The House committee on legislative franchises bypassed anew all eight bills proposing to grant broadcast giant ABS-CBN another 25 years to operate.
The House panel conducted its first congressional hearing for 2020 on Tuesday but did not include the ABS-CBN franchise renewal bills on the agenda.
In all hearings conducted last year, the committee deliberated on other measures except the ABS-CBN bills authored by senior administration and opposition lawmakers.
Four legislative proposals, all recent filings compared to at least three ABS-CBN bills, were taken up during the hearing presided over by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, committee chairman.
The four were swiftly approved by the House panel the same day they were deliberated on.
Approved were House Bill (HB) No. 4162 granting the Romeo Cabresante Servando company another 25 years to operate a radio-television network, HB 5154 for the legislative franchise of Philand Communications Network, HB 5361 for the FBS Radio Network, and HB 5154 for the Century Communications Marketing Corporation.
Before the adjournment, Alvarez was asked when he intended to set the ABS-CBN legislative franchise for committee hearing.
Alvarez responded by saying that this is still being studied. He did not elaborate.
The continued broadcasting operation of ABS-CBN has drawn serious opposition from various quarters, including President Duterte who has accused the network of being prejudiced against him during the 2016 presidential campaign.
However, the committee’s indecisiveness in scheduling the legislative franchise bills for a hearing is caused by an intense lobby allegedly by leaders of an influential religious sect who resented the network’s coverage of controversies that involved them.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/02/06/abs-cbn-bills-bypassed-anew-as-house-panel-takes-up-legislative-franchise-measures/
Thursday, February 6, 2020
Progressive solons urge House franchise committee to tackle ABS-CBN renewal bills
By Charissa Luci-Atienza
Progressive lawmakers challenged the House committee on legislative franchises on Thursday (Feb. 5) to prove its independence from the Executive by immediately tackling measures seeking to renew the franchise of broadcast network ABS-CBN for another 25 years.
Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate exhorted his colleagues to prove that they are not a rubber stamp of Malacañang by exercising their mandate to hear measures concerning press freedom.
He said the House committee on legislative franchises, chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, has yet to calendar the measures for its discussion.
Alvarez said last year his panel would tackle the bills in early 2020.
“Let us fulfill our responsibility that we are an independent branch of our government. Let us fulfill our duties and responsibilities as legislators to tackle the application for renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN,” Zarate told reporters in a press conference.
“The hearing on the application for the renewal of franchise of the ABS-CBN should be immediately set.”
He said the non-action of the House on the matter would imperil the livelihood of the network’s 11,000 employees.
The Lopez-owned broadcasting firm would have to close down its operations by March 30, 2020 if the legislative franchise is not granted.
ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said in the Alvarez panel hearing on Wednesday
(Feb.5) that Quezon City Rep. Precious Hipolito-Castelo had inquired about the status of the franchise bills.
“The answer was they are still studying the bills. They have long been studying these proposals since the 17th Congress,” Castro said. “We should tackle this so that the burden will not be on us, but on President Duterte.”
Last year, Laguna Rep. Sol Aragones appealed to President Duterte to “reconsider his position” as far as the non-renewal of television giant ABS-CBN’s franchise or its sale is concerned.
The chairman of the House committee on tourism expressed her hope that the chief executive would show concern and compassion to the thousands of employees of ABS-CBN who will be affected either by the non-renewal of the TV network’s legislative franchise, or its sale.
“I appeal to the President to reconsider his position on the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, as its non-renewal or its sale to third parties may threaten the livelihoods of over 11,000 employees––many of whom I worked with during my stint as a reporter in the network,” she said.
“The past three-plus years have shown that the President’s actions are guided by his concern and his compassion for our people.”
Aragones is one of the principal authors of a bill seeking to renew the ABS-CBN franchise for another 25 years.
In a speech before earthquake victims in M’lang, North Cotabato in December last year, President Duterte said it would be better for the Lopezes to sell their network, hinting at the possibility that its franchise will not be granted.
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano had given the assurance that the House of Representatives would give due attention to the measures concerning freedom of the press, including the proposed renewal of the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN Corp.
He said like with any other hearings, it is the obligation of Congress to be “fair” and “to bring out those real issues and to give the other side the opportunity to respond and determine who is right.”
In 2017, President Duterte publicly declared he would oppose the renewal of ABS-CBN’s legislative franchise. Since then, he has launched repeated tirades against the network for its supposed refusal to run his advertisements during the 2016 election campaign and for showing an ad critical of him.
Among the authors of the franchise bill are Aragones, Nueva Ecija Rep. Micaela Violago, Deputy Speakers Vilma Santos and Baby Arenas, Occidental Mindoro Rep. Josephine Ramirez-Sato, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, and Albay Rep. Joey Salceda.
The House of Representatives during the previous 17th Congress failed to act on the bill.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/02/06/progressive-solons-urge-house-franchise-committee-to-tackle-abs-cbn-renewal-bills/
Progressive lawmakers challenged the House committee on legislative franchises on Thursday (Feb. 5) to prove its independence from the Executive by immediately tackling measures seeking to renew the franchise of broadcast network ABS-CBN for another 25 years.
Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate exhorted his colleagues to prove that they are not a rubber stamp of Malacañang by exercising their mandate to hear measures concerning press freedom.
He said the House committee on legislative franchises, chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, has yet to calendar the measures for its discussion.
Alvarez said last year his panel would tackle the bills in early 2020.
“Let us fulfill our responsibility that we are an independent branch of our government. Let us fulfill our duties and responsibilities as legislators to tackle the application for renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN,” Zarate told reporters in a press conference.
“The hearing on the application for the renewal of franchise of the ABS-CBN should be immediately set.”
He said the non-action of the House on the matter would imperil the livelihood of the network’s 11,000 employees.
The Lopez-owned broadcasting firm would have to close down its operations by March 30, 2020 if the legislative franchise is not granted.
ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said in the Alvarez panel hearing on Wednesday
(Feb.5) that Quezon City Rep. Precious Hipolito-Castelo had inquired about the status of the franchise bills.
“The answer was they are still studying the bills. They have long been studying these proposals since the 17th Congress,” Castro said. “We should tackle this so that the burden will not be on us, but on President Duterte.”
Last year, Laguna Rep. Sol Aragones appealed to President Duterte to “reconsider his position” as far as the non-renewal of television giant ABS-CBN’s franchise or its sale is concerned.
The chairman of the House committee on tourism expressed her hope that the chief executive would show concern and compassion to the thousands of employees of ABS-CBN who will be affected either by the non-renewal of the TV network’s legislative franchise, or its sale.
“I appeal to the President to reconsider his position on the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, as its non-renewal or its sale to third parties may threaten the livelihoods of over 11,000 employees––many of whom I worked with during my stint as a reporter in the network,” she said.
“The past three-plus years have shown that the President’s actions are guided by his concern and his compassion for our people.”
Aragones is one of the principal authors of a bill seeking to renew the ABS-CBN franchise for another 25 years.
In a speech before earthquake victims in M’lang, North Cotabato in December last year, President Duterte said it would be better for the Lopezes to sell their network, hinting at the possibility that its franchise will not be granted.
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano had given the assurance that the House of Representatives would give due attention to the measures concerning freedom of the press, including the proposed renewal of the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN Corp.
He said like with any other hearings, it is the obligation of Congress to be “fair” and “to bring out those real issues and to give the other side the opportunity to respond and determine who is right.”
In 2017, President Duterte publicly declared he would oppose the renewal of ABS-CBN’s legislative franchise. Since then, he has launched repeated tirades against the network for its supposed refusal to run his advertisements during the 2016 election campaign and for showing an ad critical of him.
Among the authors of the franchise bill are Aragones, Nueva Ecija Rep. Micaela Violago, Deputy Speakers Vilma Santos and Baby Arenas, Occidental Mindoro Rep. Josephine Ramirez-Sato, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, and Albay Rep. Joey Salceda.
The House of Representatives during the previous 17th Congress failed to act on the bill.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/02/06/progressive-solons-urge-house-franchise-committee-to-tackle-abs-cbn-renewal-bills/
Clock is ticking: House pressed to urgently tackle ABS-CBN franchise renewal
Over a month before the franchise of media giant ABS-CBN expires, lawmakers pushed leaders of the House of Representatives to deal with the issue.
Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate said Thursday the lower chamber should perform its responsibilities as an independent body from the executive department.
To recall, President Rodrigo Duterte, on numerous occasions, has declared he would block the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN due to supposed “violations” committed by the broadcast network. ABS-CBN’s legal franchise to operate is set to lapse on March 30.
“Muli hinahamon namin ang liderato ng kamarang ito na isalang na at dinggin ang prangkisa. If there’s a ground to renew it, if there is basis to renew it, so be it. Kung wala sa pagdinig, then so be it,” Zarate said in a press briefing.
(Again, we are challenging the leaders of the House to hear the franchise of ABS-CBN. If there’s a ground to renew it, if there is a basis to renew it, so be it. If there is none, then so be it.)
“Gawin natin ang ating duties and responsibilities as legislators na tingnan itong application for renewal ng prangkisa ng ABS-CBN,” the lawmaker added.
(Let us perform our duties and responsibilities as legislators and look into the application for renewal of franchise of ABS-CBN.)
Zarate said the matter not only covers the franchise of ABS-CBN but also the employment of the 11,000 workers who would be directly affected by the closure of the media company.
Further, the lawmaker said that if Malacañang really does not approve of the franchise renewal, Duterte can still veto it even if it is approved by Congress.
Meanwhile, ACT-Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said the lower chamber should still hear the measure so the blame would not be put on the legislative branch.
“Sana ‘wag mapunta ‘yung blame sa legislation kasi personal na away lang ito ng Presidente with ABS-CBN. Kaya ang hamon natin sa liderato, i-hearing na ito,” Castro said.
(I hope the blame would not be put on legislation because this is a personal feud between the President and ABS-CBN. So our challenge to the House leadership [is] set a hearing on this.)
“Kung kailangan ilagay sa plenary, pagdebatehan ‘yan para ang burden ay hindi sa legislation. Hindi dito ang burden kundi kay President Duterte,” she added.
(If we need to bring this to the plenary, debate on it so the burden won’t be on legislation. The burden isn’t here but to President Duterte.)
For Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal is about press freedom.
“Syempre ipinagtatanggol natin dito ‘yung press freedom. Talagang notorious sa ngayon na ang mga nalalabag ay ang ating civil political-economic rights,” Brosas said.
(Of course, we’d fight for press freedom here. Right now, violations of our civil political-economic rights are really notorious.)
Republic Act No. 3846 requires television and radio broadcasting companies to secure a franchise from the government before they are allowed to operate. It is Congress that will decide whether to extend the franchise to public utilities, such as the media.
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has previously said that Palawan 1st Dist. Rep. Franz Alvarez, chair of the House committee on legislative franchises, recommended that franchise bills be tackled in the first week of February.
On Wednesday, February 5, the House panel on legislative franchises conducted hearings but ABS-CBN’s franchise was not on the agenda. The House of Representatives is scheduled to take a break on March 13.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1225150/clock-is-ticking-house-pressed-to-urgently-tackle-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal
Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate said Thursday the lower chamber should perform its responsibilities as an independent body from the executive department.
To recall, President Rodrigo Duterte, on numerous occasions, has declared he would block the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN due to supposed “violations” committed by the broadcast network. ABS-CBN’s legal franchise to operate is set to lapse on March 30.
“Muli hinahamon namin ang liderato ng kamarang ito na isalang na at dinggin ang prangkisa. If there’s a ground to renew it, if there is basis to renew it, so be it. Kung wala sa pagdinig, then so be it,” Zarate said in a press briefing.
(Again, we are challenging the leaders of the House to hear the franchise of ABS-CBN. If there’s a ground to renew it, if there is a basis to renew it, so be it. If there is none, then so be it.)
“Gawin natin ang ating duties and responsibilities as legislators na tingnan itong application for renewal ng prangkisa ng ABS-CBN,” the lawmaker added.
(Let us perform our duties and responsibilities as legislators and look into the application for renewal of franchise of ABS-CBN.)
Zarate said the matter not only covers the franchise of ABS-CBN but also the employment of the 11,000 workers who would be directly affected by the closure of the media company.
Further, the lawmaker said that if Malacañang really does not approve of the franchise renewal, Duterte can still veto it even if it is approved by Congress.
Meanwhile, ACT-Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro said the lower chamber should still hear the measure so the blame would not be put on the legislative branch.
“Sana ‘wag mapunta ‘yung blame sa legislation kasi personal na away lang ito ng Presidente with ABS-CBN. Kaya ang hamon natin sa liderato, i-hearing na ito,” Castro said.
(I hope the blame would not be put on legislation because this is a personal feud between the President and ABS-CBN. So our challenge to the House leadership [is] set a hearing on this.)
“Kung kailangan ilagay sa plenary, pagdebatehan ‘yan para ang burden ay hindi sa legislation. Hindi dito ang burden kundi kay President Duterte,” she added.
(If we need to bring this to the plenary, debate on it so the burden won’t be on legislation. The burden isn’t here but to President Duterte.)
For Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal is about press freedom.
“Syempre ipinagtatanggol natin dito ‘yung press freedom. Talagang notorious sa ngayon na ang mga nalalabag ay ang ating civil political-economic rights,” Brosas said.
(Of course, we’d fight for press freedom here. Right now, violations of our civil political-economic rights are really notorious.)
Republic Act No. 3846 requires television and radio broadcasting companies to secure a franchise from the government before they are allowed to operate. It is Congress that will decide whether to extend the franchise to public utilities, such as the media.
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has previously said that Palawan 1st Dist. Rep. Franz Alvarez, chair of the House committee on legislative franchises, recommended that franchise bills be tackled in the first week of February.
On Wednesday, February 5, the House panel on legislative franchises conducted hearings but ABS-CBN’s franchise was not on the agenda. The House of Representatives is scheduled to take a break on March 13.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1225150/clock-is-ticking-house-pressed-to-urgently-tackle-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal