Personal grievances of lawmakers over ABS-CBN's editorial coverage should not be used to settle a score against the network's bid for a fresh legislative franchise, a global watchdog said Monday.
"It's not the job of Congress, of the Senate to try to determine whether ABS-CBN, for instance, has covered, you know, issues fairly. It's not their job," Carlos Conde, Asia researcher of the New York-based Human Rights Watch, told ANC's "Headstart."
"The job of the franchise committee is to extend the franchise based on their assessment, or the NTC [National Telecommunications Commission], the government's assessment of ABS-CBN's conduct directly relating to the franchise," he added.
Some 11 bills seeking an extension of ABS-CBN's franchise, which is set to expire on March 30, 2020, remain pending in Congress.
The public should be the one to decide if ABS-CBN, which operates free TV Channel 2 and radio DZMM, had been fair in its editorial coverage.
"To try to use these complaints, no matter how valid they are, to try to influence the issuance of the franchise, that's what makes it really egregious. That's what makes it really problematic," Conde said.
Threatening to block the franchise renewal of the media giant by deferring committee hearings and filing a quo warranto petition to invalidate its license, which Conde considers a one-two punch move by the government, is an attack on press freedom.
"Ultimately, this issue is about how the public will support press freedom. It's non-negotiable. Either you have it or you don't. People say in the Philippines you can still have press freedom, which is true. Anybody can say anything in this milieu right now," Conde said.
He added, "But they are not talking about what happens after you said that. What happens after you are critical. Look what happened to [news website] Rappler. What happens when you do your job properly, look what happens to ABS-CBN. What happens when you criticize a mayor, governor or drug lord. You look at how many journalists in the provinces have been killed in the past for how many years."
Conde warned that ABS-CBN and its thousands of employees who may stand to lose their livelihoods should prepare for the worst.
"Given the popularity of this President, given the fact his party controls the Congress, the possibilities are endless for this government to shut down ABS-CBN," he said.
He added, "The government has shown, the Solicitor General has shown, they have the capacity and the willpower to try to bend the law according to their wishes. I'm sorry to say they're gonna be doing that in the case of ABS-CBN."
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/17/20/franchise-renewal-not-proper-forum-to-settle-editorial-issues-vs-abs-cbn-watchdog
Monday, February 17, 2020
At least 91 solons signed reso for House panel action on ABS-CBN franchise bills —Lagman
By ERWIN COLCOL, GMA News
At least 91 congressmen have already signed the resolution urging the House Committee on Legislative Franchises to immediately act on the pending bills seeking to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN Corporation, Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said Monday.
In House Resolution 639, the House legislative franchises panel is urged to "report out without further delay for plenary action" a consolidated version of the 11 pending bills proposing for the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise for another 25 years.
Lagman, in a press conference, said eight of the 91 lawmakers who signed the resolution are deputy speakers, with another one is expected to sign within the day.
A total of 21 committee chairpersons have also signed the resolution, 12 are members of the Committee on Rules, and 65 are members of the so-called "Supermajority" bloc, he added.
Lagman also said that he would likewise endorse a motion to discharge the pending bills from the House legislative franchises panel if there are still no hearings to deliberate them.
"I don't want to rock the boat in the House, but if the foot-dragging would continue, then I would endorse that because the number of signatories to the resolution is more than the required one-fifth of the membership of the House to move to discharge," he said.
"What is needed is only 60, one-fifth of 302 or 303 is 60.4. Yung 91 is way above the requisite of one-fifth," he added.
According to the resolution, the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise is "inextricably" linked to the exercise of press freedom, but none of the 11 bills calling for its renewal have been acted upon by the Committee on Legislative Franchises and no single hearing has been held "possibly due to President Duterte's object to subject renewal."
"The freedom of the press is corollary to the people's right to information and the decimation of press freedom amounts to the demise of the people's right to know," the resolution read.
"It is of critical immediacy for the leadership and membership of the House of Representatives to uphold and respect the freedom of the press as an indispensable component of the freedom of expression and free speech," it added.
House Committee on Legislative Franchises vice chairman Tonypet Albano, however, assured that ABS-CBN will have its "time and day" at the chamber for the deliberation of the measures seeking for the renewal of its franchise.
"There will be a proper time and timing for ABS-CBN to be heard in the Franchise committee with the intentions of having a thorough, fair and honest-to-good hearing," he said.
"We intend to give ABS-CBN its intended 'time and day' to answer all the critics, and to debate thoroughly on the merits of the case at hand, in order to make sure that the committee report is not only fair, but good for all stakeholders," he added.
Albano also said that although ABS-CBN's franchise is expiring on March 30, Congress has enough time to discuss it within the whole term of the 18th Congress, up to June 30, 2022, due to the pendency of the bills seeking for the renewal of its franchise. —LDF, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/726287/at-least-91-solons-signed-reso-for-house-panel-action-on-abs-cbn-franchise-bills-lagman/story/
At least 91 congressmen have already signed the resolution urging the House Committee on Legislative Franchises to immediately act on the pending bills seeking to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN Corporation, Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said Monday.
In House Resolution 639, the House legislative franchises panel is urged to "report out without further delay for plenary action" a consolidated version of the 11 pending bills proposing for the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise for another 25 years.
Lagman, in a press conference, said eight of the 91 lawmakers who signed the resolution are deputy speakers, with another one is expected to sign within the day.
A total of 21 committee chairpersons have also signed the resolution, 12 are members of the Committee on Rules, and 65 are members of the so-called "Supermajority" bloc, he added.
Lagman also said that he would likewise endorse a motion to discharge the pending bills from the House legislative franchises panel if there are still no hearings to deliberate them.
"I don't want to rock the boat in the House, but if the foot-dragging would continue, then I would endorse that because the number of signatories to the resolution is more than the required one-fifth of the membership of the House to move to discharge," he said.
"What is needed is only 60, one-fifth of 302 or 303 is 60.4. Yung 91 is way above the requisite of one-fifth," he added.
According to the resolution, the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise is "inextricably" linked to the exercise of press freedom, but none of the 11 bills calling for its renewal have been acted upon by the Committee on Legislative Franchises and no single hearing has been held "possibly due to President Duterte's object to subject renewal."
"The freedom of the press is corollary to the people's right to information and the decimation of press freedom amounts to the demise of the people's right to know," the resolution read.
"It is of critical immediacy for the leadership and membership of the House of Representatives to uphold and respect the freedom of the press as an indispensable component of the freedom of expression and free speech," it added.
House Committee on Legislative Franchises vice chairman Tonypet Albano, however, assured that ABS-CBN will have its "time and day" at the chamber for the deliberation of the measures seeking for the renewal of its franchise.
"There will be a proper time and timing for ABS-CBN to be heard in the Franchise committee with the intentions of having a thorough, fair and honest-to-good hearing," he said.
"We intend to give ABS-CBN its intended 'time and day' to answer all the critics, and to debate thoroughly on the merits of the case at hand, in order to make sure that the committee report is not only fair, but good for all stakeholders," he added.
Albano also said that although ABS-CBN's franchise is expiring on March 30, Congress has enough time to discuss it within the whole term of the 18th Congress, up to June 30, 2022, due to the pendency of the bills seeking for the renewal of its franchise. —LDF, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/726287/at-least-91-solons-signed-reso-for-house-panel-action-on-abs-cbn-franchise-bills-lagman/story/
Nearly 100 solons want House panel to now tackle ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal
So far, 91 members of the House of Representatives – including eight Deputy Speakers – have signed the resolution urging the committee on legislative franchises to tackle bills concerning the legislative franchise renewal of media network giant ABS-CBN.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, the author of House Resolution (HR) No. 639, disclosed this Monday, as he revealed that: “I am of the understanding that another Deputy Speaker will sign today.”
Further, the lawmaker said 21 committee chairs likewise affixed their signatures in the resolution.
Of the 91 lawmakers who signed the resolution, 65 are members of the so-called supermajority in the House, Lagman added.
HR 639 argues that the renewal of ABS-CBN’s legislative franchise is “inextricably linked to the exercise of press freedom.”
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.
Eleven bills have been filed in the House seeking to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN, which is one of the biggest media outlets in the country.
However, it has yet to be put on calendar by the House committee on legislative franchises.
In a press briefing, Isabela Rep. Antonio Albano, vice-chairperson of the committee on legislative franchises, assured that the committee has been “working hard to facilitate all the franchise renewals and applications that been lodged in our committee.”
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1229773/nearly-100-solons-want-house-panel-to-now-tackle-abs-cbns-franchise-renewal
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, the author of House Resolution (HR) No. 639, disclosed this Monday, as he revealed that: “I am of the understanding that another Deputy Speaker will sign today.”
Further, the lawmaker said 21 committee chairs likewise affixed their signatures in the resolution.
Of the 91 lawmakers who signed the resolution, 65 are members of the so-called supermajority in the House, Lagman added.
HR 639 argues that the renewal of ABS-CBN’s legislative franchise is “inextricably linked to the exercise of press freedom.”
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.
Eleven bills have been filed in the House seeking to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN, which is one of the biggest media outlets in the country.
However, it has yet to be put on calendar by the House committee on legislative franchises.
In a press briefing, Isabela Rep. Antonio Albano, vice-chairperson of the committee on legislative franchises, assured that the committee has been “working hard to facilitate all the franchise renewals and applications that been lodged in our committee.”
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1229773/nearly-100-solons-want-house-panel-to-now-tackle-abs-cbns-franchise-renewal
NTC can’t ‘resurrect’ expired franchise of ABS-CBN, says solon
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman on Monday thumbed down the suggestion of some House leaders for media and entertainment company ABS-CBN to secure a provisional authority from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to operate even after the expiration of its franchise.
In a statement, Lagman said such suggestion is a mere “illusory remedy,” since only holders of a valid, existing and/or renewed franchise can apply with the NTC for a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN).
“The NTC cannot on its own resurrect an expired legislative franchise by granting a former grantee a ‘provisional authority to operate’,” said Lagman, who was among those who filed a resolution pushing the lower chamber to hear ABS-CBN’s application for franchise renewal.
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano previously said that ABS-CBN may continue broadcasting if the NTC grants it a provisional authority to operate.
Cayetano said that the the House franchise panel may submit to the NTC a document supporting the provisional license for ABS-CBN.
Isabela Rep. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano, who serves as vice-chairperson of the House committee on legislative franchises, also said that ABS-CBN can still operate beyond the expiration of its franchise on March 30.
Cannot operate without franchise
Lagman claimed that rather than prescribing false cures for ABS-CBN, the House should just expedite the renewal of its franchise.
The opposition solon pointed out that such provisional authority from NTC “can be challenged in court because it is not validated by jurisprudence,” citing Section 16 of Republic Act No. 7925 or the Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines.
This provision states that “no person shall commence or conduct the business of being a public telecommunications entity without first obtaining a franchise.”
“Section 16 further provides that ‘a CPCN expiring at the same time as a franchise shall be deemed to have been renewed for the same term if the franchise itself is also renewed or extended’,” Lagman said.
“Consequently, a CPCN automatically expires with the expiration of the franchise and no CPCN can be extended when the franchise has expired,” he added.
Lagman also noted that NTC’s 2006 Rules of Practice of Procedure which states that “when the application is predicated on a franchise… such franchise or contract shall be impleaded in the application by alleging in substance its salient provisions, appending to the application a copy of the same.”
“The franchise to be impleaded in the application with NTC must be a valid, existing and/or renewed franchise,” Lagman argued.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1229654/fwd-no-franchise-no-operation-solon-says-on-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal
In a statement, Lagman said such suggestion is a mere “illusory remedy,” since only holders of a valid, existing and/or renewed franchise can apply with the NTC for a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN).
“The NTC cannot on its own resurrect an expired legislative franchise by granting a former grantee a ‘provisional authority to operate’,” said Lagman, who was among those who filed a resolution pushing the lower chamber to hear ABS-CBN’s application for franchise renewal.
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano previously said that ABS-CBN may continue broadcasting if the NTC grants it a provisional authority to operate.
Cayetano said that the the House franchise panel may submit to the NTC a document supporting the provisional license for ABS-CBN.
Isabela Rep. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano, who serves as vice-chairperson of the House committee on legislative franchises, also said that ABS-CBN can still operate beyond the expiration of its franchise on March 30.
Cannot operate without franchise
Lagman claimed that rather than prescribing false cures for ABS-CBN, the House should just expedite the renewal of its franchise.
The opposition solon pointed out that such provisional authority from NTC “can be challenged in court because it is not validated by jurisprudence,” citing Section 16 of Republic Act No. 7925 or the Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines.
This provision states that “no person shall commence or conduct the business of being a public telecommunications entity without first obtaining a franchise.”
“Section 16 further provides that ‘a CPCN expiring at the same time as a franchise shall be deemed to have been renewed for the same term if the franchise itself is also renewed or extended’,” Lagman said.
“Consequently, a CPCN automatically expires with the expiration of the franchise and no CPCN can be extended when the franchise has expired,” he added.
Lagman also noted that NTC’s 2006 Rules of Practice of Procedure which states that “when the application is predicated on a franchise… such franchise or contract shall be impleaded in the application by alleging in substance its salient provisions, appending to the application a copy of the same.”
“The franchise to be impleaded in the application with NTC must be a valid, existing and/or renewed franchise,” Lagman argued.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1229654/fwd-no-franchise-no-operation-solon-says-on-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal
Lawmakers doubt NTC will let ABS-CBN run without new franchise
If an independent branch of government like Congress is scared of defying President Rodrigo Duterte on the matter of ABS-CBN’s franchise, how can the executive-controlled National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) be so brave?
Some lawmakers are questioning Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano’s logic in stating that the renewal of ABS-CBN’s expiring license is “not that urgent” since the NTC will grant the broadcast giant provisional authority to operate until 2022 anyway.
Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza dismissed the claim that the NTC would permit ABS-CBN to continue broadcasting beyond the expiration of its franchise in March, calling it a “pipe dream.”
“That is a fantasy,” said the congressman and father of ABS-CBN host Kim Atienza.
“The NTC will simply say we cannot possibly give you a provisional authority because the chief lawyer of the republic wants to shut you down,” Atienza said, referring to Solicitor General Jose Calida, who has filed a petition in the Supreme Court to revoke the media network’s license for violating the terms of its franchise and the Constitution.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said the idea of the NTC saving ABS-CBN from shutdown was an “illusory alternative remedy” that was far from a done deal.
Congressional break
ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise expires on March 30, and Congress goes on a break on March 11.
The House legislative franchises panel, which is supposed to deliberate on at least 10 bills extending ABS-CBN’s license, has not tabled the matter for discussions.
On Friday, Cayetano said the committee chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez might begin deliberating on the bills in May or after the State of the Nation Address in July.
He said there was consensus among House leaders that ABS-CBN should be able to operate upon the grant of an NTC provisional authority. He suggested that the House panel submit an official document supporting such.
‘Flimsy’ excuse
But Lagman said Cayetano’s excuse for dragging his foot on the ABS-CBN renewal bills was flimsy.
“The renewal of a franchise is the legal, proper and traditional course of action under the sole jurisdiction of the Congress,” the opposition congressman said in a statement on Saturday.
He said ABS-CBN was being given an illusory alternative remedy instead of being granted a justified renewal of its franchise.
Atienza said all 302 members of the House should be given the chance to vote on whether to extend ABS-CBN’s franchise.
Sen. Grace Poe urged fellow lawmakers to put in writing their support for ABS-CBN’s continued operations while its application for a fresh 25-year congressional franchise remained in limbo.
Poe, chair of the Senate public services committee, made the call on Sunday after several Congress leaders, including Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Speaker Cayetano, said last week that ABS-CBN may operate beyond the life of its legislative franchise on March 30 since it had already sought for an extension.
She said she was concerned for the media network’s 11,000 employees who would lose their jobs if the government denied its application, which President Duterte had repeatedly vowed to block. —Reports from DJ Yap and Marlon Ramos
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1229549/lawmakers-doubt-ntc-will-let-abs-cbn-run-without-new-franchise
Some lawmakers are questioning Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano’s logic in stating that the renewal of ABS-CBN’s expiring license is “not that urgent” since the NTC will grant the broadcast giant provisional authority to operate until 2022 anyway.
Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza dismissed the claim that the NTC would permit ABS-CBN to continue broadcasting beyond the expiration of its franchise in March, calling it a “pipe dream.”
“That is a fantasy,” said the congressman and father of ABS-CBN host Kim Atienza.
“The NTC will simply say we cannot possibly give you a provisional authority because the chief lawyer of the republic wants to shut you down,” Atienza said, referring to Solicitor General Jose Calida, who has filed a petition in the Supreme Court to revoke the media network’s license for violating the terms of its franchise and the Constitution.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said the idea of the NTC saving ABS-CBN from shutdown was an “illusory alternative remedy” that was far from a done deal.
Congressional break
ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise expires on March 30, and Congress goes on a break on March 11.
The House legislative franchises panel, which is supposed to deliberate on at least 10 bills extending ABS-CBN’s license, has not tabled the matter for discussions.
On Friday, Cayetano said the committee chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez might begin deliberating on the bills in May or after the State of the Nation Address in July.
He said there was consensus among House leaders that ABS-CBN should be able to operate upon the grant of an NTC provisional authority. He suggested that the House panel submit an official document supporting such.
‘Flimsy’ excuse
But Lagman said Cayetano’s excuse for dragging his foot on the ABS-CBN renewal bills was flimsy.
“The renewal of a franchise is the legal, proper and traditional course of action under the sole jurisdiction of the Congress,” the opposition congressman said in a statement on Saturday.
He said ABS-CBN was being given an illusory alternative remedy instead of being granted a justified renewal of its franchise.
Atienza said all 302 members of the House should be given the chance to vote on whether to extend ABS-CBN’s franchise.
Sen. Grace Poe urged fellow lawmakers to put in writing their support for ABS-CBN’s continued operations while its application for a fresh 25-year congressional franchise remained in limbo.
Poe, chair of the Senate public services committee, made the call on Sunday after several Congress leaders, including Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Speaker Cayetano, said last week that ABS-CBN may operate beyond the life of its legislative franchise on March 30 since it had already sought for an extension.
She said she was concerned for the media network’s 11,000 employees who would lose their jobs if the government denied its application, which President Duterte had repeatedly vowed to block. —Reports from DJ Yap and Marlon Ramos
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1229549/lawmakers-doubt-ntc-will-let-abs-cbn-run-without-new-franchise
Senator steps into ABS-CBN franchise bid
Senator Grace Poe on Sunday said Congress should put in writing that the franchise of media giant ABS-CBN can be extended until 2022 and inform the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) of its decision.
“That’s a courtesy that Congress gives to the NTC,” said Poe.
ABS-CBN’s franchise ends on March 30, but Congress is still deliberating whether or not to extend it, even as the administration, through Solicitor General Jose Calida, asked the Supreme Court to nullify the network’s permit to operate over its alleged violation of foreign ownership limits.
The move was widely seen as an attack on press freedom.
But Poe said stopping the operation of ABS-CBN was “no joke” since 11,000 jobs are at stake.
She urged her fellow lawmakers to ensure that the network be allowed to continue to operate while Congress is still deliberating on its franchise extension.
Poe earlier filed Senate Resolution No. 322 directing the Senate committee on public services to conduct an inquiry to determine ABS-CBN’s compliance to the terms of its franchise.
Several senators are supporting the resolution.
Poe said the hearings would aid the senators in making judgment when the franchise bill is transmitted to them for their deliberation.
The House of Representatives has yet to begin deliberations on the application. House leaders, however, said ABS-CBN could continue operating until 2022 or the end of the 18th Congress while its franchise is being discussed.
Poe said the Senate inquiry would focus on the network’s alleged violations. All parties will be given an opportunity to air their side for the public to know the real issue.
“Nothing is perfect. I have an open mind on that because many are applying for[a] franchise, nobody is perfect,” she said.
“No doubt ABS-CBN is giving services, but still, we need to weigh things-- do the services being given by ABS-CBN [enough so]... that its shortcomings can be set aside?” she said.
Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. on Sunday proposed the drafting of a joint concurrent resolution at the House of Representatives to urge the NTC to recognize precedent situations and maintain the “status quo” due to pending bills aimed at renewing the franchise of ABS-CBN Corp.
The resolution would “calm tensions while creating the space and time for solutions for the pending franchises of ABS-CBN Corp. and ABS-CBN Convergence,” he said in a statement.
He said the resolution would allow ABS-CBN to continue operating while the franchise bills are pending based on precedents.
“It will also assure the 11,000 workers at ABS-CBN that they still have jobs up until both Houses of Congress have decided on the matter with finality,” he said.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman earlier said Congress has the exclusive power to renew or revoke the franchise of ABS-CBN Corp.
At least 11 bills are still pending before the House of Representatives on the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.
https://manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/317522/senator-steps-into-abs-franchise-bid.html
“That’s a courtesy that Congress gives to the NTC,” said Poe.
ABS-CBN’s franchise ends on March 30, but Congress is still deliberating whether or not to extend it, even as the administration, through Solicitor General Jose Calida, asked the Supreme Court to nullify the network’s permit to operate over its alleged violation of foreign ownership limits.
The move was widely seen as an attack on press freedom.
But Poe said stopping the operation of ABS-CBN was “no joke” since 11,000 jobs are at stake.
She urged her fellow lawmakers to ensure that the network be allowed to continue to operate while Congress is still deliberating on its franchise extension.
Poe earlier filed Senate Resolution No. 322 directing the Senate committee on public services to conduct an inquiry to determine ABS-CBN’s compliance to the terms of its franchise.
Several senators are supporting the resolution.
Poe said the hearings would aid the senators in making judgment when the franchise bill is transmitted to them for their deliberation.
The House of Representatives has yet to begin deliberations on the application. House leaders, however, said ABS-CBN could continue operating until 2022 or the end of the 18th Congress while its franchise is being discussed.
Poe said the Senate inquiry would focus on the network’s alleged violations. All parties will be given an opportunity to air their side for the public to know the real issue.
“Nothing is perfect. I have an open mind on that because many are applying for[a] franchise, nobody is perfect,” she said.
“No doubt ABS-CBN is giving services, but still, we need to weigh things-- do the services being given by ABS-CBN [enough so]... that its shortcomings can be set aside?” she said.
Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. on Sunday proposed the drafting of a joint concurrent resolution at the House of Representatives to urge the NTC to recognize precedent situations and maintain the “status quo” due to pending bills aimed at renewing the franchise of ABS-CBN Corp.
The resolution would “calm tensions while creating the space and time for solutions for the pending franchises of ABS-CBN Corp. and ABS-CBN Convergence,” he said in a statement.
He said the resolution would allow ABS-CBN to continue operating while the franchise bills are pending based on precedents.
“It will also assure the 11,000 workers at ABS-CBN that they still have jobs up until both Houses of Congress have decided on the matter with finality,” he said.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman earlier said Congress has the exclusive power to renew or revoke the franchise of ABS-CBN Corp.
At least 11 bills are still pending before the House of Representatives on the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.
https://manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/317522/senator-steps-into-abs-franchise-bid.html
ABS-CBN shutdown a blow to economic diversity, investor confidence
The non-renewal of the franchise of local media giant ABS-CBN may get in the way of pursuing diversity in the economy and affect investor confidence in the country, said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia.
Sought for comment on threats to the renewal of the legislative franchise of the Lopez-led network, Pernia cited the wide-reaching public benefit from the operations of the network.
“A lot of people are benefitting. Congressmen and senators are benefiting from it, and even the masses,” Pernia told reporters, referring to the thousands of jobs created by the network as well as the role it plays in public discourse.
“So, yes, it’s a difficult thing. But it’s a political issue,” he added.
From an economic point of view, Pernia said that stopping the operations of the network by not renewing its franchise would get in the way of promoting diversity in the economy and fostering competition.
“The economist will always favor more diversity, more openness, progressive ideas,” said Pernia.
This will also have a negative effect on investor confidence as it is a direct government interference on a company that produces services desired by the public.
“I guess so (that it will affect investor confidence). Because investors realize that it’s very popular, it’s wanted by so many people,” he said.
As of last week, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises has still not scheduled hearings on the bills for the renewal of the network’s franchise.
Labor groups have called on Congress to renew the network’s franchise to save 11,000 jobs.
Media organizations, meanwhile, have denounced the threat of non-renewal as an attack on press freedom.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2020/02/17/1993669/abs-cbn-shutdown-blow-economic-diversity-investor-confidence
Sought for comment on threats to the renewal of the legislative franchise of the Lopez-led network, Pernia cited the wide-reaching public benefit from the operations of the network.
“A lot of people are benefitting. Congressmen and senators are benefiting from it, and even the masses,” Pernia told reporters, referring to the thousands of jobs created by the network as well as the role it plays in public discourse.
“So, yes, it’s a difficult thing. But it’s a political issue,” he added.
From an economic point of view, Pernia said that stopping the operations of the network by not renewing its franchise would get in the way of promoting diversity in the economy and fostering competition.
“The economist will always favor more diversity, more openness, progressive ideas,” said Pernia.
This will also have a negative effect on investor confidence as it is a direct government interference on a company that produces services desired by the public.
“I guess so (that it will affect investor confidence). Because investors realize that it’s very popular, it’s wanted by so many people,” he said.
As of last week, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises has still not scheduled hearings on the bills for the renewal of the network’s franchise.
Labor groups have called on Congress to renew the network’s franchise to save 11,000 jobs.
Media organizations, meanwhile, have denounced the threat of non-renewal as an attack on press freedom.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2020/02/17/1993669/abs-cbn-shutdown-blow-economic-diversity-investor-confidence
Lawmakers eye status quo for ABS-CBN
A congressman is proposing that Congress issue a joint resolution calling on the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to allow ABS-CBN Corp. to continue operations while its franchise is being renewed.
House Committee on Legislative Franchises member and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. made the proposal after Sen. Mary Grace Poe asked lawmakers to declare verbally or in writing that the media network could still operate even after its 25-year franchise expires on March 30.
Eleven bills seeking the network’s franchise renewal are pending at the House of Representatives. Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said last week the measures might be taken up in May, at the earliest, when session resumes after the Holy Week break.
Cayetano also mentioned in earlier interviews that the network might still operate until the end of the 18th Congress or in 2022.
Garbin said his proposal could “help calm tensions while creating the space and time for solutions for the pending franchises of ABS-CBN Corporation and ABS-CBN Convergence.”
A Joint Concurrent Resolution (JCR) “would give clarity and substance to the emerging consensus that ABS-CBN can continue to operate while the franchise bills are pending in the 18th Congress based on precedents,” he added.
Garbin said Congress could grant a JCR.
“It will also assure the 11,000 workers at ABS-CBN that they still have jobs up until both Houses of Congress have decided on the matter with finality,” he continued.
The JCR “would also be the assurance of Congress to the Filipino people that there will be no vacuum in freedom of expression, creativity and press freedom because of the expiration of the ABS-CBN franchises,” Garbin said.
Like Garbin, Poe wants the welfare of ABS-CBN workers protected by ensuring that the media giant would continue to operate while Congress is still deliberating on its franchise extension.
On Wednesday, Poe filed Senate Resolution 322 directing the Senate Committee on Public Services to conduct an inquiry to determine if ABS-CBN complied with the terms of its franchise.
“Despite their pronouncements that it can be extended until 2022, it would be better if it would be put in writing,” said Poe, chairman of the Senate Public Services panel.
“It is no joke to stop the operation of ABS-CBN because we know that 11,000 jobs will be affected,” she added.
Last week, Solicitor General Jose Calida petitioned the Supreme Court to strip ABS-CBN of its franchise.
He has defended his filing of the petition, saying the Supreme Court is the right venue for the case.
In an interview, Calida said it was clear in Rule 66, Section 7, of the Rules of Court that the high court had “concurrent jurisdiction” over a quo warranto case.
On the issue that the high court must remand the case to the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Regional Trial Court since the high court is not a trier of facts, Calida said the evidence he submitted would bear him out.
He added that the critics of the petition “should look first at the evidence presented.”
“Andun na ‘yung facts (The facts are there). We asked the different government agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission and the National Telecommunications Commission to provide us with the these documents,” he said.
In his petition, Calida alleged that ABS-CBN violated its legislative franchise. He attached documents from the SEC to prove that ABS-CBN sold Philippine Depositary Receipts to non-Filipino entities.
Media entities must be 100 percent Filipino-owned.
ABS-CBN also offered pay-per-view channels, which were supposed to be used for free by the public, Calida argued. DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ, BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO AND JOMAR CANLAS
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/02/17/news/top-stories/lawmakers-eye-status-quo-for-abs-cbn/686521/
House Committee on Legislative Franchises member and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. made the proposal after Sen. Mary Grace Poe asked lawmakers to declare verbally or in writing that the media network could still operate even after its 25-year franchise expires on March 30.
Eleven bills seeking the network’s franchise renewal are pending at the House of Representatives. Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said last week the measures might be taken up in May, at the earliest, when session resumes after the Holy Week break.
Cayetano also mentioned in earlier interviews that the network might still operate until the end of the 18th Congress or in 2022.
Garbin said his proposal could “help calm tensions while creating the space and time for solutions for the pending franchises of ABS-CBN Corporation and ABS-CBN Convergence.”
A Joint Concurrent Resolution (JCR) “would give clarity and substance to the emerging consensus that ABS-CBN can continue to operate while the franchise bills are pending in the 18th Congress based on precedents,” he added.
Garbin said Congress could grant a JCR.
“It will also assure the 11,000 workers at ABS-CBN that they still have jobs up until both Houses of Congress have decided on the matter with finality,” he continued.
The JCR “would also be the assurance of Congress to the Filipino people that there will be no vacuum in freedom of expression, creativity and press freedom because of the expiration of the ABS-CBN franchises,” Garbin said.
Like Garbin, Poe wants the welfare of ABS-CBN workers protected by ensuring that the media giant would continue to operate while Congress is still deliberating on its franchise extension.
On Wednesday, Poe filed Senate Resolution 322 directing the Senate Committee on Public Services to conduct an inquiry to determine if ABS-CBN complied with the terms of its franchise.
“Despite their pronouncements that it can be extended until 2022, it would be better if it would be put in writing,” said Poe, chairman of the Senate Public Services panel.
“It is no joke to stop the operation of ABS-CBN because we know that 11,000 jobs will be affected,” she added.
Last week, Solicitor General Jose Calida petitioned the Supreme Court to strip ABS-CBN of its franchise.
He has defended his filing of the petition, saying the Supreme Court is the right venue for the case.
In an interview, Calida said it was clear in Rule 66, Section 7, of the Rules of Court that the high court had “concurrent jurisdiction” over a quo warranto case.
On the issue that the high court must remand the case to the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Regional Trial Court since the high court is not a trier of facts, Calida said the evidence he submitted would bear him out.
He added that the critics of the petition “should look first at the evidence presented.”
“Andun na ‘yung facts (The facts are there). We asked the different government agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission and the National Telecommunications Commission to provide us with the these documents,” he said.
In his petition, Calida alleged that ABS-CBN violated its legislative franchise. He attached documents from the SEC to prove that ABS-CBN sold Philippine Depositary Receipts to non-Filipino entities.
Media entities must be 100 percent Filipino-owned.
ABS-CBN also offered pay-per-view channels, which were supposed to be used for free by the public, Calida argued. DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ, BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO AND JOMAR CANLAS
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/02/17/news/top-stories/lawmakers-eye-status-quo-for-abs-cbn/686521/
Plea aired on full House debate on ABS-CBN
CITIZEN groups on Sunday urged lawmakers to consider the 11,000 regular and contractual employees of the ABS-CBN as the leadership of the House of Representatives vowed to do an impartial job in considering bills seeking to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise.
Also on Sunday, a leading lawmaker sought a full debate by all 300-plus members of the House on ABS-CBN’s case.
Bantay Konsyumer, Kuryente, Kalsada (BK3); CitizenWatch Philippines (CWP) and Democracy Watch Philippines (DWP) made statements amid what is widely seen as the administration’s crackdown on network giant ABS-CBN.
BK3, through Lead Convenor Louie Montemar, said the revocation of the franchise would lead to a loss of jobs for ABS-CBN’s 6,730 regular employees—a threat not just to the workers but their entire families, who are all consumers.
CWP convenor Orlando Oxales placed the number of potentially unemployed to 11,000, to include regular and other workers of the network.
Oxales said this would threaten to widen anew the rate of adult joblessness in the country, which had already improved to 17.5 percent in December 2019 from 21.5 percent the previous September.
“Are we this shallow in making decisions?” Montemar said. “Must we trifle with the jobs of the many just because of a personal grudge?” he asked, in apparent reference to President Duterte’s oft-repeated remarks that he will block the franchise of the network even if Congress decides to renew it after its expiration on March 30.
Meanwhile, BK3’s Montemar said investors will have no certainty in doing business here in the Philippines, because regulations can change depending on the whim of the incumbent.
Also, Oxales assailed the usurpation of Congress’s mandate to grant or reject franchises because of the filing by the Office of the Solicitor General last week of a quo warranto petition blocking ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal, citing the network’s alleged viiolation of its franchise.
Eleven bills pending at the House Committee on Legislative Franchises are seeking its renewal.
Moreover, the organizations called upon legislators to exercise their power to renew franchises, to defend the right to a free media and to stand up for their constituents’ right to be truthfully informed.
The groups also assailed Solicitor General Jose Calida’s quo warranto petition against the giant network, saying it threatens the livelihood of thousands of families/ consumers.
While Calida has denied the hand of the President in his move, Duterte has, on several occasions, attacked ABS-CBN, supposedly for not airing his political advertisements during the 2016 campaign.
Open debate—Atienza
Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza said on Sunday said all 302 members of the House should be given the chance to vote on the bill seeking to extend ABS-CBN Corp.’s franchise by another 25 years.
“The entire House should openly debate on the bill, and then vote on it. This will allow every member to be heard, and to freely decide on the franchise,” said Atienza.
“We cannot just wash our hands of the bill. That would be tantamount to Congress renouncing its exclusive power to grant legislative franchises,” he added.
Atienza also rejected as a “pipedream” the claim of some of his colleagues that even without a renewed franchise, ABS-CBN could still operate until March 2022 by obtaining a two-year provisional authority from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
“That is a fantasy. The NTC will simply say we cannot possibly give you a provisional authority because the Chief Lawyer of the republic wants to shut you down,” Atienza said, referring to Calida’s petition before the Supreme Court.
Earlier, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano urged critics and supporters of ABS-CBN to send to the lower chamber their position papers and comments on the proposed renewal of the radio-television network’s broadcasting franchise.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/02/17/plea-aired-on-full-house-debate-on-abs-cbn/
Also on Sunday, a leading lawmaker sought a full debate by all 300-plus members of the House on ABS-CBN’s case.
Bantay Konsyumer, Kuryente, Kalsada (BK3); CitizenWatch Philippines (CWP) and Democracy Watch Philippines (DWP) made statements amid what is widely seen as the administration’s crackdown on network giant ABS-CBN.
BK3, through Lead Convenor Louie Montemar, said the revocation of the franchise would lead to a loss of jobs for ABS-CBN’s 6,730 regular employees—a threat not just to the workers but their entire families, who are all consumers.
CWP convenor Orlando Oxales placed the number of potentially unemployed to 11,000, to include regular and other workers of the network.
Oxales said this would threaten to widen anew the rate of adult joblessness in the country, which had already improved to 17.5 percent in December 2019 from 21.5 percent the previous September.
“Are we this shallow in making decisions?” Montemar said. “Must we trifle with the jobs of the many just because of a personal grudge?” he asked, in apparent reference to President Duterte’s oft-repeated remarks that he will block the franchise of the network even if Congress decides to renew it after its expiration on March 30.
Meanwhile, BK3’s Montemar said investors will have no certainty in doing business here in the Philippines, because regulations can change depending on the whim of the incumbent.
Also, Oxales assailed the usurpation of Congress’s mandate to grant or reject franchises because of the filing by the Office of the Solicitor General last week of a quo warranto petition blocking ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal, citing the network’s alleged viiolation of its franchise.
Eleven bills pending at the House Committee on Legislative Franchises are seeking its renewal.
Moreover, the organizations called upon legislators to exercise their power to renew franchises, to defend the right to a free media and to stand up for their constituents’ right to be truthfully informed.
The groups also assailed Solicitor General Jose Calida’s quo warranto petition against the giant network, saying it threatens the livelihood of thousands of families/ consumers.
While Calida has denied the hand of the President in his move, Duterte has, on several occasions, attacked ABS-CBN, supposedly for not airing his political advertisements during the 2016 campaign.
Open debate—Atienza
Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza said on Sunday said all 302 members of the House should be given the chance to vote on the bill seeking to extend ABS-CBN Corp.’s franchise by another 25 years.
“The entire House should openly debate on the bill, and then vote on it. This will allow every member to be heard, and to freely decide on the franchise,” said Atienza.
“We cannot just wash our hands of the bill. That would be tantamount to Congress renouncing its exclusive power to grant legislative franchises,” he added.
Atienza also rejected as a “pipedream” the claim of some of his colleagues that even without a renewed franchise, ABS-CBN could still operate until March 2022 by obtaining a two-year provisional authority from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
“That is a fantasy. The NTC will simply say we cannot possibly give you a provisional authority because the Chief Lawyer of the republic wants to shut you down,” Atienza said, referring to Calida’s petition before the Supreme Court.
Earlier, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano urged critics and supporters of ABS-CBN to send to the lower chamber their position papers and comments on the proposed renewal of the radio-television network’s broadcasting franchise.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/02/17/plea-aired-on-full-house-debate-on-abs-cbn/
ABS-CBN franchise renewal to bug its shares
The development on the at-risk franchise renewal of media giant ABS-CBN Corp. will dictate the movement of its shares this week.
Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a quo warranto against the media company before the Supreme Court last February 10 for allegedly violating rules outlined by the Congress.
This was not the first time ABS-CBN dealt with tirades from the government. President Rodrigo Duterte has been firing shots against the media firm for not allegedly airing his paid advertisement during the 2016 campaign season.
Should Calida succeed in nullifying ABS-CBN’s license, the Palace said that the media giant can still apply for a new franchise. Its current franchise is set to expire on Mar. 30, 2020.
“We should monitor the steps that the government is going to take in relation to ABS-CBN. Any threats coming from the government could again tilt sentiment to the downside,” Philstocks Financial Inc. senior research analyst Japhet Tantiangco said.
On the day the petition was filed, ABS-CBN shares dropped 30 centavos or 1.76 percent to finish at P16.70 apiece.
The media giant’s stocks, however, was able to recover some ground on the following days, ending the week with 1.42-percent uptick at P17.14 on Friday from the previous trading day. “This shows that investors are still hopeful with the franchise renewal of the broadcast network,” he said.
Year-to-date, ABS-CBN shares have grown 9.17 percent.
With ABS-CBN shares recently rising, Tantiangco added that there was “upward bias as hope builds up for the firm with respect to its franchise.”
Tantiangco sees the shares of the Lopez-led media firm trading within P16.40 to P18 range this week.
Timson Securities trader Darren Pangan, meanwhile, shared the same sentiment: “Its share performance [this] week may depend on how the developments in congress take place.”
Last week, Pangan said that ABS-CBN shares “did not move very much” because investors might already “priced in the events that have transpired the past few days.”
“We have to observe if support at P17 holds, and if it does hold, then whether or not it breaks the P17.50 area,” he added.
In a statement, ABS-CBN said that the allegations by Calida had no merit. “ABS-CBN complies with all pertinent laws governing its franchise and has secured all necessary government and regulatory approvals for its business operations,” it added.
ABS-CBN saw its consolidated net income rose by 53 percent to P2.27 billion in the first nine months of 2019 from P1.48 billion the year earlier on the back of robust revenue growth.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/02/17/business/stock-watch/abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-to-bug-its-shares/686487/
Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a quo warranto against the media company before the Supreme Court last February 10 for allegedly violating rules outlined by the Congress.
This was not the first time ABS-CBN dealt with tirades from the government. President Rodrigo Duterte has been firing shots against the media firm for not allegedly airing his paid advertisement during the 2016 campaign season.
Should Calida succeed in nullifying ABS-CBN’s license, the Palace said that the media giant can still apply for a new franchise. Its current franchise is set to expire on Mar. 30, 2020.
“We should monitor the steps that the government is going to take in relation to ABS-CBN. Any threats coming from the government could again tilt sentiment to the downside,” Philstocks Financial Inc. senior research analyst Japhet Tantiangco said.
On the day the petition was filed, ABS-CBN shares dropped 30 centavos or 1.76 percent to finish at P16.70 apiece.
The media giant’s stocks, however, was able to recover some ground on the following days, ending the week with 1.42-percent uptick at P17.14 on Friday from the previous trading day. “This shows that investors are still hopeful with the franchise renewal of the broadcast network,” he said.
Year-to-date, ABS-CBN shares have grown 9.17 percent.
With ABS-CBN shares recently rising, Tantiangco added that there was “upward bias as hope builds up for the firm with respect to its franchise.”
Tantiangco sees the shares of the Lopez-led media firm trading within P16.40 to P18 range this week.
Timson Securities trader Darren Pangan, meanwhile, shared the same sentiment: “Its share performance [this] week may depend on how the developments in congress take place.”
Last week, Pangan said that ABS-CBN shares “did not move very much” because investors might already “priced in the events that have transpired the past few days.”
“We have to observe if support at P17 holds, and if it does hold, then whether or not it breaks the P17.50 area,” he added.
In a statement, ABS-CBN said that the allegations by Calida had no merit. “ABS-CBN complies with all pertinent laws governing its franchise and has secured all necessary government and regulatory approvals for its business operations,” it added.
ABS-CBN saw its consolidated net income rose by 53 percent to P2.27 billion in the first nine months of 2019 from P1.48 billion the year earlier on the back of robust revenue growth.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/02/17/business/stock-watch/abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-to-bug-its-shares/686487/
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