Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Group of lawmakers seeks quick renewal of ABS-CBN franchise
As the House leadership bides its time in dealing with the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, a multipartisan group of lawmakers has pledged support for expediting the approval of nine pending bills extending the media giant’s license.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman on Monday filed a House resolution urging the House legislative franchises committee to “report out without further delay for plenary action” a consolidated version of the bills seeking the renewal of ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise, which expires on March 30.
At least 10 lawmakers from both the majority and the minority have signified their intention to coauthor the measure “as a show of multipartisan support in upholding the freedom of the press,” the congressman said.
Lagman said they were Deputy Speaker Johnny Pimentel and Representatives Micaela Violago, Joy Myra Tambunting, Doy Leachon, Josy Limkaichong, Emmanuel Billones, Jose Christopher Belmonte, France Castro, Carlos Zarate, and Eufemia Cullamat.
The resolution appealed to the House leadership to uphold and respect the freedom of the press by “requiring” the House panel chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez “to act immediately” on the ABS-CBN renewal bills.
Lagman cited the Supreme Court decision in Chavez vs Gonzales and National Telecommunication Commission (NTC), which found that warnings of then Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales and the NTC for radio and TV media not to broadcast the “Hello Garci tapes” under the pain of revocation of their license to have “chilling effect” on press freedom and constituted “unconstitutional prior restraint on the exercise of freedom of speech and of the press.”
The Garci tapes referred to purported audiotaped recordings of wiretapped phone conversations between then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former election commissioner Virgilio Garcillano about rigging the 2004 elections.
Lagman argued that the repeated threats by President Duterte against the renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN due to his personal grievances against the network giant “constitute prior restraint on press freedom in the light of the Chavez ruling.”
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1209792/group-of-lawmakers-seeks-quick-renewal-of-abs-cbn-franchise
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman on Monday filed a House resolution urging the House legislative franchises committee to “report out without further delay for plenary action” a consolidated version of the bills seeking the renewal of ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise, which expires on March 30.
At least 10 lawmakers from both the majority and the minority have signified their intention to coauthor the measure “as a show of multipartisan support in upholding the freedom of the press,” the congressman said.
Lagman said they were Deputy Speaker Johnny Pimentel and Representatives Micaela Violago, Joy Myra Tambunting, Doy Leachon, Josy Limkaichong, Emmanuel Billones, Jose Christopher Belmonte, France Castro, Carlos Zarate, and Eufemia Cullamat.
The resolution appealed to the House leadership to uphold and respect the freedom of the press by “requiring” the House panel chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez “to act immediately” on the ABS-CBN renewal bills.
Lagman cited the Supreme Court decision in Chavez vs Gonzales and National Telecommunication Commission (NTC), which found that warnings of then Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales and the NTC for radio and TV media not to broadcast the “Hello Garci tapes” under the pain of revocation of their license to have “chilling effect” on press freedom and constituted “unconstitutional prior restraint on the exercise of freedom of speech and of the press.”
The Garci tapes referred to purported audiotaped recordings of wiretapped phone conversations between then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former election commissioner Virgilio Garcillano about rigging the 2004 elections.
Lagman argued that the repeated threats by President Duterte against the renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN due to his personal grievances against the network giant “constitute prior restraint on press freedom in the light of the Chavez ruling.”
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1209792/group-of-lawmakers-seeks-quick-renewal-of-abs-cbn-franchise
Duterte signs P4.1-trillion 2020 budget into law
President Rodrigo Duterte has urged for the wise spending of the P4.1 trillion national budget for this year, which he signed at the MalacaƱang on Monday.
In a speech during the signing ceremony, President Duterte said that the budget, which is 11.8 percent more than last year’s P3.662 trillion budget, should not be used in corruption.
“The passage of the 2020 General Appropriations Act has proved the invaluable help of both houses of Congress. this government can effectively walk together with the enactment of key legislative measures that will support our development agenda in the next 2 and a half years,” Duterte said.
Duterte also lauded lawmakers for supporting this administration’s sound fiscal policies through the continued adoption of the cash-budgeting system and the full implementation of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program.
“Together, let us ensure every peso in the budget will never be used to support the selfish greed of the few, but spent exclusively for the benefit and the service of Filipino taxpayers,” Duterte said.
The highest allocation for the 2020 budget was given to the education sector at P673 billion followed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (P534.3 billion), Department of the Interior and Local Government (P238 billion), Department of Social Welfare and Development (P195 billion), Department of National Defense (P189 billion).
The Department of Health (P166.5 billion), Department of Transportation (P147 billion), Department of Agriculture (56.8 billion), The Judiciary (P38.7 billion), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (P26.4 billion) remians a priority for the Duterte administration’s 2020 budget.
https://www.panaynews.net/duterte-signs-p4-1-trillion-2020-budget-into-law/
In a speech during the signing ceremony, President Duterte said that the budget, which is 11.8 percent more than last year’s P3.662 trillion budget, should not be used in corruption.
“The passage of the 2020 General Appropriations Act has proved the invaluable help of both houses of Congress. this government can effectively walk together with the enactment of key legislative measures that will support our development agenda in the next 2 and a half years,” Duterte said.
Duterte also lauded lawmakers for supporting this administration’s sound fiscal policies through the continued adoption of the cash-budgeting system and the full implementation of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program.
“Together, let us ensure every peso in the budget will never be used to support the selfish greed of the few, but spent exclusively for the benefit and the service of Filipino taxpayers,” Duterte said.
The highest allocation for the 2020 budget was given to the education sector at P673 billion followed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (P534.3 billion), Department of the Interior and Local Government (P238 billion), Department of Social Welfare and Development (P195 billion), Department of National Defense (P189 billion).
The Department of Health (P166.5 billion), Department of Transportation (P147 billion), Department of Agriculture (56.8 billion), The Judiciary (P38.7 billion), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (P26.4 billion) remians a priority for the Duterte administration’s 2020 budget.
https://www.panaynews.net/duterte-signs-p4-1-trillion-2020-budget-into-law/
Mga mambabatas nagkaisa: ABS-CBN franchise renewal madaliin!
11 mambabatas sa iba’t ibang partido ang nagkaisa sa panawagan na aksiyonan na ng House legislative franchises committee ang franchise renewal ng ABS-CBN.
Pinangunahan ni Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman ang grupo ng mga mambabatas na naghain ng House Resolution 639 na aksiyonan ang consolidated version ng walong nakabinbin na panukala tungkol sa 25-taong prangkisa ng ABS-CBN na magtatapos na sa 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,” ayon sa panukala.
Pinangunahan ni Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman ang grupo ng mga mambabatas na naghain ng House Resolution 639 na aksiyonan ang consolidated version ng walong nakabinbin na panukala tungkol sa 25-taong prangkisa ng ABS-CBN na magtatapos na sa 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,” ayon sa panukala.
Ang mga kasamang naghain ng resolusyon ay sina Deputy Speaker Johnny Pimentel, mga Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate at Eufemia Cullamat, ACT-Teachers Rep. France Castro, Nueva Ecija Rep. Micaela Violago, ParaƱaque Rep. Joy Myra Tambunting, Oriental Mindoro Rep. Doy Leachon, Negros Oriental Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong, Capiz Rep. Emmanuel Billones, at Quezon City Rep. Kit Belmonte.
Mayroon na lamang 24 natitirang regular session ang Kongreso sa pagpapatuloy nito sa Enero 20 bago ito mag-adjourn muli para sa Holy Week simula Marso 14.
Matatandaan na minungkahi ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na ibenta na lang ng mga Lopez ang Kapamilya network dahil hindi niya umano papalusutin ang franchise renewal nito, matapos hindi umano pinalabas ng ABS-CBN ang kanyang mga campaign ads noong 2016.
Lagman files resolution urging ABS-CBN franchise renewal
Veteran opposition Rep. Edcel Lagman yesterday 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 Corp.
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 Duterte’s repeated threats to reject it “constitute prior restraint on press freedom.
The Albay solon cited the Supreme Court ruling in Chavez vs. Gonzales and National Telecommunications Commission that upheld the position of the late Solicitor General 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 House membership belongs to the pro-Duterte majority, Lagman is banking on bipartisan support for ABS-CBN’s cause. (Ben Rosario)
http://tempo.com.ph/2020/01/06/lagman-files-resolution-urging-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal/
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 Duterte’s repeated threats to reject it “constitute prior restraint on press freedom.
The Albay solon cited the Supreme Court ruling in Chavez vs. Gonzales and National Telecommunications Commission that upheld the position of the late Solicitor General 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 House membership belongs to the pro-Duterte majority, Lagman is banking on bipartisan support for ABS-CBN’s cause. (Ben Rosario)
http://tempo.com.ph/2020/01/06/lagman-files-resolution-urging-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal/
Biggest political party
TO be quoted as saying it is the biggest political party in the country and be banned by its senior vice president for news and current affairs, Ging Reyes, is truly freedom of expression. It is not hyperbole. ABS-CBN is the biggest political party in the country because it can make and unmake a candidate. But I am going ahead of my personal story with a network whose franchise is set to end in March 2020.
That media should take a stand is the defense made by some. Media is not neutral as others would insist. Bad news sells and the rest is history, as some would put it. Nothing to do with ownership or writing off humongous loans by a government bank. Even the plan to go digital if the franchise is not extended shows how ABS-CBN plays its cards. It has been on overdrive when it comes to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and some people have decided to move their donations to more neutral entities than ABS-CBN. Fair because ABS-CBN has played the game of politics well. The heat radar in this network is so high that during campaigns or any political event, they are always the trump card for some groups out to sow intrigues, chaos and the like. In the same vein they know which lever to use when it comes to sporting, beauty and religious events. ABS-CBN has always been there, in the service of the Filipino, as they say. And that is why it is the number one TV station in the country, while GMA 7 is strong in Metro Manila and some key markets.
After the 2004 elections, ABS-CBN would often invite me to talk about almost anything under the sun. Even though sometimes I resist, the better part of those years were essentially accepting the invites in order to educate in interpreting events, policies and programs. Connecting dots and ensuring that the right interpretations are made was the driving force to accept being interviewed in a TV channel that wants sound bites all the way. The exposure trained me to think in terms of seven seconds and to break complex ideas and references to basic, understandable pieces. It is not easy because there are hosts who do not understand the topic, do not know how to ask questions and are not prepared to engage in a discussion. But those are few and far between. There are hosts that are really good, very professional, and you will see from the flow of the interview who these are.
After a while, you learn to prepare based on the background and track record of the host. Others just wing it saying it’s a waste of time to study and be edited out. I took the other road: prepare and engage. In the end, the people watching or listening gets educated. That has been the way it was. The same person once intimated to a colleague that “we made her,” in reference to my interviews with them. I would always say it takes two to tango and if a guest made no preparation and just winged it, I doubt very much if they would bother inviting a subject matter expert again.
In one of the interviews during election, I stated, on record, the power of media in determining the outcome of a national election. I was laying down the facts. And I concluded that ABS-CBN could prime a candidate, positive or negative, by the frequency of exposures, length of exposures, mentions whether name, tagline, jingle or even just banters. Imagine loading up TVCs or television commercials on prime time in both TV and radio? Imagine giving out discounts to preferred candidates? Imagine negotiating for combo packages? And imagine a situation where you raise money to pay as you go? In ABS-CBN, it’s pay before airing and sometimes you have paid but your materials are not airing since it turns out they have bundled certain spots for certain candidates. So, you wait for your materials to break after a long queue of opponents and party mates. If you are not well connected, you don’t get immediate action on your buys. If your agency is a small, boutique one, you again wait until the big players have chosen the prime spots; they even get to reserve spots and pay ahead even if the materials are still being produced. Money plays in big leagues. Money opens doors. Money ensures political viability of a candidate. TV is big money.
If Iglesia ni Cristo is the swing vote, ABS-CBN is the gatekeeper of sorts. The 90-day campaign period is defined by ABS-CBN. The other networks came into the picture with the first presidential, vice presidential formal debates. But the load of TVCs went to ABS-CBN by sheer power of viewership. In a presidential election year, the slip of ABS-CBN is for everyone to see, from coverage to news to lifestyle interviews and replays in all their platforms.
When a candidate is at the end, from ranks 10 to 15, or when three candidates are fighting it out for the top slot, without a national organization, play will be for loaded TVCs and that will be the kicker to close and hotly contested race. There are several proofs of the “power” of ABS-CBN being the biggest political party in the country but the latest proof is Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid. He was in “Ang Probinsyano,” the longest running telenovela of the network. He was in the show two years prior to the filing of certificates of candidacy in October 2018. “Ang Probinsyano” is the most watched television show in the country, fetching an all-time highest rating of 47.2 percent on Oct. 4, 2018, according to Kantar Media. Lapid even broke into the Top 3 in pre-election surveys. Never speaking during the campaign, Lapid just went around waving in key vote-rich areas. And then the “Ang Probinsyano” party-list had two groups with one getting the public nod.
So, we go back to the requirement of a franchise before a TV network can operate. The franchise is a privilege and not a right. Spectrum, after all, is owned by the people and the public should derive a clear worth from a patrimonial asset. When a TV network dumbs the public, is that wise use of the very asset they own? Is there nothing wrong in using the people’s asset and writing off the loans of the organization using people’s money? But ABS-CBN is number 1 and is trusted by Filipinos still, how would regulators change how it is being used? If Congress renews its franchise, will we see any change in how the network is being used? ABS-CBN is said to have three options: One, for the network to transfer to another channel. ZOE TV-Channel 11 has already ended its collaboration with GMA 7, which had used its former UHF frequency Channel 27 for its GMA News TV; second, go fully digital, do live streaming and produce program materials which they could sell to other networks; and third, an angel investor comes into the scene and secures the broadcast franchise from Congress. The wonders of a joint venture of a content provider and a franchisee.
Though the clock is ticking, legislative measures have been filed in both houses of the 18th Congress to extend ABS-CBN’s franchise. Republic Act 7966, signed in 1995, granted the broadcasting company the 25-year franchise to operate in the country. In fairness to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the previous administration did not entertain an early renewal. And Duterte has not signed any renewal of franchises for GMA, TV5 and other media organizations. PRRD allowed the measures to renew the franchises of a number of media groups to lapse into law. The 10 other media outfits whose renewal of franchise measures lapsed into law are the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Inc., PBN Broadcasting Network Inc., Andres Bonifacio College Broadcasting System Inc. and Insular Broadcasting System Inc. The bill on their renewal lapsed on April 22, 2019. The bills for the franchise renewal of RMC Broadcasting Corp. and Advanced Media Broadcasting System Inc. lapsed on March 30, 2019. Bills renewing the franchise of Cebu Broadcasting Co., Radio Marine Network, First Love Broadcasting Network Inc. and Tirad Pass Radio TV Broadcasting Network Inc. all lapsed on April 27, 2019.
Will the biggest party wilt? Will it form a coalition? Will it reform to be truly for flag and country? The sad state would be if the network falls into the hands of politicians. Some have been friends, allies while others remain adamant on the way it performs. A Philippines without ABS-CBN is nothing new. A Philippines with a TV network with the size and reach of an ABS-CBN, reinvigorated and its purpose redefined, is most definitely welcome in an era of unfiltered news and open governance.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/01/07/opinion/columnists/biggest-political-party/671999/
That media should take a stand is the defense made by some. Media is not neutral as others would insist. Bad news sells and the rest is history, as some would put it. Nothing to do with ownership or writing off humongous loans by a government bank. Even the plan to go digital if the franchise is not extended shows how ABS-CBN plays its cards. It has been on overdrive when it comes to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and some people have decided to move their donations to more neutral entities than ABS-CBN. Fair because ABS-CBN has played the game of politics well. The heat radar in this network is so high that during campaigns or any political event, they are always the trump card for some groups out to sow intrigues, chaos and the like. In the same vein they know which lever to use when it comes to sporting, beauty and religious events. ABS-CBN has always been there, in the service of the Filipino, as they say. And that is why it is the number one TV station in the country, while GMA 7 is strong in Metro Manila and some key markets.
After the 2004 elections, ABS-CBN would often invite me to talk about almost anything under the sun. Even though sometimes I resist, the better part of those years were essentially accepting the invites in order to educate in interpreting events, policies and programs. Connecting dots and ensuring that the right interpretations are made was the driving force to accept being interviewed in a TV channel that wants sound bites all the way. The exposure trained me to think in terms of seven seconds and to break complex ideas and references to basic, understandable pieces. It is not easy because there are hosts who do not understand the topic, do not know how to ask questions and are not prepared to engage in a discussion. But those are few and far between. There are hosts that are really good, very professional, and you will see from the flow of the interview who these are.
After a while, you learn to prepare based on the background and track record of the host. Others just wing it saying it’s a waste of time to study and be edited out. I took the other road: prepare and engage. In the end, the people watching or listening gets educated. That has been the way it was. The same person once intimated to a colleague that “we made her,” in reference to my interviews with them. I would always say it takes two to tango and if a guest made no preparation and just winged it, I doubt very much if they would bother inviting a subject matter expert again.
In one of the interviews during election, I stated, on record, the power of media in determining the outcome of a national election. I was laying down the facts. And I concluded that ABS-CBN could prime a candidate, positive or negative, by the frequency of exposures, length of exposures, mentions whether name, tagline, jingle or even just banters. Imagine loading up TVCs or television commercials on prime time in both TV and radio? Imagine giving out discounts to preferred candidates? Imagine negotiating for combo packages? And imagine a situation where you raise money to pay as you go? In ABS-CBN, it’s pay before airing and sometimes you have paid but your materials are not airing since it turns out they have bundled certain spots for certain candidates. So, you wait for your materials to break after a long queue of opponents and party mates. If you are not well connected, you don’t get immediate action on your buys. If your agency is a small, boutique one, you again wait until the big players have chosen the prime spots; they even get to reserve spots and pay ahead even if the materials are still being produced. Money plays in big leagues. Money opens doors. Money ensures political viability of a candidate. TV is big money.
If Iglesia ni Cristo is the swing vote, ABS-CBN is the gatekeeper of sorts. The 90-day campaign period is defined by ABS-CBN. The other networks came into the picture with the first presidential, vice presidential formal debates. But the load of TVCs went to ABS-CBN by sheer power of viewership. In a presidential election year, the slip of ABS-CBN is for everyone to see, from coverage to news to lifestyle interviews and replays in all their platforms.
When a candidate is at the end, from ranks 10 to 15, or when three candidates are fighting it out for the top slot, without a national organization, play will be for loaded TVCs and that will be the kicker to close and hotly contested race. There are several proofs of the “power” of ABS-CBN being the biggest political party in the country but the latest proof is Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid. He was in “Ang Probinsyano,” the longest running telenovela of the network. He was in the show two years prior to the filing of certificates of candidacy in October 2018. “Ang Probinsyano” is the most watched television show in the country, fetching an all-time highest rating of 47.2 percent on Oct. 4, 2018, according to Kantar Media. Lapid even broke into the Top 3 in pre-election surveys. Never speaking during the campaign, Lapid just went around waving in key vote-rich areas. And then the “Ang Probinsyano” party-list had two groups with one getting the public nod.
So, we go back to the requirement of a franchise before a TV network can operate. The franchise is a privilege and not a right. Spectrum, after all, is owned by the people and the public should derive a clear worth from a patrimonial asset. When a TV network dumbs the public, is that wise use of the very asset they own? Is there nothing wrong in using the people’s asset and writing off the loans of the organization using people’s money? But ABS-CBN is number 1 and is trusted by Filipinos still, how would regulators change how it is being used? If Congress renews its franchise, will we see any change in how the network is being used? ABS-CBN is said to have three options: One, for the network to transfer to another channel. ZOE TV-Channel 11 has already ended its collaboration with GMA 7, which had used its former UHF frequency Channel 27 for its GMA News TV; second, go fully digital, do live streaming and produce program materials which they could sell to other networks; and third, an angel investor comes into the scene and secures the broadcast franchise from Congress. The wonders of a joint venture of a content provider and a franchisee.
Though the clock is ticking, legislative measures have been filed in both houses of the 18th Congress to extend ABS-CBN’s franchise. Republic Act 7966, signed in 1995, granted the broadcasting company the 25-year franchise to operate in the country. In fairness to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the previous administration did not entertain an early renewal. And Duterte has not signed any renewal of franchises for GMA, TV5 and other media organizations. PRRD allowed the measures to renew the franchises of a number of media groups to lapse into law. The 10 other media outfits whose renewal of franchise measures lapsed into law are the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Inc., PBN Broadcasting Network Inc., Andres Bonifacio College Broadcasting System Inc. and Insular Broadcasting System Inc. The bill on their renewal lapsed on April 22, 2019. The bills for the franchise renewal of RMC Broadcasting Corp. and Advanced Media Broadcasting System Inc. lapsed on March 30, 2019. Bills renewing the franchise of Cebu Broadcasting Co., Radio Marine Network, First Love Broadcasting Network Inc. and Tirad Pass Radio TV Broadcasting Network Inc. all lapsed on April 27, 2019.
Will the biggest party wilt? Will it form a coalition? Will it reform to be truly for flag and country? The sad state would be if the network falls into the hands of politicians. Some have been friends, allies while others remain adamant on the way it performs. A Philippines without ABS-CBN is nothing new. A Philippines with a TV network with the size and reach of an ABS-CBN, reinvigorated and its purpose redefined, is most definitely welcome in an era of unfiltered news and open governance.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/01/07/opinion/columnists/biggest-political-party/671999/
House urged to take action on ABS-CBN franchise bills
Rep. Edcel Lagman on Monday filed a resolution urging the House's committee on legislative franchises to quickly report out for plenary action a consolidated version of several bills proposing the renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN Corp. for another 25 years.
Lagman, an independent, filed House Resolution 639 appealing to the leadership and membership of the chamber "to uphold and respect the freedom of the press as an indispensable component of the freedom of expression and free speech by requiring the Committee on Legislative Franchises to act immediately on the bills renewing the giant network’s franchise."
The franchise will expire early this year, and Congress's failure to renew it will result in the cessation of the broadcast network's operations.
Lagman said the resolution invoked as a fitting precedent the unanimous decision of the Supreme Court in Chavez vs. Gonzales and NTC.
That resolution found the warnings of then-Secretary of Justice Raul Gonzales and the National Telecommunications Commission for radio and television media not to air or broadcast the purported wiretapped “Garci tapes” under pain of revocation of their certificates to operate to have a “chilling effect” on press freedom and constituted “unconstitutional prior restraint on the exercise of freedom of speech and of the press.”
Lagman said the repeated threats of President Rodrigo Duterte against the renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN Corp. due to his personal grievances against the network giant constituted prior restraint on press freedom in light of the Chavez ruling.
"Due to the President’s continuing objection to the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, the Committee on Legislative Franchises has not acted on eight pending bills similarly proposing a 25-year extension of ABS-CBN’s franchise," he said.
Lagman said the resolution emphasized that time was of the essence because the franchise of ABS-CBN would expire on March 30, 2020, or very soon thereafter, and Congress had only 24 regular session days from its resumption on Jan. 20, 2020, to its Holy Week adjournment starting on March 14, 2020, to May 3, 2020.
The House leadership through Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, earlier assured ABS-CBN it would be fair and objective in reviewing its application for the renewal of its franchise.
But he reminded the broadcast network that this congressional grant allowing it to continue its operations was a privilege and not a right under the law. He said franchises were privileges given by the government for the operation of certain businesses like radio and television stations.
Lawmakers have said the bill providing for the extension of the broadcast network's franchise was stalled due to the non-cooperation of the network's owners with the legislators who sponsored the bill.
One of the bill's proponents said despite repeated requests, the owners failed to submit documents that would prove that the network was 60 percent owned by Filipinos.
Under the Constitution, media entities are required to have at least 60 percent Filipino ownership.
In 2019, ABS-CBN did not hold a stockholders' meeting, at the time the renewal if its franchise was already pending at the House of Representatives.
https://manilastandard.net/news/national/314256/house-urged-to-take-action-on-abs-cbn-franchise-bills.html
Lagman, an independent, filed House Resolution 639 appealing to the leadership and membership of the chamber "to uphold and respect the freedom of the press as an indispensable component of the freedom of expression and free speech by requiring the Committee on Legislative Franchises to act immediately on the bills renewing the giant network’s franchise."
The franchise will expire early this year, and Congress's failure to renew it will result in the cessation of the broadcast network's operations.
Lagman said the resolution invoked as a fitting precedent the unanimous decision of the Supreme Court in Chavez vs. Gonzales and NTC.
That resolution found the warnings of then-Secretary of Justice Raul Gonzales and the National Telecommunications Commission for radio and television media not to air or broadcast the purported wiretapped “Garci tapes” under pain of revocation of their certificates to operate to have a “chilling effect” on press freedom and constituted “unconstitutional prior restraint on the exercise of freedom of speech and of the press.”
Lagman said the repeated threats of President Rodrigo Duterte against the renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN Corp. due to his personal grievances against the network giant constituted prior restraint on press freedom in light of the Chavez ruling.
"Due to the President’s continuing objection to the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, the Committee on Legislative Franchises has not acted on eight pending bills similarly proposing a 25-year extension of ABS-CBN’s franchise," he said.
Lagman said the resolution emphasized that time was of the essence because the franchise of ABS-CBN would expire on March 30, 2020, or very soon thereafter, and Congress had only 24 regular session days from its resumption on Jan. 20, 2020, to its Holy Week adjournment starting on March 14, 2020, to May 3, 2020.
The House leadership through Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, earlier assured ABS-CBN it would be fair and objective in reviewing its application for the renewal of its franchise.
But he reminded the broadcast network that this congressional grant allowing it to continue its operations was a privilege and not a right under the law. He said franchises were privileges given by the government for the operation of certain businesses like radio and television stations.
Lawmakers have said the bill providing for the extension of the broadcast network's franchise was stalled due to the non-cooperation of the network's owners with the legislators who sponsored the bill.
One of the bill's proponents said despite repeated requests, the owners failed to submit documents that would prove that the network was 60 percent owned by Filipinos.
Under the Constitution, media entities are required to have at least 60 percent Filipino ownership.
In 2019, ABS-CBN did not hold a stockholders' meeting, at the time the renewal if its franchise was already pending at the House of Representatives.
https://manilastandard.net/news/national/314256/house-urged-to-take-action-on-abs-cbn-franchise-bills.html
Duterte signs record P4.1-T spending plan
PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed the P4.1-trillion 2020 budget, his government’s largest spending plan to date, with expenditure focused on social services and infrastructure.
On Monday, Mr. Duterte, legislators, and other government officials witnessed the ceremonial signing of the 2020 General Appropriations Act (GAA) in MalacaƱang. The President said that the budget approval will help the government achieve its aggressive economic growth target of 7.5% by 2022. If realized, that level of growth would represent a significant acceleration from 2020 growth expectations. The Asian Development Bank expects 2020 gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 6.2%.
“Representing almost 20% of our projected GDP for 2020, this year’s P4.1-trillion budget will support our vision of a more peaceful and progressive Philippines — an upper-income bracket country that (will) cut the poverty rate to just 14% and achieve a 7.5% GDP growth by 2022,” he said in a speech.
The 2020 GAA was ratified by the Senate and House of Representatives on Dec. 12. This year’s spending plan exceeds 2019’s P3.662-trillion budget and is the largest budget to date.
The 2020 priorities are infrastructure development, human capital development, food security, and peace and national security, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Social services account for the largest part of the 2020 GAA with an allocation of P1.495 trillion or 36.5% of the total. The programs focus on human development, specifically education, health, and social protections.
Some P172.4 billion will go to Universal Health Care (UHC), significantly lower than the P271 billion recommended by the Department of Health (DoH) to successfully implement UHC on its first year. The amount includes P71.4 billion allocated for the National Health Insurance Program.
About P1.2 trillion will be used to fund economic services, representing 29.3% of the 2020 budget. Programs in this sector include the “Build, Build, Build” program via the 2020 budgets of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) worth P581.7 billion and the Department of Transportation (DoTr) worth P100.6 billion.
Some P192.1 billion has been allocated to the Department of National Defense (DND) and P187.3 billion to the Philippine National Police (PNP), expanding their 2019 budgets of P136.5 billion and P173.24 billion respectively. About P70.6 billion will support the nascent Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The Judiciary will receive P41.2 billion.
Food security measures will receive a total of P81.5 billion.
The 2020 national budget is obligation-based, using a Cash Budgeting System (CBS) similar to the system used in 2019. CBS requires government agencies to spend their allocations and complete projects within the fiscal year it was given.
This system complicated the passage of the 2019 budget, which was signed only in April. The government thus operated on a reenacted budget for more than a quarter, depressing spending and growth in 2019. The President has since signed into law a measure allowing the extension of the 2019 budget’s validity until the end of 2020.
The Palace has not announced any veto action thus far. Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III said last week that he is expecting no veto.
Mr. Duterte also advised his colleagues in the government to avoid corruption. “Let us ensure that every peso in the budget will never be used to support the selfish greed of the few, but spent exclusively for the benefit and service of Filipino taxpayers.” — Gillian M. Cortez
https://www.bworldonline.com/duterte-signs-record-p4-1-t-spending-plan/
On Monday, Mr. Duterte, legislators, and other government officials witnessed the ceremonial signing of the 2020 General Appropriations Act (GAA) in MalacaƱang. The President said that the budget approval will help the government achieve its aggressive economic growth target of 7.5% by 2022. If realized, that level of growth would represent a significant acceleration from 2020 growth expectations. The Asian Development Bank expects 2020 gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 6.2%.
“Representing almost 20% of our projected GDP for 2020, this year’s P4.1-trillion budget will support our vision of a more peaceful and progressive Philippines — an upper-income bracket country that (will) cut the poverty rate to just 14% and achieve a 7.5% GDP growth by 2022,” he said in a speech.
The 2020 GAA was ratified by the Senate and House of Representatives on Dec. 12. This year’s spending plan exceeds 2019’s P3.662-trillion budget and is the largest budget to date.
The 2020 priorities are infrastructure development, human capital development, food security, and peace and national security, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Social services account for the largest part of the 2020 GAA with an allocation of P1.495 trillion or 36.5% of the total. The programs focus on human development, specifically education, health, and social protections.
Some P172.4 billion will go to Universal Health Care (UHC), significantly lower than the P271 billion recommended by the Department of Health (DoH) to successfully implement UHC on its first year. The amount includes P71.4 billion allocated for the National Health Insurance Program.
About P1.2 trillion will be used to fund economic services, representing 29.3% of the 2020 budget. Programs in this sector include the “Build, Build, Build” program via the 2020 budgets of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) worth P581.7 billion and the Department of Transportation (DoTr) worth P100.6 billion.
Some P192.1 billion has been allocated to the Department of National Defense (DND) and P187.3 billion to the Philippine National Police (PNP), expanding their 2019 budgets of P136.5 billion and P173.24 billion respectively. About P70.6 billion will support the nascent Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The Judiciary will receive P41.2 billion.
Food security measures will receive a total of P81.5 billion.
The 2020 national budget is obligation-based, using a Cash Budgeting System (CBS) similar to the system used in 2019. CBS requires government agencies to spend their allocations and complete projects within the fiscal year it was given.
This system complicated the passage of the 2019 budget, which was signed only in April. The government thus operated on a reenacted budget for more than a quarter, depressing spending and growth in 2019. The President has since signed into law a measure allowing the extension of the 2019 budget’s validity until the end of 2020.
The Palace has not announced any veto action thus far. Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III said last week that he is expecting no veto.
Mr. Duterte also advised his colleagues in the government to avoid corruption. “Let us ensure that every peso in the budget will never be used to support the selfish greed of the few, but spent exclusively for the benefit and service of Filipino taxpayers.” — Gillian M. Cortez
https://www.bworldonline.com/duterte-signs-record-p4-1-t-spending-plan/
Monday, January 6, 2020
ABS-CBN's franchise problems seen threatening investor confidence
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
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
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 ParaƱaque, 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 ParaƱaque, 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 (ParaƱaque), 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 (ParaƱaque), 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
- ParaƱaque 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 EspaƱa, 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 EspaƱa, 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
Sunday, January 5, 2020
Teddy Locsin Jr. alleges PNoy also didn’t want to renew ABS-CBN franchise
- Teddy Locsin Jr. said that PNoy also stalled on ABS-CBN franchise renewal.
- ABS-CBN’s franchise will expire in March 2020.
Foreign Affairs Sec. Teddy Boy Locsin Jr. has alleged that former President Noynoy Aquino also didn’t want to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise.
In a tweet, Locsin said PNoy also indicated a lukewarm attitude towards ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.
“Oddly PNoy too indicated he would not renew ABS-CBN’s franchise; only Joma Sison wants to renew it but will he do it when he is president? Ok. Back to my spiritual retreat,” he tweeted.
Oddly PNoy too indicated he would not renew ABSCBN’s franchise; only Joma Sison wants to renew it but will he do it when he is president? Ok. Back to my spiritual retreat.— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) January 1, 2020
Locsin was a previous news anchor of ABS-CBN. Several projects he did for the Kapamilya network included The Assignment, Point of View, and The World Tonight.
ABS-CBN’s franchise is about to expire in March 2020. Until now the franchise renewal bills are still pending in Congress although House Committee on Legislative Franchises Chair Franz Alvarez said they are going to start deliberation when congress resumes on January 20.
The Kapamilya network’s franchise renewal bills have been stalled in Congress since 2016 because of President Rodrigo Duterte’s persistent public objections to it.
However, not known to many, ABS-CBN has also submitted their application for renewal as early as 2015 during the Aquino administration.
But the two bills filed under the 16th Congress were also not acted upon.
According to House insiders, ABS-CBN failed to secure renewal at that time because of strong opposition from other cable operators.
Aside from that, House allies of President Aquino were also hesitant because of the network’s continuous criticism against the administration which PNoy alleged felt was too offensive and personal to the point of nitpicking.
There were also speculations that PNoy asked ABS-CBN to remove its news anchors Noli De Castro and Ted Failon in exchange for renewal because of their harsh criticisms against his administration.
But it can be noted also that in 2015, there were still six years before the franchise was going to expire thus there was no need for expediency.
https://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/national/teddy-locsin-jr-alleges-pnoy-also-didnt-want-to-renew-abs-cbn-franchise/
Additional district for Bataan sought
BATAAN -- Bataan Representative Jose Enrique “Joet” Garcia III has proposed breaking up Bataan into three districts, saying more representatives in Congress would mean additional benefits for the province.
Congressman Garcia told media that converting Bataan into three districts “is already ripe and timely,” with its increasing population and income, among other reasons.
“Kung mas maraming representante sa Kongreso ang isang lalawigan ay mas maraming benepisyo, proyekto at pondo ang makukuha,” Garcia pointed out.
The solon, younger brother of Bataan governor Abet Garcia, has filed House Bill 0199 seeking to create additional district for the province.
Bataan has two existing districts.
The first district represented by Congresswoman Geraldine B. Roman, is composed of the municipalities of Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Abucay and Morong while the second District is composed of the cities of Balanga, Pilar, Orion, Limay, Bagac and Mariveles.
Garcia said the population of Bataan has grown (706,650 as of 2015 based on PSA) with a remarkable growth in the economy and the pouring in of various multi-national companies.
Under HB 0199, Bataan will be converted into three legislative districts -- 1st district which will be composed of the towns of Hermosa, Dinalupihan, Orani and Morong; 2nd District comprises the City of Balanga, Pilar, Samal, Abucay and Bagac; and the 3rd district will be the industrial towns of Mariveles, Limay and Orion which have a combined projected population of 251,609 more or less.
https://journal.com.ph/news/provincial/additional-district-bataan-sought
Congressman Garcia told media that converting Bataan into three districts “is already ripe and timely,” with its increasing population and income, among other reasons.
“Kung mas maraming representante sa Kongreso ang isang lalawigan ay mas maraming benepisyo, proyekto at pondo ang makukuha,” Garcia pointed out.
The solon, younger brother of Bataan governor Abet Garcia, has filed House Bill 0199 seeking to create additional district for the province.
Bataan has two existing districts.
The first district represented by Congresswoman Geraldine B. Roman, is composed of the municipalities of Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Abucay and Morong while the second District is composed of the cities of Balanga, Pilar, Orion, Limay, Bagac and Mariveles.
Garcia said the population of Bataan has grown (706,650 as of 2015 based on PSA) with a remarkable growth in the economy and the pouring in of various multi-national companies.
Under HB 0199, Bataan will be converted into three legislative districts -- 1st district which will be composed of the towns of Hermosa, Dinalupihan, Orani and Morong; 2nd District comprises the City of Balanga, Pilar, Samal, Abucay and Bagac; and the 3rd district will be the industrial towns of Mariveles, Limay and Orion which have a combined projected population of 251,609 more or less.
https://journal.com.ph/news/provincial/additional-district-bataan-sought
House pursues shift to federal government
The House of Representatives is pursuing the shift to a federal form of government that was proposed by the consultative committee headed by retired chief justice Reynato Puno and earlier approved by President Duterte and the previous Congress.
The committee on constitutional amendments, chaired by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, has included in its report on proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution the shift to a federal form of government, which was already approved by the House plenary during the 17th Congress in 2018.
This is contrary to an earlier report that the panel would no longer pursue the proposed shift to a federal form of government because it is supposedly a “hotly contested and divisive issue.”
Rodriguez revealed that the committee report adopted with modification the proposal in the draft constitution of the Puno commission.
The House panel’s move to continue efforts to shift to a federal system was made despite the earlier pronouncement of Duterte that he is no longer pursuing his proposal to change the form of government that could further divide the country.
“We have considered the Puno draft in the committee deliberations and we will also consider it in the plenary debates in relation to the four sets of proposed amendments,” Rodriguez told The STAR.
He said their report is proposing the creation of federated regions and election of senators per region.
“The election of senators by region is a feature of federalism: the rule of subsidiarity. We adopted the proposal of the Puno draft to have federated regions. While it proposed 16 regions, our committee decided to have only nine regions,” he bared.
The House had approved on third and final reading in December 2018 the resolution that seeks to shift the Philippines to a federal system of government after a 224-22-3 vote that met the required three-fourths vote.
The House under then speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo swiftly approved the draft constitution of the Puno commission, with only a few changes.
The draft constitution, which was reportedly approved by the President in July 2018, sought to create 18 federated regions, including federated regions of the Bangsamoro and Cordillera.
But the Resolution of Both Houses (RHB) No. 15 removed the specific number of federal states and proposed that a federal state may instead be created upon a petition addressed to Congress by contiguous, compact and adjacent provinces, highly urbanized and component cities, and cities and municipalities in metropolitan areas through a “resolution of their respective bodies.”
Just like RBH 15, the latest committee report proposed the removal of restrictions on foreign ownership of land and businesses, including mass media, public utilities and schools.
But the panel dropped other proposed amendments in RHB 15, particularly the proposals to remove the anti-political dynasty provision in the 1987 Constitution and to cut the terms of the president and vice president to four years with eligibility for reelection for another term.
The committee report, which was approved by the panel in executive session last Dec. 11, is set for deliberations in the House plenary sitting as a constituent assembly (con-ass) next month.
“Our committee will push for discussions in the plenary sitting as a constituent assembly by first week of February on our four sets of proposed amendments. Every representative will be given the chance to interpellate on our committee report,” Rodriguez said.
“Our committee is open to receive individual amendments to the proposed four amendments. Our proposals are not final and will always be subject to the 3/4 votes of all members of the House,” he added.
Rodriguez explained that the House may initiate the amendments in the Charter as a con-ass without the need for a joint session with the Senate.
He said that under the current Constitution, the House would transmit the approved proposals to the Senate for their own deliberations.
After the two chambers have approved the proposals, the Commission on Elections would then be asked to schedule a plebiscite for the ratification of the recommended changes by the people.
Rodriguez reiterated his appeal to senators to consider supporting the measure, which he said was endorsed by the President.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/01/05/1982149/house-pursues-shift-federal-government
The committee on constitutional amendments, chaired by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, has included in its report on proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution the shift to a federal form of government, which was already approved by the House plenary during the 17th Congress in 2018.
This is contrary to an earlier report that the panel would no longer pursue the proposed shift to a federal form of government because it is supposedly a “hotly contested and divisive issue.”
Rodriguez revealed that the committee report adopted with modification the proposal in the draft constitution of the Puno commission.
The House panel’s move to continue efforts to shift to a federal system was made despite the earlier pronouncement of Duterte that he is no longer pursuing his proposal to change the form of government that could further divide the country.
“We have considered the Puno draft in the committee deliberations and we will also consider it in the plenary debates in relation to the four sets of proposed amendments,” Rodriguez told The STAR.
He said their report is proposing the creation of federated regions and election of senators per region.
“The election of senators by region is a feature of federalism: the rule of subsidiarity. We adopted the proposal of the Puno draft to have federated regions. While it proposed 16 regions, our committee decided to have only nine regions,” he bared.
The House had approved on third and final reading in December 2018 the resolution that seeks to shift the Philippines to a federal system of government after a 224-22-3 vote that met the required three-fourths vote.
The House under then speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo swiftly approved the draft constitution of the Puno commission, with only a few changes.
The draft constitution, which was reportedly approved by the President in July 2018, sought to create 18 federated regions, including federated regions of the Bangsamoro and Cordillera.
But the Resolution of Both Houses (RHB) No. 15 removed the specific number of federal states and proposed that a federal state may instead be created upon a petition addressed to Congress by contiguous, compact and adjacent provinces, highly urbanized and component cities, and cities and municipalities in metropolitan areas through a “resolution of their respective bodies.”
Just like RBH 15, the latest committee report proposed the removal of restrictions on foreign ownership of land and businesses, including mass media, public utilities and schools.
But the panel dropped other proposed amendments in RHB 15, particularly the proposals to remove the anti-political dynasty provision in the 1987 Constitution and to cut the terms of the president and vice president to four years with eligibility for reelection for another term.
The committee report, which was approved by the panel in executive session last Dec. 11, is set for deliberations in the House plenary sitting as a constituent assembly (con-ass) next month.
“Our committee will push for discussions in the plenary sitting as a constituent assembly by first week of February on our four sets of proposed amendments. Every representative will be given the chance to interpellate on our committee report,” Rodriguez said.
“Our committee is open to receive individual amendments to the proposed four amendments. Our proposals are not final and will always be subject to the 3/4 votes of all members of the House,” he added.
Rodriguez explained that the House may initiate the amendments in the Charter as a con-ass without the need for a joint session with the Senate.
He said that under the current Constitution, the House would transmit the approved proposals to the Senate for their own deliberations.
After the two chambers have approved the proposals, the Commission on Elections would then be asked to schedule a plebiscite for the ratification of the recommended changes by the people.
Rodriguez reiterated his appeal to senators to consider supporting the measure, which he said was endorsed by the President.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/01/05/1982149/house-pursues-shift-federal-government
Celebrating the ‘Pearl of the Orient’
The lasting importance of safeguarding our nation’s indigenous cultural heritage has never been lost on the esteemed mother-daughter tandem of Flora Bangayan-Chua and Sheree Chua.
For their 70th and 30th birthday respectively, Flora and Sheree recently celebrated with a party-cum-concert that commemorated Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao from the nation’s history, culture and music, to its fashion and food.
The celebration, held at the Grand Ballroom of Grand Hyatt Manila in Taguig City, saw the Chua family’s friends from the diplomatic, business and social sectors, who came in their most spectacular indigenous-themed outfits.
The family also paid tribute to the 2019 Gawad Kasilak awardees, who are Filipinos who have celebrated Philippine art and culture through their craft, and in doing so, make each and every Filipino proud.
As philanthropists, Flora and Sheree have always made it a point to support institutions with noteworthy advocacies including House of Hope Foundation for Kids with Cancer Inc., “a non-stock, non-profit charity organization established to respond to the needs of children with cancer in Davao and Mindanao.”
Many happy returns, dear Flora and Sheree!
GREETINGS
Advance birthday greetings to Megastar Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan and Cesar Gaupo, Jan. 6; Tess Litton, Apa Ongpin and Tootsie Eduque-Marco, Jan. 7; Dr. Jaime Laya, Jan. 8; Wilcon’s Lorraine Belo, Jan. 9; Winnie Go, Jan. 10.
Happy wedding anniversary to Paing and Mely Hechanova, Jan. 8. May you share many, many more cherished years together.
So, how was your week?
TV Today
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https://www.philstar.com/allure/2020/01/05/1982034/celebrating-pearl-orient
For their 70th and 30th birthday respectively, Flora and Sheree recently celebrated with a party-cum-concert that commemorated Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao from the nation’s history, culture and music, to its fashion and food.
The celebration, held at the Grand Ballroom of Grand Hyatt Manila in Taguig City, saw the Chua family’s friends from the diplomatic, business and social sectors, who came in their most spectacular indigenous-themed outfits.
The family also paid tribute to the 2019 Gawad Kasilak awardees, who are Filipinos who have celebrated Philippine art and culture through their craft, and in doing so, make each and every Filipino proud.
As philanthropists, Flora and Sheree have always made it a point to support institutions with noteworthy advocacies including House of Hope Foundation for Kids with Cancer Inc., “a non-stock, non-profit charity organization established to respond to the needs of children with cancer in Davao and Mindanao.”
Many happy returns, dear Flora and Sheree!
GREETINGS
Advance birthday greetings to Megastar Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan and Cesar Gaupo, Jan. 6; Tess Litton, Apa Ongpin and Tootsie Eduque-Marco, Jan. 7; Dr. Jaime Laya, Jan. 8; Wilcon’s Lorraine Belo, Jan. 9; Winnie Go, Jan. 10.
Happy wedding anniversary to Paing and Mely Hechanova, Jan. 8. May you share many, many more cherished years together.
So, how was your week?
TV Today
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- 12:30am The Dr Oz Show 10 - EP 108
- 01:30am The Flash S4 - EP 1
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- 04:30am SIGN OFF
Metro Channel
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- 11:00AM Culinary Road Trip A III
- 12:00PM Global Watch
- 01:00PM Earth's Natural Wonders
- 02:00PM Kevin (Probably) Saves the World#7
- 02:55PM Straight Talk
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- 04:30PM Mouk
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- 05:30PM Bug Juice My Adventures at Camp
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- 02:35AM WEATHER REPORT and Earth Live
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- 04:05AM A User's Guide To Cheating Death
- 05:00AM Channel Closed for Maintenance
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- 11:00AM PCSO Lottery Draw
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- 11:30AM TV Easy and PTV Newsbreak
- 11:35AM Inside the Stock Exchange
- 11:45AM Only You
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- 02:40PM Inside the Stock Exchange and SHHK Connect
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- 12:00AM Supergirl
- 01:00AM The Ahistoric Grandpa Cooking Show and International News File
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- 03:30AM Welcome to the House
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Q Channel 11
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- 04:45AM Channel Closed for Maintenance
TUESDAY
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- 11:30AM TV Easy and PTV Newsbreak
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- 12:05PM Only You
- 12:40PM TV Easy
- 12:45PM Inside the Stock Exchange
- 01:00PM Noon News
- 01:15PM Weather Report and Earth Live
- 01:20PM Big City Shop
- 02:10PM TV Easy
- 02:15PM The Green Room
- 02:40PM Inside the Stock Exchange and SHHK Connect
- 02:45PM A Watchdog's Tale
- 03:00PM PTV Cordillera Newsbreak
- 03:05PM A Watchdog's Tale
- 03:45PM Chibi Maruko-chan
- 04:00PM PCSO Lottery Draw
- 04:15PM PTVisMin Newsbreak
- 04:20PM Yo-kai Watch
- 04:50PM Kids, Think Big
- 05:20PM Butt Detective
- 05:50PM Financial News
- 06:00PM Doctor and You 09 and News File
- 06:30PM News At Six-Thirty
- 06:55PM Weather Report and Earth Live
- 07:00PM Queen Dugu
- 07:30PM Scoop
- 08:00PM Come Home Love: Lo and Behold
- 08:30PM Of Greed And Ants
- 09:30PM PCSO Lottery Draw
- 10:00PM Handmaidens United
- 11:00PM Where the Wild Men Are with Ben Fogle
- 12:00AM Supergirl
- 01:00AM Market Watch
- 01:05AM The Ahistoric Grandpa Cooking Show and International News File
- 01:35AM News Roundup
- 02:05AM News Files
- 02:10AM Weather Report
- 02:15AM Earth Live
- 02:20AM EXTRA
- 02:25AM Survivor's Law II
- 03:30AM TV Easy
- 03:35AM Welcome to the House
- 04:05AM TV Easy
- 04:10AM Big City Shop
- 04:45AM The Green Room
- 05:15AM Global Rhythm
Q Channel 11
- 06:00am Annedroids S3 & 4 - EP 23
- 06:30am The Adventures Of Paddington Bear S1 To S3 - EP 22
- 07:00am Tickety Toc S1 - EP 5
- 07:30am Robot Trains S1 - EP 0019 & 0020
- 08:00am Mission Force One Yr 3 - EP 14
- 08:30am Super Wings S1 - EP 0009 & 0010
- 09:00am Bob The Builder S19 - EP 0047 & 0048
- 09:30am Tickety Toc S1 - EP 5
- 10:00am Ollie And Friends S6 - EP 5
- 10:30am Robot Trains S1 - EP 0019 & 0020
- 11:00am PCSO Lottery Draw
- 11:15am Asia Now
- 01:00pm Headline News
- 01:05pm Wheel Of Fortune 36 - EP 7009
- 01:30pm Kin - EP 309
- 02:00pm Small Town Surprises - EP 4
- 02:30pm Looking For Stars - EP 5
- 03:30pm Yours Fatefully - EP 17
- 04:00pm PCSO Lottery Draw
- 04:15pm Yours Fatefully - EP 17
- 04:30pm Taste Of Life - EP 301
- 05:30pm Heart To Heart - EP 14
- 06:30pm Pangunahing Balita
- 07:00pm Wheel Of Fortune 36 - EP 7010
- 07:30pm Masterchef Junior USA S6 - EP 10
- 08:30pm Kin - EP 310
- 09:00pm After The Stars - EP 17
- 09:30pm PCSO Lottery Draw
- 10:00pm News on Q
- 10:30pm Michael Chiang's Mixed Signals - EP 8
- 11:30pm Kiki - EP 2
- 12:00mn Silvana Sin Lana (Rich In Love) - EP 2
- 01:00am Kin - EP 310
- 01:30am This Is Singapore - EP 8
- 02:00am The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17 - EP 69
- 03:00am Arrow V - EP 13
- 04:00am America's Got Talent 13 - EP 22
Metro Channel
- 05:55AM Kape't Pandasal
- 06:00AM Vital Lifeline
- 06:30AM Wise Tips
- 06:45AM Financial Focus
- 07:00AM Food Source and East and West
- 08:00AM Property Experts and GBA Life Circle
- 08:30AM Global Market Bulletin
- 09:00AM ETV
- 10:00AM Inside Market
- 11:00AM Market Update
- 12:00PM CGTN Global Watch
- 01:00PM Market Update
- 01:30PM Inside Market
- 02:30PM The Heat
- 03:00PM The World Today
- 03:30PM Market Update
- 03:55PM Inside Market
- 04:00PM Moon and Me
- 04:30PM Care Bears Unlock the Magic
- 04:55PM Claude
- 05:00PM The Pirates Next Door
- 05:30PM Animal Atlas
- 06:00PM FINANCIAL REPORT
- 06:05PM Pearl Magazine
- 06:30PM Luxury Homes Revealed
- 07:00PM News Report with Sign Language
- 07:25PM Today in History
- 07:30PM NEWS AT SEVEN-THIRTY
- 07:55PM WEATHER REPORT and Earth Live
- 08:00PM Straight Talk
- 08:30PM The Wonderful World of Puppies
- 09:25PM 101 Easy Japanese
- 09:30PM Today in History
- 09:35PM A Dream Home Planning and Earth Live
- 10:00PM Financial at 10
- 10:55PM Global Watch Stockes
- 11:00PM News Roundup
- 11:30PM Pearl Spectacular:Epic Yellowstone
- 12:30AM Station 19#2
- 01:30AM Market Watch
- 01:35AM NEWS ROUNDUP (PEARL)
- 01:50AM Earth Live
- 01:55AM Entertainment Tonight
- 02:25AM Todd Sampson's Body Hack 2.0
- 03:25AM Racing To Win
- 04:35AM Channel Closed for Maintenance
WEDNESDAY
PTV-4
- 05:55AM Kape't Pandasal
- 06:00AM Bagong Pilipinas
- 09:00AM Inside the Stock Exchange
- 09:30AM SHHK Connect
- 09:45AM J Super Hits
- 09:50AM Happy Old Buddies
- 10:00AM PTV Cordillera Newsbreak
- 10:05AM A Kindred Spirit
- 10:30AM Secret of the Three Kingdoms
- 11:00AM PCSO Lottery Draw
- 11:15AM PTVisMin Newsbreak
- 11:20AM Secret of the Three Kingdoms
- 11:30AM TV Easy and PTV Newsbreak
- 11:35AM Inside the Stock Exchange
- 11:45AM Only You
- 12:00NN PTV Newsbreak
- 12:05PM Only You
- 12:40PM TV Easy
- 12:45PM Inside the Stock Exchange
- 01:00PM Noon News
- 01:15PM Weather Report and Earth Live
- 01:20PM Big City Shop
- 02:10PM TV Easy
- 02:15PM The Green Room
- 02:40PM Inside the Stock Exchange and SHHK Connect
- 02:45PM A Watchdog's Tale
- 03:00PM PTV Cordillera Newsbreak
- 03:05PM A Watchdog's Tale
- 03:45PM Chibi Maruko-chan
- 04:00PM PCSO Lottery Draw
- 04:15PM PTVisMin Newsbreak
- 04:20PM Yo-kai Watch
- 04:50PM Kids, Think Big
- 05:20PM Butt Detective
- 05:50PM Financial News
- 06:00PM Doctor and You 09 and News File
- 06:30PM News At Six-Thirty
- 06:55PM Weather Report and Earth Live
- 07:00PM Queen Dugu
- 07:30PM Scoop
- 08:00PM Come Home Love: Lo and Behold
- 08:30PM Of Greed And Ants
- 09:30PM PCSO Lottery Draw
- 10:00PM Handmaidens United
- 11:00PM Pearl Spectacular:Epic Yellowstone
- 12:00AM Station 19#2
- 01:00AM Market Watch
- 01:05AM The Ahistoric Grandpa Cooking Show and International News File
- 01:35AM News Roundup
- 02:05AM News Files
- 02:10AM Weather Report
- 02:15AM Earth Live
- 02:20AM EXTRA
- 02:25AM Survivor's Law II
- 03:30AM TV Easy
- 03:35AM Welcome to the House
- 04:05AM TV Easy
- 04:10AM Big City Shop
- 04:45AM The Green Room
- 05:15AM Global Rhythm
Q Channel 11
- 06:00am Annedroids S3 & 4 - EP 24
- 06:30am The Adventures Of Paddington Bear S1 To S3 - EP 23
- 07:00am Tickety Toc S1 - EP 6
- 07:30am Robot Trains S1 - EP 0021 & 0022
- 08:00am Mission Force One Yr 3 - EP 15
- 08:30am Super Wings S1 - EP 0011 & 0012
- 09:00am Bob The Builder S19 - EP 0049 & 0050
- 09:30am Tickety Toc S1 - EP 6
- 10:00am Ollie And Friends S6 - EP 6
- 10:30am Robot Trains S1 - EP 0021 & 0022
- 11:00am PCSO Lottery Draw
- 11:15am Asia Now
- 01:00pm Headline News
- 01:05pm Wheel Of Fortune 36 - EP 7010
- 01:30pm Kin - EP 310
- 02:30pm Looking For Stars - EP 6
- 03:30pm Yours Fatefully - EP 18
- 04:00pm PCSO Lottery Draw
- 04:15pm Yours Fatefully - EP 18
- 04:30pm Taste Of Life - EP 302
- 05:30pm Heart To Heart - EP 15
- 06:30pm Pangunahing Balita
- 07:00pm Wheel Of Fortune 36 - EP 7011
- 07:30pm The Carbonaro Effect S5 - EP 1
- 08:30pm Kin - EP 310
- 09:00pm After The Stars - EP 18
- 09:30pm PCSO Lottery Draw
- 10:00pm News on Q
- 10:30pm RenovAID 8 - EP 10
- 11:00pm Hawkers In Our Centre - EP 1
- 11:30pm Zoo S3 - EP 3
- 12:30am Kin - EP 310
- 01:00am Talking Point - EP 33
- 01:30am The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17 - EP 70
- 02:00am Arrow V - EP 14
- 03:00am Make You Laugh Out Loud 4a - EP 1
- 03:30am World's Funniest Videos: Top 10 Countdown S2 - EP 4
- 04:00am Taste Of Life - EP 189
Metro Channel
- 05:55AM Kape't Pandasal
- 06:00AM Revel in Retirement
- 06:30AM Wise Tips
- 06:45AM Financial Focus
- 07:00AM The 101 Who Made the Twentieth Century and East and West
- 08:00AM Property Experts and GBA Life Circle
- 08:30AM Global Market Bulletin
- 09:00AM ETV
- 10:00AM Inside Market
- 11:00AM Market Update
- 12:00PM CGTN Global Watch
- 01:00PM Market Update
- 01:30PM Inside Market
- 02:30PM The Heat
- 03:00PM The World Today
- 03:30PM Market Update
- 03:55PM Inside Market
- 04:00PM Moon and Me
- 04:30PM Care Bears Unlock the Magic
- 04:55PM Claude
- 05:00PM The Pirates Next Door
- 05:30PM Art Ninja
- 06:00PM FINANCIAL REPORT
- 06:05PM Straight Talk
- 06:30PM Culinary Heights at Ikarus
- 07:00PM News Report with Sign Language
- 07:25PM Today in History
- 07:30PM NEWS AT SEVEN-THIRTY
- 07:55PM WEATHER REPORT and Earth Live
- 08:00PM Innovation Nation
- 08:25PM 101 Easy Japanese
- 08:30PM World's Weirdest Homes
- 09:30PM Today in History
- 09:35PM Innovation GPS and Earth Live
- 10:00PM Financial at 10
- 10:55PM Global Watch Stockes
- 11:00PM News Roundup
- 11:30PM Loving Earth:Cities Under Threat
- 12:30AM For the People#7
- 01:30AM Market Watch
- 01:35AM NEWS ROUNDUP (PEARL)
- 01:50AM Earth Live
- 01:55AM Entertainment Tonight
- 02:25AM 60 Minutes
- 03:25AM Deception
- 04:15AM Channel Closed for Maintenance
THURSDAY
PTV-4
- 05:55AM Kape't Pandasal
- 06:00AM Bagong Pilipinas
- 09:00AM Inside the Stock Exchange
- 09:30AM SHHK Connect
- 09:45AM J Super Hits
- 09:50AM Happy Old Buddies
- 10:00AM PTV Cordillera Newsbreak
- 10:05AM A Kindred Spirit
- 10:30AM Secret of the Three Kingdoms
- 11:00AM PCSO Lottery Draw
- 11:15AM PTVisMin Newsbreak
- 11:20AM Secret of the Three Kingdoms
- 11:30AM TV Easy and PTV Newsbreak
- 11:35AM Inside the Stock Exchange
- 11:45AM Only You
- 12:00NN PTV Newsbreak
- 12:05PM Only You
- 12:40PM TV Easy
- 12:45PM Inside the Stock Exchange
- 01:00PM Noon News
- 01:15PM Weather Report and Earth Live
- 01:20PM Big City Shop
- 02:10PM TV Easy
- 02:15PM The Green Room
- 02:40PM Inside the Stock Exchange and SHHK Connect
- 02:45PM A Watchdog's Tale
- 03:00PM PTV Cordillera Newsbreak
- 03:05PM A Watchdog's Tale
- 03:45PM Chibi Maruko-chan
- 04:00PM PCSO Lottery Draw
- 04:15PM PTVisMin Newsbreak
- 04:20PM Yo-kai Watch
- 04:50PM Kids, Think Big
- 05:20PM Butt Detective
- 05:50PM Financial News
- 06:00PM LegCo Review and News File
- 06:30PM News At Six-Thirty
- 06:55PM Weather Report and Earth Live
- 07:00PM Queen Dugu
- 07:30PM Scoop
- 08:00PM Come Home Love: Lo and Behold
- 08:30PM Of Greed And Ants
- 09:30PM PCSO Lottery Draw
- 10:00PM Handmaidens United
- 11:00PM Pearl Heritage:World's Greatest Natural Wonders
- 12:00AM Anniversary Special:The Good Doctor#12
- 01:00AM Market Watch
- 01:05AM The Ahistoric Grandpa Cooking Show and International News File
- 01:35AM News Roundup
- 02:05AM News Files
- 02:10AM Weather Report
- 02:15AM Earth Live
- 02:20AM EXTRA
- 02:25AM Survivor's Law II
- 03:30AM TV Easy
- 03:35AM Welcome to the House
- 04:05AM TV Easy
- 04:10AM Big City Shop
- 04:45AM The Green Room
- 05:15AM Global Rhythm
Q Channel 11
- 06:00am Annedroids S3 & 4 - EP 25
- 06:30am The Adventures Of Paddington Bear S1 To S3 - EP 24
- 07:00am Tickety Toc S1 - EP 7
- 07:30am Robot Trains S1 - EP 0023 & 0024
- 08:00am Mission Force One Yr 3 - EP 16
- 08:30am Super Wings S1 - EP 0013 & 0014
- 09:00am Bob The Builder S19 - EP 0051 & 0052
- 09:30am Tickety Toc S1 - EP 7
- 10:00am Ollie And Friends S6 - EP 7
- 10:30am Robot Trains S1 - EP 0023 & 0024
- 11:00am PCSO Lottery Draw
- 11:15am Asia Now
- 01:00pm Headline News
- 01:05pm Wheel Of Fortune 36 - EP 7011
- 01:30pm Kin - EP 311
- 02:00pm Ori Princess Sr 3 - EP 51
- 02:30pm Looking For Stars - EP 7
- 03:30pm Yours Fatefully - EP 19
- 04:00pm PCSO Lottery Draw
- 04:15pm Yours Fatefully - EP 19
- 04:30pm Taste Of Life - EP 303
- 05:30pm Heart To Heart - EP 16
- 06:30pm Pangunahing Balita
- 07:00pm The World's Best - EP 5
- 08:00pm You Deserve A Break 2 - EP 11
- 08:30pm äŗ² Kin - EP 312
- 09:00pm After The Stars - EP 19
- 09:30pm PCSO Lottery Draw
- 10:00pm News on Q
- 10:30pm Talking Point - EP 34
- 11:00pm FBI S1 - EP 17
- 12:00mn Team Ninja Warrior 2 - EP 8
- 01:00am Kin - EP 312
- 01:30am On The Red Dot - My Parent, My Classmate - EP 33
- 02:00am The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17 - EP 71
- 03:00am Arrow V - EP 15
- 04:00am Make You Laugh Out Loud 4a - EP 1
Metro Channel
- 05:55AM Kape't Pandasal
- 06:00AM Success in Career
- 06:30AM Wise Tips
- 06:45AM Financial Focus
- 07:00AM Gifts for Foodies II and East and West
- 08:00AM Property Experts and GBA Life Circle
- 08:30AM Global Market Bulletin
- 09:00AM ETV
- 10:00AM Inside Market
- 11:00AM Market Update
- 12:00PM CGTN Global Watch
- 01:00PM Market Update
- 01:30PM Inside Market
- 02:30PM The Heat
- 03:00PM The World Today
- 03:30PM Market Update
- 03:55PM Inside Market
- 04:00PM Moon and Me
- 04:30PM Care Bears Unlock the Magic
- 04:55PM Molang
- 05:00PM The Pirates Next Door
- 05:30PM The Skinner Boys
- 06:00PM FINANCIAL REPORT
- 06:05PM No More Boys and Girls: Can Our Kids Go Gender Free?
- 07:00PM News Report with Sign Language
- 07:25PM Today in History
- 07:30PM NEWS AT SEVEN-THIRTY
- 07:55PM WEATHER REPORT and Earth Live
- 08:00PM Food Safari Water
- 08:30PM Donal's Meals in Minutes
- 09:00PM Dolce Vita
- 09:30PM Today in History
- 09:35PM Investment Tips and Earth Live
- 10:00PM Financial at 10
- 10:55PM Global Watch Stockes
- 11:00PM News Roundup
- 11:30PM Pearl Heritage:World's Greatest Natural Wonders
- 12:30AM Anniversary Special:The Good Doctor
- 01:30AM Market Watch
- 01:35AM NEWS ROUNDUP (PEARL)
- 01:50AM Weather Report and Earth Live
- 01:55AM Entertainment Tonight
- 02:25AM No More Boys and Girls: Can Our Kids Go Gender Free?
- 03:25AM America's Got Talent
- 04:15AM Channel Closed for Maintenance
PTV-4
- 05:55AM Kape't Pandasal
- 06:00AM Bagong Pilipinas
- 09:00AM Inside the Stock Exchange
- 09:30AM SHHK Connect
- 09:45AM J Super Hits
- 09:50AM Happy Old Buddies
- 10:00AM PTV Cordillera Newsbreak
- 10:05AM A Kindred Spirit
- 10:30AM Secret of the Three Kingdoms
- 11:00AM PCSO Lottery Draw
- 11:15AM PTVisMin Newsbreak
- 11:20AM Secret of the Three Kingdoms
- 11:30AM TV Easy and PTV Newsbreak
- 11:35AM Inside the Stock Exchange
- 11:45AM Only You
- 12:00NN PTV Newsbreak
- 12:05PM Only You
- 12:40PM TV Easy
- 12:45PM Inside the Stock Exchange
- 01:00PM Noon News
- 01:15PM Weather Report and Earth Live
- 01:20PM Big City Shop
- 02:10PM TV Easy
- 02:15PM The Green Room
- 02:40PM Inside the Stock Exchange and SHHK Connect
- 02:45PM A Watchdog's Tale
- 03:00PM PTV Cordillera Newsbreak
- 03:05PM A Watchdog's Tale
- 03:45PM Chibi Maruko-chan
- 04:00PM PCSO Lottery Draw
- 04:15PM PTVisMin Newsbreak
- 04:20PM Yo-kai Watch
- 04:50PM Kids, Think Big
- 05:20PM Butt Detective
- 05:50PM Financial News
- 06:00PM China Stories 2020 and News File
- 06:30PM News At Six-Thirty
- 06:55PM Weather Report and Earth Live
- 07:00PM Queen Dugu
- 07:30PM Scoop
- 08:00PM Come Home Love: Lo and Behold
- 08:30PM Of Greed And Ants
- 09:30PM PCSO Lottery Draw
- 10:00PM Handmaidens United
- 11:00PM Surviving in the Lagoon
- 12:00AM Magnum P.I.
- 01:00AM Market Watch
- 01:05AM The Ahistoric Grandpa Cooking Show and International News File
- 01:35AM News Roundup
- 02:05AM News Files
- 02:10AM Weather Report
- 02:15AM Earth Live
- 02:20AM EXTRA
- 02:25AM Survivor's Law II
- 03:30AM TV Easy
- 03:35AM Welcome to the House
- 04:05AM TV Easy
- 04:10AM Big City Shop
- 04:45AM The Green Room
- 05:15AM Global Rhythm
Q Channel 11
- 06:00am Annedroids S3 & 4 - EP 26
- 06:30am The Adventures Of Paddington Bear S1 To S3 - EP 25
- 07:00am Tickety Toc S1 - EP 8
- 07:30am Robot Trains S1 - EP 0025 & 0026
- 08:00am Mission Force One Yr 3 - EP 17
- 08:30am Super Wings S1 - EP 0015 & 0016
- 09:00am Team Umizoomi S4 - EP 1
- 09:30am Tickety Toc S1 - EP 8
- 10:00am Ollie And Friends S6 - EP 8
- 10:30am Robot Trains S1 - EP 0025 & 0026
- 11:00am PCSO Lottery Draw
- 11:15am Asia Now
- 01:00pm Headline News
- 01:05pm Wheel Of Fortune 36 - EP 6873
- 01:30pm Kin - EP 312
- 02:00pm Ori Princess Sr 3 - EP 52
- 02:30pm Looking For Stars - EP 8
- 03:30pm Golden Age Talentime - EP 15
- 04:00pm PCSO Lottery Draw
- 04:15pm Golden Age Talentime - EP 15
- 04:30pm Taste of Life - EP 304
- 05:30pm Heart to Heart - EP 17
- 06:30pm Pangunahing Balita
- 07:00pm Garfield
- 08:30pm Frontline - EP 40
- 09:00pm After the Stars - EP 20
- 09:30pm PCSO Lottery Draw
- 10:00pm News on Q
- 10:30pm On The Red Dot - My Parent, My Classmate - EP 34
- 11:00pm ONE Championship: A New Tomorrow (Bangkok)
- 12:30am The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption
- 01:15am Kin - EP 313
- 02:15am The Ellen DeGeneres Show 17 - EP 72
- 03:15am Arts 21 - EP 120
- 03:45am Euromaxx - EP 119
- 04:15am Whacked Out Sports - EP 35
- 04:35am Save With Jamie S2 - EP 1
Metro Channel
- 05:55AM Kape't Pandasal
- 06:00AM Oops! We Forgot Your Order
- 06:30AM Wise Tips
- 06:45AM Financial Focus
- 07:00AM Access 360° World Heritage and East and West
- 08:00AM Property Experts and GBA Life Circle
- 08:30AM Global Market Bulletin
- 09:00AM ETV
- 10:00AM Inside Market
- 11:00AM Market Update
- 12:00PM CGTN Global Watch
- 01:00PM Market Update
- 01:30PM Inside Market
- 02:30PM The Heat
- 03:00PM The World Today
- 03:30PM Market Update
- 03:55PM Inside Market
- 04:00PM Moon and Me
- 04:30PM Care Bears Unlock the Magic
- 04:55PM Molang
- 05:00PM The Pirates Next Door
- 05:30PM Hotel Transylvania
- 06:00PM FINANCIAL REPORT
- 06:05PM Wild Baltic Sea
- 07:00PM News Report with Sign Language
- 07:25PM Today in History
- 07:30PM NEWS AT SEVEN-THIRTY
- 07:55PM WEATHER REPORT and Earth Live
- 08:00PM The Spirit of Yachting: "An Enduring Challenge"
- 08:30PM Gordon, Gino & Fred's Road Trip
- 09:30PM Today in History
- 09:35PM Success in Career and Earth Live
- 10:00PM Financial at 10
- 10:55PM Global Watch Stockes
- 11:00PM News Roundup
- 11:30PM Surviving in the Lagoon
- 12:30AM Magnum P.I.
- 01:30AM Market Watch
- 01:35AM NEWS ROUNDUP (PEARL)
- 01:50AM Weather Report and Earth Live
- 01:55AM Entertainment Tonight
- 02:25AM Wild Baltic Sea
- 03:25AM Racing To Win
- 04:55AM Channel Closed for Maintenance
SATURDAY
PTV-4
- 06:00AM Bagong Pilipinas and International News File
- 07:45AM Bagong Pilipinas
- 08:55AM Earth Live
- 09:00AM Happy Old Buddies
- 09:10AM Revel in Retirement
- 09:40AM Discover Kyushu
- 10:00AM PTV Cordillera Newsbreak
- 10:05AM Discover Kyushu
- 10:15AM My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic
- 10:45AM TITIPO TITIPO
- 11:00AM PCSO Lottery Draw
- 11:15AM PTVisMin Newsbreak
- 11:20AM Mainichi Kaasan
- 11:50AM TV Easy
- 12:00PM PTV Newsbreak
- 12:05PM Better Be Right
- 12:30PM Young And Restless
- 01:00PM Noon News
- 01:10PM Weather Report and Earth Live
- 01:15PM Cooking Beauties
- 02:30PM DoDo Goes Shopping
- 03:00PM PTV Cordillera Newsbreak
- 03:05PM DoDo Goes Shopping
- 03:30PM Telling Maria 2
- 03:55PM J Super Hits
- 04:00PM PCSO Lottery Draw
- 04:15PM PTVisMin Newsbreak
- 04:20PM Beyblade Burst
- 04:30PM Big Big Little Star
- 05:00PM Pororo the Little Penguin
- 05:30PM Anpanman
- 05:55PM Tipping Point
- 06:30PM News At Six-Thirty
- 06:55PM Weather Report
- 07:00PM News Magazine
- 07:30PM Scoop
- 08:00PM Come Home Love: Lo and Behold
- 08:30PM Live Entertainment Classic Concert
- 09:30PM PCSO Lottery Draw
- 10:00PM PTV Newsbreak
- 10:05PM Live Entertainment Classic Concert
- 11:00PM Movie of the Month:The Boss Baby
- 12:40AM Fun Abroad
- 01:10AM Jade Solid Gold
- 01:40AM News Roundup
- 01:55AM Weather Report and Earth Live
- 02:00AM Survivor's Law II
- 03:05AM TV Easy
- 03:10AM Welcome to the House
- 03:40AM TV Easy
- 03:45AM The Great Adventurer Wesley
Q Channel 11
- 06:00am Mat Yoyo S2 - EP 14
- 06:30am Super Rover & Friends - EP 4
- 07:00am Wussywat The Clumsy Cat - EP 0029, 0030, 0031 & 0032
- 07:30am Babar And The Adventures Of Badou - EP 54
- 08:00am Sesame Street S46 - EP 14
- 08:30am Sesame Street S46 - EP 15
- 09:00am Nils Holgersson - EP 0009 & 0010
- 09:30am Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir S1 - EP 7
- 10:00am Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy Yr 1 - EP 7
- 10:30am LEGO City Adventures S1 - EP 0015 & 0016
- 11:00am PCSO Lottery Draw
- 11:15am Bakugan Battle Planet - EP 48
- 11:30am Lunch Box - EP 2
- 12:00pm Asia Now
- 12:30pm Remarkable Living 2 - EP 6
- 01:00pm Headline News - EP 1
- 01:02pm Chaos Caught On Camera - EP 2
- 01:30pm The Strangest Weather On Earth S2 - EP 1
- 02:00pm Frozen Planet - EP 1
- 03:00pm Odd Squad S2 - EP 16
- 03:30pm Pound Puppies S3 - EP 13
- 04:00pm PCSO Lottery Draw
- 04:15pm Bat Pat - EP 0037 & 0038
- 04:30pm Legal Eagles - EP 1
- 05:30pm Make It Count S2 - EP 10
- 06:00pm Films & Stars - EP 629
- 06:30pm The Simpsons 30 - EP 19
- 07:00pm Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2
- 08:30pm Correspondents' Diary - EP 41
- 09:00pm The Sheng Siong Show 26 - EP 10
- 09:30pm PCSO Lottery Draw
- 10:00pm News on Q
- 10:30pm The World's Deadliest Weather - EP 26
- 11:00pm The Shallows
- 12:30am Afterimages
- 02:05am Supergirl S3 - EP 12
- 02:55am Supergirl S3 - EP 13
Metro Channel
- 06:00AM Pass on the Torch II
- 06:30AM Wise Tips
- 06:45AM Financial Focus
- 07:00AM Miraidane
- 08:00AM Miffy's Adventures Big and Small
- 08:30AM Mike The Knight
- 09:00AM Hotel Transylvania
- 09:30AM Marvel's Spider-Man
- 10:00AM Hour of Power
- 11:00AM Dolce Vita
- 11:25AM Pearl Magazine
- 11:50AM Great Continental Railway Journeys
- 12:45PM Marvel Inhumans
- 01:35PM TKO Total Knock Out
- 02:25PM Super Sapiens
- 03:25PM Little Big World
- 03:30PM Showers of Blessing
- 04:00PM Kid-E-Cats
- 04:25PM Little Malabar
- 04:30PM Thomas & Friends
- 05:00PM When I Grow Up!
- 05:30PM Real Life 101
- 06:00PM 101 Easy Japanese
- 06:05PM 60 Minutes
- 07:00PM Vital Lifeline
- 07:25PM Today in History
- 07:30PM NEWS AT SEVEN-THIRTY
- 07:55PM WEATHER REPORT and Earth Live
- 08:00PM America's Funniest Home Videos
- 08:30PM Britain's Got Talent and Today in History
- 09:30PM A Dream Home Planning
- 10:00PM News Report
- 10:30PM Movie of the Month:The Boss Baby
- 12:10AM How to Raise a Super Baby
- 01:10AM History's Turning Points
- 01:40AM NEWS ROUNDUP (PEARL)
- 01:55AM WEATHER REPORT and Earth Live
- 02:00AM Entertainment Tonight
- 02:30AM Nature's Biggest Beasts
- 03:25AM Britain's Got Talent
- 04:20AM Channel Closed for Maintenance
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