Isko will sign Congress-approved ABS-CBN franchise if elected president

Presidential aspirant Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso said he will not block the operation of ABS-CBN if its franchise application passes Congress.

"I made it clear: rule of law. If Congress gives you such privilege and approves it, I will sign it," the former actor said on Wednesday as he officially declared his 2022 plans.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who has repeatedly accused ABS-CBN of not paying taxes despite the allegation being refuted by government agencies, earlier threatened to block the broadcaster's operations even if it gets a franchise.

The media giant went off the air on May 5, 2020, for the first time since the martial law regime of late President Ferdinand Marcos to comply with the National Telecommunications Commission's order. It was officially shut down on July 10, after the House Committee on Legislative Franchises denied its application for a fresh 25-year franchise.

https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/9/22/Isko-Moreno-ABS-CBN-franchise.html

Honey Lacuna, Yul Servo to run for Manila mayor, vice mayor as Isko guns for presidency

Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna on Wednesday confirmed that she would be running for mayor of the capital city, with Manila 3rd District Rep. Yul Servo Nieto as her vice mayor.

Lacuna gave the statement to ABS-CBN News on the sidelines of the launch of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso's presidential bid in Baseco, Manila.

"Alam kong kayang-kaya niya ipagpatuloy ang mga nasimulan na natin sa bayan na ito," Domagoso said of Lacuna in his speech.

(I know that she can continue what we started in the city.)

Lacuna is the daughter of the late Manila Vice Mayor Danny Lacuna, who served as Domagoso's mentor when the former actor started in politics as councilor in the capital.

When asked why he will not run for reelection as lawmaker, Servo told ABS-CBN News: "'Yun ang napagkasunduan ng partido."

(That was what was decided by the party.)

Servo, Manila's 3rd district representative, is eligible for another term in the House.

He is also a part of Domagoso and Lacuna's local party Asenso Manileño.

It was also the incumbent Manila Mayor who encouraged Servo, a fellow actor, to join public service.

Servo said Manila City Council Majority Leader Joel Chua is expected to run for the House position he will vacate.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/22/21/honey-lacuna-yul-servo-to-run-for-manila-mayor-vice-mayor

House ratifies bill postponing Bangsamoro election until 2025

The House of Representatives on Tuesday ratified House Bill 10121 which seeks to postpone the first regular election of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) until 2025.

The chamber gave its formal approval for the bicameral conference committee report on the disagreeing provisions of the House and Senate versions of the bill.

Once the Senate ratifies its version, the bill will be enrolled and transmitted for the President’s signature.

Lawmakers last week approved HB 10121, which would amend the Bangsamoro Organic Law's provision that sets the region's first election in 2022. 

This, after President Rodrigo Duterte certified the bill as urgent.

According to its Congressional fact sheet, the bill will grant the president the power to appoint 80 members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), who will serve up to June 30, 2025, when the incumbent members' terms expire on June 30, 2022.

The current BTA, sitting as the region's parliament, has yet to enact its own electoral code, a crucial document needed to govern the supposed elections in May 2022. 

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim earlier vowed to finalize its electoral code in the first quarter of 2021, but the document has yet to materialize 8 months away from the May 2022 polls.

The BTA lobbied to postpone the elections, citing disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but other groups in the region are opposing the move.

— Report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/22/21/house-ratifies-bill-postponing-bangsamoro-election-until-2025