Kris Aquino pays tribute to former ABS-CBN co-workers amid franchise challenge

Former ABS-CBN host and actress Kris Aquino paid tribute to her co-workers during her nearly two-decade stay with the network, amid challenges to its broadcast franchise renewal.

On her social media pages, Aquino shared clips from her various programs with the Kapamilya network, from ‘90s talk show “Today with Kris Aquino” to the lifestyle reality series “Kris TV”.

Aquino, who parted ways with ABS-CBN in 2016, wrote on Monday: “Unfortunately, we don’t get to choose how a relationship ends, but I have learned, we do have a say in what memories we choose to keep.”

part 1 of 2. pic.twitter.com/xTZjx0E6pN

— Kris Aquino (@krisaquino214) March 2, 2020

“May prayers and good wishes are with the marshalls, crew, cameramen, technical staff, production assistants and personnel, writers, creative teams, and everyone I had the privilege of working with and learning from during my almost 20 years as a Kapamilya,” she said.

Aquino’s message came amid uncertainties surrounding the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, putting at risk some 11,000 jobs across the network’s companies.

“I am only expressing sincere, heartfelt thanks for what shall forever be an unforgettable period, where my personal and professional lives seamlessly intersected,” Aquino said.

“Both my sons went from crawling to running while celebrating our many milestones on ABS-CBN,” she added, referring to Josh, now 24, and Bimby, now 12.

part 2 of 2 #lovelovelove pic.twitter.com/Um7PuPAF4l

— Kris Aquino (@krisaquino214) March 2, 2020

Through her talk shows on ABS-CBN, Aquino’s personal life also unfolded before the public eye, from her failed romances, to her children’s achievements.

After leaving ABS-CBN, Aquino launched her own digital series, where she similarly gives followers a look into her personal life.

“Now it is part of my growth as an individual, to set myself free of anticipated moves and labels; everyday learning to hold on to only what had been good, letting go what wasn’t, and nurturing an optimistic heart full of love, hope, and gratitude,” she said.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/03/02/20/kris-aquino-pays-tribute-to-former-abs-cbn-co-workers-amid-franchise-challenge

Five more senators move to extend ABS-CBN franchise

By Charmaine A. Tadalan, Reporter

FIVE more senators moved to extend the validity of the ABS-CBN franchise until 2022, while its renewal remains pending in the 18th Congress.

Senators Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, Sherwin T. Gatchalian, Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva, Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay and Juan Edgardo M. Angara will be filing a concurrent resolution allowing the network to operate until the final determination of its franchise.

Before this, Senator Franklin M. Drilon filed Concurrent Resolution No. 6, which carried the same proposal; while Senator Ramon B. Revilla, Jr. filed Senate Bill No. 1374 to extend the franchise until 2020.

“The removal of a market leader such as ABS-CBN would have a significant impact, not only on competition within the broadcasting industry, but also on the economy as a whole,” the draft concurrent resolution, shared among reporters, read in part.

The Senators are concerned about the 11,000 direct employees at risk of being displaced if the media network halts its operations, when its franchise expires on May 4.

In previous cases, Congress did not need to pass a concurrent resolution to allow the extended operation of franchise holders, whose franchise already lapsed.

Case in point is the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, which operated until 2019, despite its franchise’s expiration in 2017.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), upon the advise of the Department of Justice, asked Congress to pass the concurrent resolution mandating it to provide a provisional authority to ABS-CBN.

The NTC argued it was necessary considering the objection the network was facing, which include a quo warranto petition filed by the Office of the Solicitor General.

Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, for his part, maintained the chamber should discuss first the concurrent resolution. He previously said it was not necessary, considering it was not required in the cases of CBCP, Smart Communications, Inc. and Globe Telecom, Inc.

In a chance interview, Mr. Sotto said he would rather discuss the matter with the rest of lawmakers before he comes up with his “perspective.” He said delicadeza dictates he should not react yet.

Separately, Speaker Alan Peter S. Cayetano denied that the House of Representatives, under his leadership was delaying the deliberation of the ABS-CBN franchise renewal.

He said he could not answer for the delay in the 16th and 17th Congress since was not part of it, but during his time, he said the deliberation was not delayed because when he gained his seat in July, he stated that the focus should be on the national budget.

He also said that the delay resulted from other concerns that hit the country since January, such as the Taal volcanic eruption and the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak.

“That’s why I keep saying napaka-importante ng franchise ng ABS, pero hindi ito urgent, because hindi naman mag-o-off the air ang ABS-CBN. So, konting understanding ang hinihingi namin,” he said.

(That’s why I keep saying ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal is very important, but it’s not urgent since the network will not go off the air. So, we are asking for some understanding.)

The House committee on legislative franchises began discussing the ABS-CBN franchise bill only on Feb. 24, the same day the Senate opened its inquiry on the allegations against the network. — with Genshen L. Espedido

https://www.bworldonline.com/five-more-senators-move-to-extend-abs-cbn-franchise/

House OKs on 2nd reading 3 franchise bills

The House of Representatives approved on second reading 3 franchise bills as it continued not to act on the franchise application of ABS-CBN Corporation, with 5 session days to go before it goes on a nearly 2-month break.

Approved in separate viva voce votes were the franchise renewals of FBS Radio Network Inc., Century Communications Marketing Center Inc., and Bayan Telecommunications Inc.

FBS Radio Network owns Mellow 947, DWBL 1242 and DWSS 1494, while Century Broadcasting Network is a radio network with FM stations in different provinces.

ABS-CBN's franchise expires on May 4. House Speaker Alan peter Cayetano earlier said the House might tackle the franchise bills that month or after President Rodrigo Duterte's State of the Nation Address in July.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/02/20/house-oks-on-2nd-reading-3-franchise-bills