lopez-owned network for allegedly not airing his political advertisements notwithstanding the receipt of payment from his campaign headquarters.
Lagman said Duterte’s tirades against ABS-CBN were the apparent reasons for the failure of the legislative franchise committee to act on the pending bills uniformly proposing a 25-year extension for the ABS-CBN franchise which is due to expire on March 20.
The House panel chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez has yet to conduct a single hearing on the legislative proposals.
It will be recalled that, in the 17th Congress, the House panel, chaired by then Paranaque Rep. Gus Tambunting, also failed to take action on the ABS-CBN legislative franchise bills filed then.
Tambunting’s wife, Myra, has since replaced him as Paranaque City congressman. She was among the administration lawmakers who filed for the extension of the ABS-CBN franchise.
In HR 639, Lagman stressed that “time is of the essence” considering that Congress only has 24 regular sessions before it adjourns for the Holy Week break starting March 14.
He pointed out that the franchise issue “is inextricably linked to the exercise of press freedom>”
Lagman also pointed out that a franchise was required “for reasonable regulation of the operation of radio and television networks, and is never intended to curtail the freedom of the press.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/01/06/lagman-asks-house-colleagues-to-act-swiftly-on-approving-extension-of-abs-cbn-franchise/
Veteran opposition Rep. Edcel Lagman Monday urged the leadership and membership of the House of Representatives to act swiftly and positively in considering the proposed 25-year extension of the legislative franchise of the network giant, ABS-CBN Corporation.
The Liberal Party stalwart filed House Resolution No. 639 urging the House Committee on Legislative Franchises to “report out without further delay for plenary action” a consolidated version of all pending bills proposing the 25-year renewal of the network’s franchise.
“Any inordinate delay or arbitrary denial of a franchise renewal emasculates freedom of the press,” Lagman added.
Lagman wants the proposed franchise extension be granted by Congress as he pointed out that President Rodrigo Duterte’s “repeated threats” to approve or reject it “constitute prior restraint on press freedom”.
He cited the Supreme Court Ruling in Chavez vs. Gonzales and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) that upheld the position of the late Francisco Chavez that assailed warnings by then-Secretary of Justice Raul Gonzales and NTC against the broadcast of the wiretapped “Garci tapes” will subject a broadcast station to closure.
While over 90 percent of the Lower House membership belong to the pro-Duterte majority, Lagman was banking on bipartisan support for ABS-CBN’s cause.
Among the authors of the bill are Deputy Speakers Johnny Pimentel and Doy Leacho, both PDP-Laban partymates of Duterte; Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales of Pampanga and Vilma Santos, a former ABS-CBN contract star.
Also backing the bill are the opposition Makabayan bloc and Liberal Party, congressmen.
Duterte had accused the network of failing to stick to the tenets of objectivity in journalism for its alleged unfair news articles against his administration and his 2016 presidential campaign.
He also chided the Lopez-owned network for allegedly not airing his political advertisements notwithstanding the receipt of payment from his campaign headquarters.
Lagman said Duterte’s tirades against ABS-CBN were the apparent reasons for the failure of the legislative franchise committee to act on the pending bills uniformly proposing a 25-year extension for the ABS-CBN franchise which is due to expire on March 20.
The House panel chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez has yet to conduct a single hearing on the legislative proposals.
It will be recalled that, in the 17th Congress, the House panel, chaired by then Paranaque Rep. Gus Tambunting, also failed to take action on the ABS-CBN legislative franchise bills filed then.
Tambunting’s wife, Myra, has since replaced him as Paranaque City congressman. She was among the administration lawmakers who filed for the extension of the ABS-CBN franchise.
In HR 639, Lagman stressed that “time is of the essence” considering that Congress only has 24 regular sessions before it adjourns for the Holy Week break starting March 14.
He pointed out that the franchise issue “is inextricably linked to the exercise of press freedom>”
Lagman also pointed out that a franchise was required “for reasonable regulation of the operation of radio and television networks, and is never intended to curtail the freedom of the press.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/01/06/lagman-asks-house-colleagues-to-act-swiftly-on-approving-extension-of-abs-cbn-franchise/
House committee urged to bring ABS-CBN franchise bills to plenary
Eight bills seeking an extension of ABS-CBN Corp's franchise must be brought to the House of Representatives plenary "without further delay," an opposition lawmaker on Monday urged a committee tasked to handle the measures.
The franchise of Lopez-owned ABS-CBN, which will expire at the end of March, is "inextricably linked" to press freedom, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said in the resolution. Lawmakers have 24 regular session days from Jan. 20 to act on the matter, it said.
Lagman issued the appeal to the Committee on Legislative Franchises in the wake of repeated statements from President Rodrigo Duterte that ABS-CBN's franchise should not be renewed, at one point urging its owners to just sell the network.
"Any inordinate delay or arbitrary denial of a franchise renewal emasculates freedom of the press," Lagman said.
The chairperson of the committee, Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, said last week that the "advice" from Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano was to ensure a "fair and impartial" review of the proposed franchise extension.
"But we should all be reminded that under the law, the grant of a franchise is not a right, but a privilege," Alvarez said. "This is why we have to hear all sides, and find out if ABS-CBN violated the provisions of its franchise."
Lagman signed the resolution, adding the following are expected to sign as soon as they return from their holiday break: Representatives Micaela Violago of Nueva Ecija, Joy Myra Tambunting of Parañaque, Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur, Doy Leachon of Oriental Mindoro, Jocelyn Limkaichong of Negros Oriental, Emmanuel Billones of Capiz, Christopher “Kit” Belmonte of Quezon City, France Castro of ACT-Teachers, Carlos Zarate of Bayan Muna, and Eufemia Cullamat also of Bayan Muna.
Lagman earlier said that a "deliberate and arbitrary" approval or denial of the franchise extension for another 25 years could endanger the livelihood of ABS-CBN's 10,955 employees.
MARCOS YEARS
The Albay lawmaker also said the President's threats against the network were "ominously reminiscent of the unceremonious closure" of media companies during the Marcos years, which included ABS-CBN.
The late Eugenio "Geny" Lopez Jr rebuilt ABS-CBN in 1986, following the ouster of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and the restoration of democracy. It is now the Philippines' largest media and entertainment network.
The Lagman resolution cited a Supreme Court ruling, which deemed as "unconstitutional prior restraint on the exercise of freedom of speech and of the press" past threats by the late Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez against the airing of the so-called "Garci Tapes."
The "Garci Tapes" are purported wiretapped recordings of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and ex-elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano on alleged plans to rig the 2004 elections in her favor. Arroyo has denied wrongdoing.
'PRESS FREEDOM'
Also under the resolution, Lagman said a franchise is required for "reasonable regulation" and not to curtail freedom of the press. It is a right, not a privilege, once the conditions for its grant are "substantially complied with."
"The President must uphold the freedom of the press and respect the independence of the Congress, particularly the House of Representatives where franchise bills originate, in granting and extending franchises," according to the resolution.
"Likewise, the leadership and membership of the House of Representatives, particularly the Committee on Legislative Franchises, must act independently in exercising exclusive congressional jurisdiction on the grant of franchises, and must not be cowed by the President’s wanton rantings," it said.
Castro, the ACT Teachers party-list representative, accused the President of using his office to get back at ABS-CBN, like it did to media organizations that report on his war on drugs, such as the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
"Kung may isyu talaga ang Pangulo laban sa ABS-CBN, idaan niya ito dapat sa proseso at huwag gamitin ang franchise nito upang brasuhin at i-bully ang media. Sana tumayo sa sariling paa ang Kongreso," Castro said.
(If the President has an issue with ABS-CBN, he should use the right processes and not use the franchise to intimidate and bully the media. We hope Congress will be independent.)
Alvarez also said last week that the franchise renewal should not be treated as a press freedom issue.
"The issue involves the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN. There is no attempt to muzzle or control the media here so do not try to make this a press freedom issue when it is not," he said.
news.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.
-- report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/06/20/house-committee-urged-to-bring-abs-cbn-franchise-bills-to-plenary
The franchise of Lopez-owned ABS-CBN, which will expire at the end of March, is "inextricably linked" to press freedom, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said in the resolution. Lawmakers have 24 regular session days from Jan. 20 to act on the matter, it said.
Lagman issued the appeal to the Committee on Legislative Franchises in the wake of repeated statements from President Rodrigo Duterte that ABS-CBN's franchise should not be renewed, at one point urging its owners to just sell the network.
"Any inordinate delay or arbitrary denial of a franchise renewal emasculates freedom of the press," Lagman said.
The chairperson of the committee, Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, said last week that the "advice" from Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano was to ensure a "fair and impartial" review of the proposed franchise extension.
"But we should all be reminded that under the law, the grant of a franchise is not a right, but a privilege," Alvarez said. "This is why we have to hear all sides, and find out if ABS-CBN violated the provisions of its franchise."
Lagman signed the resolution, adding the following are expected to sign as soon as they return from their holiday break: Representatives Micaela Violago of Nueva Ecija, Joy Myra Tambunting of Parañaque, Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur, Doy Leachon of Oriental Mindoro, Jocelyn Limkaichong of Negros Oriental, Emmanuel Billones of Capiz, Christopher “Kit” Belmonte of Quezon City, France Castro of ACT-Teachers, Carlos Zarate of Bayan Muna, and Eufemia Cullamat also of Bayan Muna.
Lagman earlier said that a "deliberate and arbitrary" approval or denial of the franchise extension for another 25 years could endanger the livelihood of ABS-CBN's 10,955 employees.
MARCOS YEARS
The Albay lawmaker also said the President's threats against the network were "ominously reminiscent of the unceremonious closure" of media companies during the Marcos years, which included ABS-CBN.
The late Eugenio "Geny" Lopez Jr rebuilt ABS-CBN in 1986, following the ouster of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and the restoration of democracy. It is now the Philippines' largest media and entertainment network.
The Lagman resolution cited a Supreme Court ruling, which deemed as "unconstitutional prior restraint on the exercise of freedom of speech and of the press" past threats by the late Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez against the airing of the so-called "Garci Tapes."
The "Garci Tapes" are purported wiretapped recordings of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and ex-elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano on alleged plans to rig the 2004 elections in her favor. Arroyo has denied wrongdoing.
'PRESS FREEDOM'
Also under the resolution, Lagman said a franchise is required for "reasonable regulation" and not to curtail freedom of the press. It is a right, not a privilege, once the conditions for its grant are "substantially complied with."
"The President must uphold the freedom of the press and respect the independence of the Congress, particularly the House of Representatives where franchise bills originate, in granting and extending franchises," according to the resolution.
"Likewise, the leadership and membership of the House of Representatives, particularly the Committee on Legislative Franchises, must act independently in exercising exclusive congressional jurisdiction on the grant of franchises, and must not be cowed by the President’s wanton rantings," it said.
Castro, the ACT Teachers party-list representative, accused the President of using his office to get back at ABS-CBN, like it did to media organizations that report on his war on drugs, such as the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
"Kung may isyu talaga ang Pangulo laban sa ABS-CBN, idaan niya ito dapat sa proseso at huwag gamitin ang franchise nito upang brasuhin at i-bully ang media. Sana tumayo sa sariling paa ang Kongreso," Castro said.
(If the President has an issue with ABS-CBN, he should use the right processes and not use the franchise to intimidate and bully the media. We hope Congress will be independent.)
Alvarez also said last week that the franchise renewal should not be treated as a press freedom issue.
"The issue involves the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN. There is no attempt to muzzle or control the media here so do not try to make this a press freedom issue when it is not," he said.
news.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.
-- report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/06/20/house-committee-urged-to-bring-abs-cbn-franchise-bills-to-plenary
‘Perceived threats’ to hasten Traslacion 2020 —NCRPO
The conduct of the annual procession of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo Church will be hastened due to perceived threats, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Brigadier General Debold Sinas said Monday.
In a press briefing, Sinas said the new arrangement of the procession, where security forces will block the front and the sides of the image, aims to speed up the Traslacion this year.
“Ito ang plano na gagawin namin. Because of the perceived threats, kailangan nating madaliin,” he said.
However, he clarified that these are not actual threats.
Last week, authorities apprehended suspected local extremist Datu Omar Palty, alias Allan Palte, 26 years old, who was allegedly the "point man" of a terror group in Metro Manila.
Palty was believed to be a former member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter under the Bungos faction.
He was arrested for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and illegal possession of explosives.
However, Sinas pointed out that the involvement of the suspect to such activity is still under investigation and not yet confirmed.
According to Sinas, the devotees who are obstructing the front and the sides of the procession cause delay in the activity.
Church officials also said that the shorter route and, possibly, shorter duration of the procession are all for the safety of the devotees.
In total, Sinas said around 16,000 security forces will ensure the security of the annual procession.
Aside from the police, personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail and Management Penology, and Philippine Coast Guard will also help secure the area.
At least 2,000 security personnel will focus on securing the andas. —LDF, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/metro/721188/perceived-threats-to-hasten-traslacion-2020-ncrpo/story/
In a press briefing, Sinas said the new arrangement of the procession, where security forces will block the front and the sides of the image, aims to speed up the Traslacion this year.
“Ito ang plano na gagawin namin. Because of the perceived threats, kailangan nating madaliin,” he said.
However, he clarified that these are not actual threats.
Last week, authorities apprehended suspected local extremist Datu Omar Palty, alias Allan Palte, 26 years old, who was allegedly the "point man" of a terror group in Metro Manila.
Palty was believed to be a former member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter under the Bungos faction.
He was arrested for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and illegal possession of explosives.
However, Sinas pointed out that the involvement of the suspect to such activity is still under investigation and not yet confirmed.
According to Sinas, the devotees who are obstructing the front and the sides of the procession cause delay in the activity.
Church officials also said that the shorter route and, possibly, shorter duration of the procession are all for the safety of the devotees.
In total, Sinas said around 16,000 security forces will ensure the security of the annual procession.
Aside from the police, personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail and Management Penology, and Philippine Coast Guard will also help secure the area.
At least 2,000 security personnel will focus on securing the andas. —LDF, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/metro/721188/perceived-threats-to-hasten-traslacion-2020-ncrpo/story/
Lawmakers urge House panel to act on ABS-CBN franchise
Lawmakers called on the House committee on legislative franchises to “report without delay” for plenary action a consolidation of eight pending bills seeking the renewal of ABS-CBN Corp’s franchise.
Rep. Edcel Lagman (Albay) led the group of 11 lawmakers in filing Resolution 639, pushing the panel to act on the media company’s franchise, which expires on March 30, 2020.
“All of these bills have not been acted upon by the committee on legislative franchises and no single hearing has been held on these bills before Congress went on Christmas recess possibly due to President Rodrigo Duterte's objection to subject renewal,” the resolution read.
Congress only has 24 regular session days from its resumption on January 20 to its Lenten adjournment from April 14 to May 3.
Among the lawmakers who introduced the resolution were Reps. Micaela Violago (Nueva Ecija), Joy Myra Tambunting (Parañaque), Johnny Pimentel (Surigao del Sur), Doy Leachon (Oriental Mindoro), Jocelyn Limkaichong (Negros Oriental), Emmanuel Billiones (Capiz), Kit Belmonte (Quezon City), France Castro (ACT-Teachers), Carlos Zarate (Bayan Muna), Eufemia Cullamat (Bayan Muna).
In a rare instance, administration allies and four deputy speakers of the administration-dominated House have filed bills seeking renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.
ABS-CBN’s current franchise was granted a term of 25 years under Republic Act 7966, approved on March 30, 1995.
A congressional franchise bill needs to be approved by the House of Representatives before it is transmitted to the Senate. The version of the proposed bill approved by both chambers will still need the president’s approval.
Duterte, however, has repeatedly criticized the broadcasting network and stated that he is determined to block the renewal of its franchise.
He also said the Lopez-owned company should just be sold as he vowed to give its owners an episode they will not forget. — Gaea Katreena Cabico
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/01/06/1982540/lawmakers-urge-house-panel-act-abs-cbn-franchise
Rep. Edcel Lagman (Albay) led the group of 11 lawmakers in filing Resolution 639, pushing the panel to act on the media company’s franchise, which expires on March 30, 2020.
“All of these bills have not been acted upon by the committee on legislative franchises and no single hearing has been held on these bills before Congress went on Christmas recess possibly due to President Rodrigo Duterte's objection to subject renewal,” the resolution read.
Congress only has 24 regular session days from its resumption on January 20 to its Lenten adjournment from April 14 to May 3.
Among the lawmakers who introduced the resolution were Reps. Micaela Violago (Nueva Ecija), Joy Myra Tambunting (Parañaque), Johnny Pimentel (Surigao del Sur), Doy Leachon (Oriental Mindoro), Jocelyn Limkaichong (Negros Oriental), Emmanuel Billiones (Capiz), Kit Belmonte (Quezon City), France Castro (ACT-Teachers), Carlos Zarate (Bayan Muna), Eufemia Cullamat (Bayan Muna).
In a rare instance, administration allies and four deputy speakers of the administration-dominated House have filed bills seeking renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.
ABS-CBN’s current franchise was granted a term of 25 years under Republic Act 7966, approved on March 30, 1995.
A congressional franchise bill needs to be approved by the House of Representatives before it is transmitted to the Senate. The version of the proposed bill approved by both chambers will still need the president’s approval.
Duterte, however, has repeatedly criticized the broadcasting network and stated that he is determined to block the renewal of its franchise.
He also said the Lopez-owned company should just be sold as he vowed to give its owners an episode they will not forget. — Gaea Katreena Cabico
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/01/06/1982540/lawmakers-urge-house-panel-act-abs-cbn-franchise
11 solons urge House panel to move forward with ABS-CBN franchise
Eleven lawmakers have urged a House of Representatives panel to move forward in tackling the franchise renewal of the ABS CBN Corporation and “report out” a consolidated bill for plenary action.
Lawmakers have affixed their signature on House Resolution No. 639 initiated by Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman which called on the Committee on Legislative Franchises to “report out without further delay for plenary action” a consolidated measure seeking to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN Corporation.
Under the resolution, the members and leaders of the House were urged to “respect the freedom of the press as an indispensable component of freedom of expression and free speech.”
Aside from Lagman, the 10 others who signed the resolution are the following:
The legislative franchise of ABS CBN is set to expire on March 30, 2020. Congress has only 24 regular session days from January 20 until its adjournment for the Holy Week starting on March 14 to May 3, and measures pushing for the firm’s franchise renewal still languish at the committee level in the House.
It is only after the House approves the measure on third and final reading before the Senate could start tackling it.
Last December, President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to block the franchise renewal of the television firm.
“If you are expecting na ma-renew ‘yan (franchise), I am sorry. I will see to it that you are out,” Duterte said on Dec. 3.
He also told the Lopez family, which is the controlling owner of the publicly-listed company, to just sell off the media network.
“If I were you, just sell it. Because it’s only now that the Filipino can retaliate against your abuses. And I will make sure that you will remember this episode of our times forever,” he said.
Lagman said the threats of the President against the renewal of the ABS-CBN’s franchise “due to his personal grievances” “constitute prior restraint on press freedom.”
He cited a previous Supreme Court decision on Chavez vs. Gonzales and National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) which found the warnings of then Secretary of Justice Raul Gonzales and NTC for radio and television media not to air the purported wiretapped “Garci tapes” to have a “chilling effect” on press freedom and constituted prior restraint on the exercise of freedom of speech and of the press.
The Albay lawmaker also pointed out that the ABS-CBN franchise is “inextricably linked to the exercise of press freedom” and any delay or arbitrary denial of a franchise renewal emasculates freedom of the press.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1209511/11-solons-urge-house-panel-to-move-forward-with-abs-cbn-franchise
Lawmakers have affixed their signature on House Resolution No. 639 initiated by Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman which called on the Committee on Legislative Franchises to “report out without further delay for plenary action” a consolidated measure seeking to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN Corporation.
Under the resolution, the members and leaders of the House were urged to “respect the freedom of the press as an indispensable component of freedom of expression and free speech.”
Aside from Lagman, the 10 others who signed the resolution are the following:
- Nueva Ecija 2nd District Rep. Micaela Violago
- Parañaque City 2nd District Rep. Joy Myra
- Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel
- Oriental Mindoro 1st District Rep. Doy Leachon
- Negros Oriental 1st District Rep. Josie Limkaichong
- Capiz 1st District Rep. Emmanuel Billones
- Quezon City 6th District Rep. Kit Belmonte
- ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro
- Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate
- Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Eufemia Cullamat.
The legislative franchise of ABS CBN is set to expire on March 30, 2020. Congress has only 24 regular session days from January 20 until its adjournment for the Holy Week starting on March 14 to May 3, and measures pushing for the firm’s franchise renewal still languish at the committee level in the House.
It is only after the House approves the measure on third and final reading before the Senate could start tackling it.
Last December, President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to block the franchise renewal of the television firm.
“If you are expecting na ma-renew ‘yan (franchise), I am sorry. I will see to it that you are out,” Duterte said on Dec. 3.
He also told the Lopez family, which is the controlling owner of the publicly-listed company, to just sell off the media network.
“If I were you, just sell it. Because it’s only now that the Filipino can retaliate against your abuses. And I will make sure that you will remember this episode of our times forever,” he said.
Lagman said the threats of the President against the renewal of the ABS-CBN’s franchise “due to his personal grievances” “constitute prior restraint on press freedom.”
He cited a previous Supreme Court decision on Chavez vs. Gonzales and National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) which found the warnings of then Secretary of Justice Raul Gonzales and NTC for radio and television media not to air the purported wiretapped “Garci tapes” to have a “chilling effect” on press freedom and constituted prior restraint on the exercise of freedom of speech and of the press.
The Albay lawmaker also pointed out that the ABS-CBN franchise is “inextricably linked to the exercise of press freedom” and any delay or arbitrary denial of a franchise renewal emasculates freedom of the press.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1209511/11-solons-urge-house-panel-to-move-forward-with-abs-cbn-franchise
A year of consequence
AS the New Year unfolds, the world is confronted with an old flashpoint rekindled: Iran. No thanks to the current President of the United States who has been impeached by the House of Representatives and who will be facing re-election 10 months from now. Am I implying that the assassination of the highest ranking Iranian military officer, on orders of POTUS#45, was an act “in aid of re-election”? Well, yes. And it is also an act in fulfillment of a Trumpian tweet against Barack Obama, POTUS#44, whom #45 (when he was still a private citizen) claimed was preparing to go to war against Iran in aid of re-election!
The problem when superpowers act is that consequences of such actions threaten to engulf more than just the actors. In our case, of course, we have countless citizens working legally (mostly) in the different kingdoms and sultanates in the Persian Gulf region and conflagration can have serious consequences for their health and safety.
And if these kababayans of ours face threats to their source of livelihood then that in turn has serious consequences for our own country’s economic health.
So yes, the world is on edge. Iran has powerful allies in the region, but powerful enemies in the neighborhood too (Saudi Arabia and Israel, for example). It’s not an exaggeration to say that the level of tension in the region is critical and any little spark – a friend has made reference to the assassination of ArchDuke that sparked the First World War – could provoke a string of responses ending in a conflagration that could make the Australian brushfires look like mere “kaingin” practices in our countryside.
But the Iran situation, that’s only the beginning, and the US presidential elections that is somehow related to it is only one more reason that makes 2020 a year of consequence. Here too there are a number of potential issues that will make or break peoples’ futures – individuals and the country’s.
For all intents and purposes PRRD is entering his lame-duck stage, and perhaps that’s why his allies in Congress are said to be hell-bent on pushing for Charter change. Since Ferdinand Marcos tinkered with the 1935 Constitution in 1971 to forestall the need to step down from office, two out of five of his successors have at one time or another toyed around with the idea of doing a Marcos. Ramos did. GMA did. Only Corazon and Benigno Aquino (who served full terms), and Joseph Estrada (who served only a year and a half before being ousted) didn’t try to go down this route. If PRRD’s boys make a serious effort to do so that would mean that half of all Presidents after Marcos are cut from the same cloth.
It means that half of our presidents since Marcos are of a firm belief that they are God’s gift to the Philippines and that belief is so strong that they are willing to cut up the Constitution and remake it to their own liking – couched of course in language intended to make us believe it is we who will ultimately benefit.
Iran aside, there is enough going around us in the Philippines that should make each one of us alert and open-minded, if not necessarily on edge. Before the year is over we will go through a considerable amount of challenges that will make us at times wonder whether it is even wise to care about people outside our smallest circles of trust. We will hear song and dance routines that will try to sell to us this or that course of action, if not this or that individual, as a lead-up to the transition that will happen In 2022. And yes, we need to take them all in. And think before we react.
But surely there should be some clear lines drawn in the sand. Some fundamentals that are not open to debate. Principles, for example, that do not come with a price tag. You and I will need to explore what these are, as they are very individual matters.
And then we must draw the lines in the sand as we prepare for this new year of consequence.
Personal: Happy happy birthday today kay Rev. fr. Marcelino E. Saria, OP Assistant to the Master of Students (Director of Pastoral Formation) Santo Domingo, Quezon City; happy birthday na rin kay Rev. fr. Gaspar R. Sigaya, OP! Priory of Saint Thomas Aquinas España, Manila and Get Well Soon Nanay Viring mother of Laiza Centeno Marasigan; belated happy birthday Ernesto Eroles asawa nI Arlene Revedizo Erloes na nasa Barangay Salvacion, Agdangan, Quezon; papa Dionisio Antonio, Jr.; Gigi Formento noong Enero 1; bunso Jilian Santiago Garrido; Daddy Jess Habal na ama ni MC Webster Habal (Jan. 2); MC King Jay Bulda mula kay Angel May Kylie Ruiz (Jan. 3)
The problem when superpowers act is that consequences of such actions threaten to engulf more than just the actors. In our case, of course, we have countless citizens working legally (mostly) in the different kingdoms and sultanates in the Persian Gulf region and conflagration can have serious consequences for their health and safety.
And if these kababayans of ours face threats to their source of livelihood then that in turn has serious consequences for our own country’s economic health.
So yes, the world is on edge. Iran has powerful allies in the region, but powerful enemies in the neighborhood too (Saudi Arabia and Israel, for example). It’s not an exaggeration to say that the level of tension in the region is critical and any little spark – a friend has made reference to the assassination of ArchDuke that sparked the First World War – could provoke a string of responses ending in a conflagration that could make the Australian brushfires look like mere “kaingin” practices in our countryside.
But the Iran situation, that’s only the beginning, and the US presidential elections that is somehow related to it is only one more reason that makes 2020 a year of consequence. Here too there are a number of potential issues that will make or break peoples’ futures – individuals and the country’s.
For all intents and purposes PRRD is entering his lame-duck stage, and perhaps that’s why his allies in Congress are said to be hell-bent on pushing for Charter change. Since Ferdinand Marcos tinkered with the 1935 Constitution in 1971 to forestall the need to step down from office, two out of five of his successors have at one time or another toyed around with the idea of doing a Marcos. Ramos did. GMA did. Only Corazon and Benigno Aquino (who served full terms), and Joseph Estrada (who served only a year and a half before being ousted) didn’t try to go down this route. If PRRD’s boys make a serious effort to do so that would mean that half of all Presidents after Marcos are cut from the same cloth.
It means that half of our presidents since Marcos are of a firm belief that they are God’s gift to the Philippines and that belief is so strong that they are willing to cut up the Constitution and remake it to their own liking – couched of course in language intended to make us believe it is we who will ultimately benefit.
Iran aside, there is enough going around us in the Philippines that should make each one of us alert and open-minded, if not necessarily on edge. Before the year is over we will go through a considerable amount of challenges that will make us at times wonder whether it is even wise to care about people outside our smallest circles of trust. We will hear song and dance routines that will try to sell to us this or that course of action, if not this or that individual, as a lead-up to the transition that will happen In 2022. And yes, we need to take them all in. And think before we react.
But surely there should be some clear lines drawn in the sand. Some fundamentals that are not open to debate. Principles, for example, that do not come with a price tag. You and I will need to explore what these are, as they are very individual matters.
And then we must draw the lines in the sand as we prepare for this new year of consequence.
Personal: Happy happy birthday today kay Rev. fr. Marcelino E. Saria, OP Assistant to the Master of Students (Director of Pastoral Formation) Santo Domingo, Quezon City; happy birthday na rin kay Rev. fr. Gaspar R. Sigaya, OP! Priory of Saint Thomas Aquinas España, Manila and Get Well Soon Nanay Viring mother of Laiza Centeno Marasigan; belated happy birthday Ernesto Eroles asawa nI Arlene Revedizo Erloes na nasa Barangay Salvacion, Agdangan, Quezon; papa Dionisio Antonio, Jr.; Gigi Formento noong Enero 1; bunso Jilian Santiago Garrido; Daddy Jess Habal na ama ni MC Webster Habal (Jan. 2); MC King Jay Bulda mula kay Angel May Kylie Ruiz (Jan. 3)
Duterte to sign P4.1 trillion 2020 budget amid ‘pork’ claims
President Duterte is scheduled to sign into law today the P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020, seen to sustain the government’s key programs but which is also haunted by the “insertions” controversy.
It was the second time under Duterte that the annual appropriation was not enacted by the end of the year.
Last year, the passage of the 2019 budget was stalled by the bickering among congressional leaders who had accused each other of placing last-minute insertions in the spending bill. The 2019 budget was signed in April, forcing the administration to operate under a reenacted outlay for months.
The tension over last year’s spending program was apparent in Duterte’s decision to veto several items in the budget, including more than P95 billion worth of public works projects that were viewed as unconstitutional.
Duterte had also vowed to block attempts to “circumvent the Constitution or any other action that will prejudice the Filipino people” in his strongly worded veto message.
While economic managers have hailed the improvement in budget deliberations – the 2020 budget was ratified before yearend and its implementation delayed only by a few days – there are claims that this year’s spending program is not free from insertions.
After the ratification of the 2020 budget, Sen. Panfilo Lacson claimed to have received a flash drive containing a source file and a list file indicating that the spending bill has questionable items, including projects that lack description.
Lacson said the source file is the list of 1,253 budget items worth P83.2 billion that was “apparently used as the congressmen’s ‘source’ of their list of 742 projects worth P16.3 billion that were inserted” in the approved bicameral report.
Lacson admitted it could not be ascertained if only P16.3 billion or the bigger amount of P83.2 billion was inserted before the bicam signing, but it was clear that “there are still lump sums and vaguely described projects that are now part of the bicam report.”
House leaders have claimed that they have passed “a budget with no pork, no parked funds and no delays with full transparency.”
In 2013, the Supreme Court declared congressional allocations known as “pork barrel” as unconstitutional because it enabled lawmakers to wield non-oversight, post-enactment authority in key areas of budget executions, a practice that violated the separation of powers.
Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado yesterday kept mum on the alleged insertions in the 2020 budget, saying the media should just wait for the President’s pronouncements.
In recent interviews, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte would not allow any illegal item in the 2020 budget.
“The President said if it is against the Constitution, he would veto it,” Panelo said in a radio interview last week.
Among the agencies, the public works department will have the biggest share of the budget with P580.9 billion, but the combined budget of items related to education is still bigger, in compliance with the requirement set by the Constitution.
The education department will have P521.4 billion while state universities and colleges and the Commission on Higher Education will get P73.7 billion and P46.7 billion, respectively.
The health department will receive P101 billion while the agriculture department will get P62.3 billion.
The budget of the social welfare department this year will be P163.8 billion while the information and communications technology department will get P9.9 billion.
The transportation department will receive an allocation of P99.4 billion while the environment department will be given P25.5 billion.
Clueless
Meanwhile, senators and congressmen are clueless about any veto on the Congress-approved P4.1-trillion national budget for this year after less than a week of operating on a re-enacted budget.
Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab, chairman of the committee on appropriations of the House of Representatives, acknowledged that he remains clueless on what provisions the Chief Executive may veto.
Ungab, along with Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, said the 2020 national budget is reflective of Duterte’s vision for inclusive economic growth aimed at making a comfortable life for around 105 million Filipinos.
Deputy Speaker LRay Villafuerte of Camarines Sur said two budget-related measures they approved in Congress before they went on Christmas break last month are expected to propel the economy to a higher trajectory this year.
These are the 2020 General Appropriations Bill of P4.1 trillion and the newly signed Republic Act 11464, which made unspent portions of the 2019 General Appropriations Act available for release until Dec. 31 this year.
Villafuerte said both initiatives would let the Duterte administration all the more accelerate state spending on infrastructure and human capital development, which, in turn, are sure to further boost the growth momentum and create more jobs for Filipinos.
“Both the 2020 GAB and RA 11464 will enable the government to sustain the catch-up spending strategy that the President’s economic team put in place in (the third quarter of) 2019 to make up for the four months of delay in the passage of the 2019 GAA,” Villafuerte said.
Rep. Mikee Romero of 1-Pacman party-list, another deputy speaker expressed optimism about this year’s budget but at the same time called on economic managers to make sure that the stellar economy trickles down to the Filipino masses who need resources the most.
“Let us set a working target on poverty reduction. Together, let us aim for lower than 20 percent. It can be done this year if we maintain our focus on our inclusive economy goals,” the economist and business tycoon said.
“The whole economy will keep on running well at a sustained economic growth rate above six percent, onward to even 6.5 percent by this year and sustainable above 6.5 percent in 2021,” Romero, who is also president of the Party-List Coalition Foundation Inc., added.
Low inflation; strong consumer confidence; continued strong overseas Filipino workers’ remittances, especially from seafarers, professionals and cruise ship personnel; and robust countryside growth boosted by government spending are key growth drivers in the economy, according to the lawmaker. – With Delon Porcalla
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/01/06/1982443/duterte-sign-p41-trillion-2020-budget-amid-pork-claims
It was the second time under Duterte that the annual appropriation was not enacted by the end of the year.
Last year, the passage of the 2019 budget was stalled by the bickering among congressional leaders who had accused each other of placing last-minute insertions in the spending bill. The 2019 budget was signed in April, forcing the administration to operate under a reenacted outlay for months.
The tension over last year’s spending program was apparent in Duterte’s decision to veto several items in the budget, including more than P95 billion worth of public works projects that were viewed as unconstitutional.
Duterte had also vowed to block attempts to “circumvent the Constitution or any other action that will prejudice the Filipino people” in his strongly worded veto message.
While economic managers have hailed the improvement in budget deliberations – the 2020 budget was ratified before yearend and its implementation delayed only by a few days – there are claims that this year’s spending program is not free from insertions.
After the ratification of the 2020 budget, Sen. Panfilo Lacson claimed to have received a flash drive containing a source file and a list file indicating that the spending bill has questionable items, including projects that lack description.
Lacson said the source file is the list of 1,253 budget items worth P83.2 billion that was “apparently used as the congressmen’s ‘source’ of their list of 742 projects worth P16.3 billion that were inserted” in the approved bicameral report.
Lacson admitted it could not be ascertained if only P16.3 billion or the bigger amount of P83.2 billion was inserted before the bicam signing, but it was clear that “there are still lump sums and vaguely described projects that are now part of the bicam report.”
House leaders have claimed that they have passed “a budget with no pork, no parked funds and no delays with full transparency.”
In 2013, the Supreme Court declared congressional allocations known as “pork barrel” as unconstitutional because it enabled lawmakers to wield non-oversight, post-enactment authority in key areas of budget executions, a practice that violated the separation of powers.
Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado yesterday kept mum on the alleged insertions in the 2020 budget, saying the media should just wait for the President’s pronouncements.
In recent interviews, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte would not allow any illegal item in the 2020 budget.
“The President said if it is against the Constitution, he would veto it,” Panelo said in a radio interview last week.
Among the agencies, the public works department will have the biggest share of the budget with P580.9 billion, but the combined budget of items related to education is still bigger, in compliance with the requirement set by the Constitution.
The education department will have P521.4 billion while state universities and colleges and the Commission on Higher Education will get P73.7 billion and P46.7 billion, respectively.
The health department will receive P101 billion while the agriculture department will get P62.3 billion.
The budget of the social welfare department this year will be P163.8 billion while the information and communications technology department will get P9.9 billion.
The transportation department will receive an allocation of P99.4 billion while the environment department will be given P25.5 billion.
Clueless
Meanwhile, senators and congressmen are clueless about any veto on the Congress-approved P4.1-trillion national budget for this year after less than a week of operating on a re-enacted budget.
Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab, chairman of the committee on appropriations of the House of Representatives, acknowledged that he remains clueless on what provisions the Chief Executive may veto.
Ungab, along with Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, said the 2020 national budget is reflective of Duterte’s vision for inclusive economic growth aimed at making a comfortable life for around 105 million Filipinos.
Deputy Speaker LRay Villafuerte of Camarines Sur said two budget-related measures they approved in Congress before they went on Christmas break last month are expected to propel the economy to a higher trajectory this year.
These are the 2020 General Appropriations Bill of P4.1 trillion and the newly signed Republic Act 11464, which made unspent portions of the 2019 General Appropriations Act available for release until Dec. 31 this year.
Villafuerte said both initiatives would let the Duterte administration all the more accelerate state spending on infrastructure and human capital development, which, in turn, are sure to further boost the growth momentum and create more jobs for Filipinos.
“Both the 2020 GAB and RA 11464 will enable the government to sustain the catch-up spending strategy that the President’s economic team put in place in (the third quarter of) 2019 to make up for the four months of delay in the passage of the 2019 GAA,” Villafuerte said.
Rep. Mikee Romero of 1-Pacman party-list, another deputy speaker expressed optimism about this year’s budget but at the same time called on economic managers to make sure that the stellar economy trickles down to the Filipino masses who need resources the most.
“Let us set a working target on poverty reduction. Together, let us aim for lower than 20 percent. It can be done this year if we maintain our focus on our inclusive economy goals,” the economist and business tycoon said.
“The whole economy will keep on running well at a sustained economic growth rate above six percent, onward to even 6.5 percent by this year and sustainable above 6.5 percent in 2021,” Romero, who is also president of the Party-List Coalition Foundation Inc., added.
Low inflation; strong consumer confidence; continued strong overseas Filipino workers’ remittances, especially from seafarers, professionals and cruise ship personnel; and robust countryside growth boosted by government spending are key growth drivers in the economy, according to the lawmaker. – With Delon Porcalla
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/01/06/1982443/duterte-sign-p41-trillion-2020-budget-amid-pork-claims
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