By JOHN CARLO M. CAHINHINAN
Embattled broadcast giant ABS-CBN may lose control of its current spectrum assignment if it fails to secure a new legislative franchise by the end March, Party-list Rep. Jericho Nograles said.
Nograles made the remarks during Friday’s Nanka news forum in Quezon City, when asked if the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) can give away the “channel 2 frequency” of the the Lopez-owned network giant to other existing franchise holders once its current congressional franchise under Republic Act No. 7966 finally lapses on March 30.
“I think in theory pwede,” said Nograles.
Although it’s the exclusive right of Congress to grant legislative franchise to private media entities like the Kapamilya network, the NTC has the mandate to assign specific spectrum or frequency to every television and radio stations in the country that has an existing valid franchise.
Under Executive Order No. 546 series of 1979, the NTC has the “grant exclusive power to grant permits for the use of radio frequencies for wireless telephone and telegraph systems and radio communication systems including amateur radio stations and radio and television broadcasting systems.”
NTC is also mandated to “sub-allocate series of frequencies of bands allocated by the International Telecommunications Union to the specific services.”
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday assured ABS-CBN management that they have already coordinated with the NTC to allow their continuous operations while their franchise renewal application remains pending before the House legislative franchise panel.
“Meron po tayong ugnayan sa NTC na gagawin na habang naghi-hearing kami o habang pending sa amin, hindi magsasara,” he said.
Rival television network GMA-7 and the Catholic Church’s Radyo Veritas were earlier allowed by NTC to continue operating despite having expired legislative franchises, and have only secured a new one months after the date originally prescribe by their respective previous franchise laws.
But Nograles stressed that “NTC cannot act on any spectrum application without a valid congressional franchise.”
“There are precedents, but not exact precedents. Again pagdating sa congressional franchises and in the realm of the NTC, everything is a ‘case to case’ basis,” he said.
https://politics.com.ph/abs-cbn-may-lose-channel-2-frequency-once-franchise-expires-nograles/
Friday, February 21, 2020
Cayetano makes ‘friendly’ reminder to former colleagues
THERE should be inter-chamber courtesy in the deliberation of franchise bills.
This is a friendly reminder from House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano to his former colleagues in the Senate particularly to Senator Grace Poe who will be leading a public hearing on the ABS-CBN Corporation franchise renewal on Monday, February 24.
Cayetano warned that the scheduled hearing of the Committee on Public Services jointly with the Committee on Economic Affairs and Committee on Finance violates the Constitution.
“Ano ba ang sabi sa Constitution? Saan ba nag-uumpisa ang prangkisa? Sa House or sa Senate?” Cayetano asked.
Section 24, Article VI (Legislative Department) of the Constitution states that “All appropriation, revenue or tariff bills, bills authorizing increase of the public debt, bills of local application, and private bills shall originate exclusively in the House of Representatives, but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments.”
The House leader stressed that legislative franchise “verily is a private bill contemplated by the Constitution, being a proposal for a law that would apply to a particular individual or group of individuals, or corporate entity, in this case ABS-CBN.”
Cayetano also pointed out that there should be inter-chamber courtesy in the deliberation of the franchise bill.
However, Cayetano said he cannot argue with the priority of the Senate but hopes that important issues will be brought forward during the upper chamber hearing.
The Speaker reiterated his position that there is no rush in approving the franchise because ABS-CBN will not shut down.
“Meron po tayong ugnayan sa National Telecommunications Commission na gagawin na habang naghi-hearing kami o habang pending sa amin, hindi magsasara,” he said.
“No one is saying na ‘wag natin pag-usapan. Ang sinasabi ko, ‘pag inischedule ko ngayon for hearing lang, lahat nung energy ng buong Kongreso, diyan mapupunta. Walang mag-aattend nung ibang hearing,” the Taguig City lawmaker added.
https://journal.com.ph/news/nation/cayetano-makes-friendly-reminder-former-colleagues
This is a friendly reminder from House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano to his former colleagues in the Senate particularly to Senator Grace Poe who will be leading a public hearing on the ABS-CBN Corporation franchise renewal on Monday, February 24.
Cayetano warned that the scheduled hearing of the Committee on Public Services jointly with the Committee on Economic Affairs and Committee on Finance violates the Constitution.
“Ano ba ang sabi sa Constitution? Saan ba nag-uumpisa ang prangkisa? Sa House or sa Senate?” Cayetano asked.
Section 24, Article VI (Legislative Department) of the Constitution states that “All appropriation, revenue or tariff bills, bills authorizing increase of the public debt, bills of local application, and private bills shall originate exclusively in the House of Representatives, but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments.”
The House leader stressed that legislative franchise “verily is a private bill contemplated by the Constitution, being a proposal for a law that would apply to a particular individual or group of individuals, or corporate entity, in this case ABS-CBN.”
Cayetano also pointed out that there should be inter-chamber courtesy in the deliberation of the franchise bill.
However, Cayetano said he cannot argue with the priority of the Senate but hopes that important issues will be brought forward during the upper chamber hearing.
The Speaker reiterated his position that there is no rush in approving the franchise because ABS-CBN will not shut down.
“Meron po tayong ugnayan sa National Telecommunications Commission na gagawin na habang naghi-hearing kami o habang pending sa amin, hindi magsasara,” he said.
“No one is saying na ‘wag natin pag-usapan. Ang sinasabi ko, ‘pag inischedule ko ngayon for hearing lang, lahat nung energy ng buong Kongreso, diyan mapupunta. Walang mag-aattend nung ibang hearing,” the Taguig City lawmaker added.
https://journal.com.ph/news/nation/cayetano-makes-friendly-reminder-former-colleagues
ABS-CBN CEO Carlo Katigbak issues statement on franchise renewal
With the topic of media network firm ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal much in the news recently, the company’s president and CEO, Carlo Katigbak, has issued a statement on the matter.
The statement was aired on Thursday (Feb. 20) on ABS-CBN’s “TV Patrol” newscast.
Here it is in full:
My Kapamilya,
I am one of the 11,000 employees of ABS-CBN and I am grateful for the opportunity to be of service.
In the coming days, we will be given the opportunity to clarify issues about our franchise. We see no reason why ABS-CBN’s services should be stopped. Nevertheless, we are ready to follow the process as required by law.
For the past 65 years, we have been faithful to our mission to be in the service of the Filipino. To our audiences, it has been a privilege to be welcomed into your homes and to be considered a part of your family. We hope that our programs give you information, joy, hope, and inspiration. We hope that the public service programs of the ABS-CBN Foundation like Bantay Bata and Sagip Kapamilya have provided genuine help to those that need it.
The core of ABS-CBN is public service. But we are not a perfect organization. We have made our share of mistakes and we are ready to rectify whatever shortcomings we may have. This is part of our journey towards becoming a better company.
To our lawmakers, the future of ABS-CBN lies in your hands. We count on your pledge that we will be given the opportunity to answer the issues around our franchise. We pray that you recognize all the good that ABS-CBN has done for the country.
To my fellow employees in ABS-CBN, my Kapamilya, thank you for the hard work and sincerity in continuing to render service to the country. I know how hard it is for you to work while worrying about your job and the welfare of your families. I promise we will do everything we can so that ABS-CBN can continue to operate.
To all those who have expressed their support for ABS-CBN, we express our deepest gratitude. Your voices give us strength especially during these difficult times. Rest assured we will fight for the opportunity to continue to serve you.
In the coming days, we are asking for your prayers that we be allowed to continue on our journey together. In ABS-CBN, we affirm that Family is Forever.
Thank you, Kapamilya.
Carlo L. Katigbak
President and CEO
ABS-CBN Corporation
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/02/21/abs-cbn-ceo-carlo-katigbak-issues-statement-on-franchise-renewal/
The statement was aired on Thursday (Feb. 20) on ABS-CBN’s “TV Patrol” newscast.
Here it is in full:
STATEMENT OF ABS-CBN PRESIDENT AND CEO CARLO KATIGBAK ON THE FRANCHISE RENEWAL OF ABS-CBN
I am one of the 11,000 employees of ABS-CBN and I am grateful for the opportunity to be of service.
In the coming days, we will be given the opportunity to clarify issues about our franchise. We see no reason why ABS-CBN’s services should be stopped. Nevertheless, we are ready to follow the process as required by law.
For the past 65 years, we have been faithful to our mission to be in the service of the Filipino. To our audiences, it has been a privilege to be welcomed into your homes and to be considered a part of your family. We hope that our programs give you information, joy, hope, and inspiration. We hope that the public service programs of the ABS-CBN Foundation like Bantay Bata and Sagip Kapamilya have provided genuine help to those that need it.
The core of ABS-CBN is public service. But we are not a perfect organization. We have made our share of mistakes and we are ready to rectify whatever shortcomings we may have. This is part of our journey towards becoming a better company.
To our lawmakers, the future of ABS-CBN lies in your hands. We count on your pledge that we will be given the opportunity to answer the issues around our franchise. We pray that you recognize all the good that ABS-CBN has done for the country.
To my fellow employees in ABS-CBN, my Kapamilya, thank you for the hard work and sincerity in continuing to render service to the country. I know how hard it is for you to work while worrying about your job and the welfare of your families. I promise we will do everything we can so that ABS-CBN can continue to operate.
To all those who have expressed their support for ABS-CBN, we express our deepest gratitude. Your voices give us strength especially during these difficult times. Rest assured we will fight for the opportunity to continue to serve you.
In the coming days, we are asking for your prayers that we be allowed to continue on our journey together. In ABS-CBN, we affirm that Family is Forever.
Thank you, Kapamilya.
Carlo L. Katigbak
President and CEO
ABS-CBN Corporation
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/02/21/abs-cbn-ceo-carlo-katigbak-issues-statement-on-franchise-renewal/
ABS-CBN out of House franchise panel's Monday meeting agenda
None of the 14 bills seeking the renewal of ABS-CBN Corp's broadcast license are part of the House legislative franchises committee's meeting on Feb. 24.
PBA Party-list Rep. Jericho Nograles, a member of the committee and author of one ABS-CBN franchise renewal bill, confirmed this to reporters on Friday.
The House of Representatives has yet to hear any of the bills seeking to renew ABS-CBN's franchise, which expires in March.
The government's top lawyer last week questioned the media giant's license due to alleged abuses, including foreign ownership and going “beyond the scope of its legislative franchise” for “broadcasting for a fee.”
ABS-CBN, whose news and entertainment shows reach tens of millions of Filipinos online and via TV and radio, said it "did not violate the law."
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said holding hearings into the network's franchise is "not that urgent" because the network can operate until 2022 due to its pending license application.
However, Nograles warned that ABS-CBN risks going off-air if its franchise is not renewed because an active license is needed for the National Telecommunications Commission to assign a broadcast frequency to a network.
The Senate public services committee will tackle on Monday the media giant's franchise renewal.
The panel led by Sen. Grace Poe should only hold a briefing on the issue, instead of a full blown hearing that could be deemed unconstitutional, said Nograles.
The constitution requires franchises to go through the House before the Senate tackles them, he noted.
With reports from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/21/20/abs-cbn-out-of-house-franchise-panels-monday-meeting-agenda
PBA Party-list Rep. Jericho Nograles, a member of the committee and author of one ABS-CBN franchise renewal bill, confirmed this to reporters on Friday.
The House of Representatives has yet to hear any of the bills seeking to renew ABS-CBN's franchise, which expires in March.
The government's top lawyer last week questioned the media giant's license due to alleged abuses, including foreign ownership and going “beyond the scope of its legislative franchise” for “broadcasting for a fee.”
ABS-CBN, whose news and entertainment shows reach tens of millions of Filipinos online and via TV and radio, said it "did not violate the law."
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said holding hearings into the network's franchise is "not that urgent" because the network can operate until 2022 due to its pending license application.
However, Nograles warned that ABS-CBN risks going off-air if its franchise is not renewed because an active license is needed for the National Telecommunications Commission to assign a broadcast frequency to a network.
The Senate public services committee will tackle on Monday the media giant's franchise renewal.
The panel led by Sen. Grace Poe should only hold a briefing on the issue, instead of a full blown hearing that could be deemed unconstitutional, said Nograles.
The constitution requires franchises to go through the House before the Senate tackles them, he noted.
With reports from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/21/20/abs-cbn-out-of-house-franchise-panels-monday-meeting-agenda
NegOcc labor group supports ABS-CBN franchise renewal
NEGROS Occidental-based labor group General Alliance of Workers Associations (Gawa) fully supports the franchise renewal of television network ABS-CBN, its top official said.
Its secretary general Wennie Sancho, in a statement, said the labor sector believes that unless the “alleged violation of ABS-CBN would result to irreparable damage and would be grossly disadvantageous to the people,” the issue of franchise nullification is not warranted.
Sancho said the network has provided the workers with vital information on labor issues such as issuance of wage orders, advisories and updates on labor relations in Western Visayas.
“Gawa considers ABS-CBN as one of its partners in its advocacy to protect the rights and welfare of the workers,” he said, adding that the plight of the 11,000 workers who stand to lose their jobs in the event that the network will be shut down and the economic dislocation of their families should be seriously taken into consideration by the state.
The group cited the 1987 Constitution mandating that “the state shall afford full protection to labor and it shall promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all.”
Sancho, however, said it is unfortunate that the state through the Office of the Solicitor general (OSG) is now seeking to nullify the franchise of ABS-CBN that would result in massive unemployment.
“Where now the workers would go to seek protection for the redress of their grievances?” he asked, adding that in all likelihood the attempt to shutdown ABS-CBN is anti-labor.
It is contrary to the avowed policy of the government that “the state shall afford full protection to labor” and is therefore unconstitutional.
The Congress has yet to act on pending bills seeking a renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise set to expire on March 30 this year.
The network secured a 25-year franchise under Republic Act 7966, which was enacted on March 30, 1995.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1845265
Its secretary general Wennie Sancho, in a statement, said the labor sector believes that unless the “alleged violation of ABS-CBN would result to irreparable damage and would be grossly disadvantageous to the people,” the issue of franchise nullification is not warranted.
Sancho said the network has provided the workers with vital information on labor issues such as issuance of wage orders, advisories and updates on labor relations in Western Visayas.
“Gawa considers ABS-CBN as one of its partners in its advocacy to protect the rights and welfare of the workers,” he said, adding that the plight of the 11,000 workers who stand to lose their jobs in the event that the network will be shut down and the economic dislocation of their families should be seriously taken into consideration by the state.
The group cited the 1987 Constitution mandating that “the state shall afford full protection to labor and it shall promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all.”
Sancho, however, said it is unfortunate that the state through the Office of the Solicitor general (OSG) is now seeking to nullify the franchise of ABS-CBN that would result in massive unemployment.
“Where now the workers would go to seek protection for the redress of their grievances?” he asked, adding that in all likelihood the attempt to shutdown ABS-CBN is anti-labor.
It is contrary to the avowed policy of the government that “the state shall afford full protection to labor” and is therefore unconstitutional.
The Congress has yet to act on pending bills seeking a renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise set to expire on March 30 this year.
The network secured a 25-year franchise under Republic Act 7966, which was enacted on March 30, 1995.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1845265
More measures seeking to extend ABS-CBN franchise filed
JOINT resolutions seeking to extend the legislative franchise of television network ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation until 2022 have been filed in both chambers of Congress to give lawmakers more time to review the network's application for franchise renewal.
At the Senate, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon filed on Monday, February 17, Senate Joint Resolution No. 11, which seeks to extend ABS-CBN's franchise until December 31, 2022.
At the House of Representatives, Cebu City North District Representative Raul Del Mar filed on February 18, 2020 House Joint Resolution No. 28 which seeks to extend the validity of ABS-CBN's franchise until the end of the 18th Congress on June 30, 2022.
The television network's 25-year franchise is set to expire on March 30, 2020. Congress, however, is set to adjourn on March 14.
Drilon and Del Mar separately noted that there are less than 12 session days left before March 14.
Drilon, a former Labor secretary, stressed the need to immediately act on the resolution because "more than 11,000 families will go home jobless and millions of viewers will be affected" if the network ceases to operate on March 30, 2020.
He stressed that "it is Congress, not the Supreme Court, that has jurisdiction to review compliance by ABS-CBN of the terms of the franchise granted by Congress, especially that there are pending bills seeking to renew its franchise."
For Del Mar, extending the validity of ABS-CBN's franchise "will enable Congress to discharge its constitutional duty of protecting public interest in the grant and repeal of franchises, without trampling on rights to due process and infringing on free press and free speech.”
Like bills, joint resolutions also require the approval of both houses, and the signature of the President.
Joint resolutions are generally used when dealing with a single issue, such as backing up proposals to amend Constitution, or emergency appropriations bill.
Drilon's proposed resolution noted that 12 bills filed in the House of Representatives seeking to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN remain pending with the House committee on legislative franchises.
The latest to file a bill is Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, a former employee of the network, who noted that ABS-CBN is “being given an illusory alternative remedy instead of being granted a justified renewal of franchise.”
Legarda was referring to the statements of House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and House committee on legislative franchise vice chairman Tonypet Albano, saying that ABS-CBN may still continue to operate without being granted a new franchise until 2022.
The lawmakers said that the TV network may still remain on air because the House has yet to tackle pending bills seeking its extension.
ABS-CBN was granted a legislative franchise to operate through Republic Act 7966, which was enacted into law on March 30, 1995.
On February 10, about 50 days before the franchise expires, the Office of the Solicitor General filed a quo warranto petition at the Supreme Court to revoke the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN Corporation and its subsidiary, ABS-CBN Convergence for alleged violations of the terms and conditions of its franchise.
Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said the House committee on legislative franchise is silently working on deliberating the bills.
“We are already working on it, you just don’t see it,” he said.
However, Lagman said that it is impossible because of the Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines.
Under Section 16 of the said policy, “no person shall commence or conduct the business of being a public telecommunications entity without first obtaining a franchise.”
“The opinion that a franchisee can continue its operations as long as it has a pending application for renewal and the current Congress has not adjourned sine die is based on an alleged practice which can be challenged in court because it is not validated by jurisprudence," Lagman said in a statement. (Jove Moya/SunStar Philippines)
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1845159
At the Senate, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon filed on Monday, February 17, Senate Joint Resolution No. 11, which seeks to extend ABS-CBN's franchise until December 31, 2022.
At the House of Representatives, Cebu City North District Representative Raul Del Mar filed on February 18, 2020 House Joint Resolution No. 28 which seeks to extend the validity of ABS-CBN's franchise until the end of the 18th Congress on June 30, 2022.
The television network's 25-year franchise is set to expire on March 30, 2020. Congress, however, is set to adjourn on March 14.
Drilon and Del Mar separately noted that there are less than 12 session days left before March 14.
Drilon, a former Labor secretary, stressed the need to immediately act on the resolution because "more than 11,000 families will go home jobless and millions of viewers will be affected" if the network ceases to operate on March 30, 2020.
He stressed that "it is Congress, not the Supreme Court, that has jurisdiction to review compliance by ABS-CBN of the terms of the franchise granted by Congress, especially that there are pending bills seeking to renew its franchise."
For Del Mar, extending the validity of ABS-CBN's franchise "will enable Congress to discharge its constitutional duty of protecting public interest in the grant and repeal of franchises, without trampling on rights to due process and infringing on free press and free speech.”
Like bills, joint resolutions also require the approval of both houses, and the signature of the President.
Joint resolutions are generally used when dealing with a single issue, such as backing up proposals to amend Constitution, or emergency appropriations bill.
Drilon's proposed resolution noted that 12 bills filed in the House of Representatives seeking to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN remain pending with the House committee on legislative franchises.
The latest to file a bill is Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, a former employee of the network, who noted that ABS-CBN is “being given an illusory alternative remedy instead of being granted a justified renewal of franchise.”
Legarda was referring to the statements of House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and House committee on legislative franchise vice chairman Tonypet Albano, saying that ABS-CBN may still continue to operate without being granted a new franchise until 2022.
The lawmakers said that the TV network may still remain on air because the House has yet to tackle pending bills seeking its extension.
ABS-CBN was granted a legislative franchise to operate through Republic Act 7966, which was enacted into law on March 30, 1995.
On February 10, about 50 days before the franchise expires, the Office of the Solicitor General filed a quo warranto petition at the Supreme Court to revoke the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN Corporation and its subsidiary, ABS-CBN Convergence for alleged violations of the terms and conditions of its franchise.
Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said the House committee on legislative franchise is silently working on deliberating the bills.
“We are already working on it, you just don’t see it,” he said.
However, Lagman said that it is impossible because of the Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines.
Under Section 16 of the said policy, “no person shall commence or conduct the business of being a public telecommunications entity without first obtaining a franchise.”
“The opinion that a franchisee can continue its operations as long as it has a pending application for renewal and the current Congress has not adjourned sine die is based on an alleged practice which can be challenged in court because it is not validated by jurisprudence," Lagman said in a statement. (Jove Moya/SunStar Philippines)
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1845159
House resolution filed on franchise
REP. Raul del Mar (Cebu City, north district) has introduced a joint resolution for the extension of the franchise of ABS-CBN until the end of the 18th Congress on June 30, 2022.
Del Mar, in a joint resolution filed on Feb. 18, 2020, said there are 12 bills seeking to renew the the franchise of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., however, there are only 11 session days left, from the day he filed the bill, before the adjournment of Congress on March 14.
The media company’s franchise to operate expires this coming March 30.
Del Mar said the 12 bills are still pending with the House committee on legislative franchises.
“Since there are only 11 session days left before the next adjournment of Congress on March 14, both the House of Representatives and the Senate need additional time to review, assess and determine whether or not ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. shall be granted the renewal of its franchise,” del Mar wrote in the resolution, a copy of which was sent to SunStar Cebu.
He said the additional time would enable Congress to discuss and deliberate on the matter.
“This will enable Congress to discharge its constitutional duty of protecting public interest in the grant and repeal of franchises, without trampling on rights to due process and infringing on free press and free speech,” he added.
Last Feb. 10, Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court asking that it forfeit the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN Corp. and its subsidiary, ABS-CBN Convergence, for alleged violations of the terms and conditions of its franchise.
President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to shut down the media company as he accused it of bias and fraud when it did not air his political advertisement in the 2016 polls.
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said last week the House would not tackle bills seeking to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise until May when members return from their summer break, or after the President’s State of the Nation Address. He said there are more urgent matters for the congressmen to address such as the novel coronavirus outbreak. (JJL)
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1845246
Del Mar, in a joint resolution filed on Feb. 18, 2020, said there are 12 bills seeking to renew the the franchise of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., however, there are only 11 session days left, from the day he filed the bill, before the adjournment of Congress on March 14.
The media company’s franchise to operate expires this coming March 30.
Del Mar said the 12 bills are still pending with the House committee on legislative franchises.
“Since there are only 11 session days left before the next adjournment of Congress on March 14, both the House of Representatives and the Senate need additional time to review, assess and determine whether or not ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. shall be granted the renewal of its franchise,” del Mar wrote in the resolution, a copy of which was sent to SunStar Cebu.
He said the additional time would enable Congress to discuss and deliberate on the matter.
“This will enable Congress to discharge its constitutional duty of protecting public interest in the grant and repeal of franchises, without trampling on rights to due process and infringing on free press and free speech,” he added.
Last Feb. 10, Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court asking that it forfeit the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN Corp. and its subsidiary, ABS-CBN Convergence, for alleged violations of the terms and conditions of its franchise.
President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to shut down the media company as he accused it of bias and fraud when it did not air his political advertisement in the 2016 polls.
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said last week the House would not tackle bills seeking to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise until May when members return from their summer break, or after the President’s State of the Nation Address. He said there are more urgent matters for the congressmen to address such as the novel coronavirus outbreak. (JJL)
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1845246
D.O.J. opinion awaited on ABS-CBN franchise; House hearing in August?
By Joel R. San Juan & Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
THE Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to issue a legal opinion on whether television giant ABS-CBN may be allowed to continue operations pending action by Congress on bills seeking the renewal of its Legislative franchise which is set to expire on March 30.
The DOJ plan was revealed as Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said on Thursday no hearings will be set on the franchise renewal until May or even August.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra confirmed that a legal opinion was sought by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in a letter sent last Tuesday.
“We got it last Tuesday afternoon and we hope to reply by next week,” Guevarra said.
“The main question asked by the NTC is whether or not ABS-CBN may continue operating after the lapse of the franchise period, pending action by the Congress on the franchise renewal bills,” he added.
No franchise renewal will be granted to ABS-CBN Corp. before its expiration on March 30, 2020, as the House of Representatives plans to hear the bills renewing the franchise of the TV network not earlier than August, Cayetano said in an interview.
The hearing on the franchise renewal could be done after President Duterte delivers his State of the Nation Address, which is scheduled every fourth Monday of July, he added.
“There are two options: [one] is that in May depending on what we can accomplish in the next three weeks and the longer option is right after SONA…objectively, is early August,” Cayetano said.
Cayetano said the session days are shorter in May compared to the period of July until October.
Under the calendar of sessions, Congress is set to take a break from March 14 to May 3. It will resume session on May 4 to June 5 before the sine die adjournment on June 6 to July 19.
“This is not like a television soap opera that gets better with cliffhangers. If we would hold hearings for two weeks and there’s not enough time because of congressional recess, or even if we conduct hearings during recess, we could still not tackle it before the plenary,” Cayetano said.
“But here in Congress, in my experience, it would be better to finish what we’ve started,” he added.
However, Cayetano assured the public that the House is coordinating with the NTC so that ABS-CBN could continue its operation after the lapse of the franchise period.
He gave assurances that the lower chamber is considering the 11,000 regular and contructual employees of ABS-CBN in the approval of the Legislative franchise.
Provisional authority?
However, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman has said the NTC cannot “resurrect” an expired Legislative franchise by granting media giant ABS-CBN a “provisional authority to operate.”
“Only holders of a valid, existing and/or renewed franchise can apply with the NTC for a certificate of public convenience and necessity [CPCN],” Lagman said.
According to Lagman, Section 16 of RA 7925, or the “Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines,” unequivocally provides that “no person shall commence or conduct the business of being a public telecommunications entity without first obtaining a franchise.”
‘Go’ signal
Meanwhile, Lagman said the statement of Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go for the members of the House of Representatives to consider soonest the issue of the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise and vote according to their conscience appears to have the blessing of Duterte since Go is very close confidante of the President.
“The apparent softening of the President’s opposition to the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise would quash the smoldering indignation against the Duterte administration for violating the freedom of the press and free expression,” he said.
“The imminent closure of the giant network has galvanized multisectoral support for the renewal of its franchise,” he added.
Also, Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin said the momentum has shifted in favor of the House acting with urgency and immediately conducting hearings on the ABS-CBN franchise bills.
“We have less than two weeks of session days left before Congress goes on its summer break. March 11 [Wednesday] would be the last session day of the House,” he said.
“I concur with Senator Bong Go on the urgency factor. The Senate also needs time to tackle the franchise bills the House will work on. I understand Senator Go’s statements to mean that the senators want to tackle the bills now if the House will allow as a courtesy to the Senate,” Garbin added.
Go, noted Garbin, serves as the eyes and ears of Duterte, and sometimes when the President is uncertain, he is known to course it through Go.
“Senator Go is correct. The longer we prolong the application, the hotter the issue becomes,” he added.
Duterte has been vocal about his opposition to the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise due to the company’s alleged violation of the provisions of its legislative franchise as well as the constitutional limits on foreign ownership of mass media.
“The request [for a legal opinion] is being evaluated. The legal staff evaluate requests for opinion,” said DOJ spokesman, Undersecretary Markk Perete.
It was Go who disclosed last Wednesday that the NTC sought the help of the DOJ.
Last week, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) filed a quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court seeking revocation of the franchise of ABS-CBN Corp. and its subsidiary ABS-CBN Convergence.
Solicitor General Jose Calida accused the network of committing “highly abusive practices” in violation of the terms set by Congress when it approved ABS-CBN’s franchise in 1995.
Calida said the television network has been allowing foreign investors to take part in the ownership of a Philippine mass media entity, in gross violation of the foreign interest restriction of mass media provided under Section 11, Article XVI of the Constitution.
Calida alleged the network’s management also violated its franchise when it launched and operated a pay-per-view channel in ABS-CBN TV Plus, the KBO Channel, without prior approval or permit from the NTC.
With regard to its subsidiary, ABS-CBN Convergence, Inc. (formerly Multi-Media Telepony Inc.), the government accused the latter of resorting to corporate layering scheme in order to transfer its franchise without the necessary congressional approval.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/02/21/d-o-j-opinion-awaited-on-abs-cbn-franchise-house-hearing-in-august/
THE Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to issue a legal opinion on whether television giant ABS-CBN may be allowed to continue operations pending action by Congress on bills seeking the renewal of its Legislative franchise which is set to expire on March 30.
The DOJ plan was revealed as Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said on Thursday no hearings will be set on the franchise renewal until May or even August.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra confirmed that a legal opinion was sought by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in a letter sent last Tuesday.
“We got it last Tuesday afternoon and we hope to reply by next week,” Guevarra said.
“The main question asked by the NTC is whether or not ABS-CBN may continue operating after the lapse of the franchise period, pending action by the Congress on the franchise renewal bills,” he added.
No franchise renewal will be granted to ABS-CBN Corp. before its expiration on March 30, 2020, as the House of Representatives plans to hear the bills renewing the franchise of the TV network not earlier than August, Cayetano said in an interview.
The hearing on the franchise renewal could be done after President Duterte delivers his State of the Nation Address, which is scheduled every fourth Monday of July, he added.
“There are two options: [one] is that in May depending on what we can accomplish in the next three weeks and the longer option is right after SONA…objectively, is early August,” Cayetano said.
Cayetano said the session days are shorter in May compared to the period of July until October.
Under the calendar of sessions, Congress is set to take a break from March 14 to May 3. It will resume session on May 4 to June 5 before the sine die adjournment on June 6 to July 19.
“This is not like a television soap opera that gets better with cliffhangers. If we would hold hearings for two weeks and there’s not enough time because of congressional recess, or even if we conduct hearings during recess, we could still not tackle it before the plenary,” Cayetano said.
“But here in Congress, in my experience, it would be better to finish what we’ve started,” he added.
However, Cayetano assured the public that the House is coordinating with the NTC so that ABS-CBN could continue its operation after the lapse of the franchise period.
He gave assurances that the lower chamber is considering the 11,000 regular and contructual employees of ABS-CBN in the approval of the Legislative franchise.
Provisional authority?
However, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman has said the NTC cannot “resurrect” an expired Legislative franchise by granting media giant ABS-CBN a “provisional authority to operate.”
“Only holders of a valid, existing and/or renewed franchise can apply with the NTC for a certificate of public convenience and necessity [CPCN],” Lagman said.
According to Lagman, Section 16 of RA 7925, or the “Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines,” unequivocally provides that “no person shall commence or conduct the business of being a public telecommunications entity without first obtaining a franchise.”
‘Go’ signal
Meanwhile, Lagman said the statement of Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go for the members of the House of Representatives to consider soonest the issue of the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise and vote according to their conscience appears to have the blessing of Duterte since Go is very close confidante of the President.
“The apparent softening of the President’s opposition to the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise would quash the smoldering indignation against the Duterte administration for violating the freedom of the press and free expression,” he said.
“The imminent closure of the giant network has galvanized multisectoral support for the renewal of its franchise,” he added.
Also, Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin said the momentum has shifted in favor of the House acting with urgency and immediately conducting hearings on the ABS-CBN franchise bills.
“We have less than two weeks of session days left before Congress goes on its summer break. March 11 [Wednesday] would be the last session day of the House,” he said.
“I concur with Senator Bong Go on the urgency factor. The Senate also needs time to tackle the franchise bills the House will work on. I understand Senator Go’s statements to mean that the senators want to tackle the bills now if the House will allow as a courtesy to the Senate,” Garbin added.
Go, noted Garbin, serves as the eyes and ears of Duterte, and sometimes when the President is uncertain, he is known to course it through Go.
“Senator Go is correct. The longer we prolong the application, the hotter the issue becomes,” he added.
Duterte has been vocal about his opposition to the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise due to the company’s alleged violation of the provisions of its legislative franchise as well as the constitutional limits on foreign ownership of mass media.
“The request [for a legal opinion] is being evaluated. The legal staff evaluate requests for opinion,” said DOJ spokesman, Undersecretary Markk Perete.
It was Go who disclosed last Wednesday that the NTC sought the help of the DOJ.
Last week, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) filed a quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court seeking revocation of the franchise of ABS-CBN Corp. and its subsidiary ABS-CBN Convergence.
Solicitor General Jose Calida accused the network of committing “highly abusive practices” in violation of the terms set by Congress when it approved ABS-CBN’s franchise in 1995.
Calida said the television network has been allowing foreign investors to take part in the ownership of a Philippine mass media entity, in gross violation of the foreign interest restriction of mass media provided under Section 11, Article XVI of the Constitution.
Calida alleged the network’s management also violated its franchise when it launched and operated a pay-per-view channel in ABS-CBN TV Plus, the KBO Channel, without prior approval or permit from the NTC.
With regard to its subsidiary, ABS-CBN Convergence, Inc. (formerly Multi-Media Telepony Inc.), the government accused the latter of resorting to corporate layering scheme in order to transfer its franchise without the necessary congressional approval.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/02/21/d-o-j-opinion-awaited-on-abs-cbn-franchise-house-hearing-in-august/
Thursday, February 20, 2020
ABS-CBN shares surge over 20% as Senate sets franchise hearing
Shares of ABS-CBN climb to the P21 level on Thursday, February 20, though still very far from the P60 level before the term of President Rodrigo Duterte began in 2016
Shares of embattled media giant ABS-CBN soared by over 20% on Thursday, February 20, as investors find hope that its franchise would be renewed.
ABS-CBN was the top gainer at the local bourse on Thursday, closing at P21.80 from P18.10 apiece, even surging to as high as P22 intraday. This is also an improvement from its 52-week low of P14.80.
The network gained over P3.1 billion in market capitalization.
However, current share prices are still very far from the P60 level before the term of President Rodrigo Duterte began on June 30, 2016.
Philstocks analyst Japhet Tantiangco attributed the climb to the Senate moving to tackle the network's franchise issues.
"We can attribute this to the remarks of Senator Bong Go who is urging the Lower House to discuss the media firm's franchise case. There's also the possibility of a franchise extension by the National Telecommunications Commission," Tantiangco said.
The Senate public services committee will tackle the franchise renewal of media giant ABS-CBN on Monday, February 24, ahead of hearings at the House of Representatives.
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said the House is likely to delay hearings on ABS-CBN's franchise until May or August, even if the media network's franchise is already expiring on March 30.
The Philippine Stock Exchange index gained over 0.2% to 7,413 on Thursday. There were 90 gainers and 84 decliners, while 54 companies remain unchanged.
https://www.rappler.com/business/252304-abs-cbn-shares-surge-february-20-2020
Shares of embattled media giant ABS-CBN soared by over 20% on Thursday, February 20, as investors find hope that its franchise would be renewed.
ABS-CBN was the top gainer at the local bourse on Thursday, closing at P21.80 from P18.10 apiece, even surging to as high as P22 intraday. This is also an improvement from its 52-week low of P14.80.
The network gained over P3.1 billion in market capitalization.
However, current share prices are still very far from the P60 level before the term of President Rodrigo Duterte began on June 30, 2016.
Philstocks analyst Japhet Tantiangco attributed the climb to the Senate moving to tackle the network's franchise issues.
"We can attribute this to the remarks of Senator Bong Go who is urging the Lower House to discuss the media firm's franchise case. There's also the possibility of a franchise extension by the National Telecommunications Commission," Tantiangco said.
The Senate public services committee will tackle the franchise renewal of media giant ABS-CBN on Monday, February 24, ahead of hearings at the House of Representatives.
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said the House is likely to delay hearings on ABS-CBN's franchise until May or August, even if the media network's franchise is already expiring on March 30.
The Philippine Stock Exchange index gained over 0.2% to 7,413 on Thursday. There were 90 gainers and 84 decliners, while 54 companies remain unchanged.
https://www.rappler.com/business/252304-abs-cbn-shares-surge-february-20-2020
Pahayag ni ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak, Pebrero 20, 2020
February 20, 2020 Statement
Carlo Katigbak
President & CEO
Mga kapamilya,
Isa po ako sa labing-isang libong empleyado ng ABS-CBN na nagpapasalamat sa pagkakataong makapaglingkod sa inyo.
Sa mga darating na araw, mabibigyan kami ng pagkakataong linawin ang mga isyu tungkol sa aming prangkisa. Wala po kaming nakikitang dahilan para hindi magtuloy ang paglilingkod ng ating ABS-CBN. Gayun pa man, kami ay handang sumunod sa anumang proseso na dapat pagdaanan ayon sa batas.
Sa nakaraang 65 years, naging tapat po kami sa aming misyon na maging In the Service of the Filipino. Sa lahat po ng aming pinaglilingkuran, isang karangalan po na kami'y naging bahagi ng inyong tahanan at ng inyong pamilya. Sana po ang aming mga programa ay nagbibigay ng impormasyon, saya, pag asa at inspirasyon sa inyo. Sana po nakatulong sa inyo ang mga serbisyo publiko ng ABS-CBN Foundation tulad ng Bantay Bata at Sagip Kapamilya.
Serbisyo po ang layunin ng ABS-CBN. Ngunit kami po ay hindi perpekto. Nagkakamali din po kami at handa po naming itama ang anumang pagkukulang. Kasama ito sa proseso ng pagiging isang mas matatag na kumpanya.
Sa aming mga mambabatas, nasa inyong kamay po ang kinabukasan ng ABS-CBN. Nagtitiwala po kami sa sinasabi ninyo na mabibigyan kami ng pagkakataong sagutin ang mga katanungan ng mga mamamayan. Dinarasal din namin na makita ninyo ang mga kabutihang naidulot ng ABS-CBN sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino.
Para sa mga kapwa ko empleyado sa ABS-CBN…mga Kapamilya, salamat sa inyong sipag at katapatan sa patuloy na pagbibigay serbisyo sa kapwa Pilipino. Alam ko po kung gaano kahirap magtrabaho habang kayo ay nagaalala sa inyong hanapbuhay at nangangamba sa kapakanan ng inyong mga pamilya. Asahan niyo po na gagawin namin lahat para matuloy ang serbisyo ng ABS-CBN.
Para sa napakadaming nagpahayag ng suporta sa ABS-CBN, maraming maraming salamat po. Ang mga pahayag ninyo ay nagbibigay sa amin ng tibay ng loob at lakas, lalong lalo na sa oras ng matinding pagsubok. Asahan niyo po na ipaglalaban namin ang pagkakataong ituloy ang serbisyo sa inyo.
Sa mga darating na araw, hinihingi po namin ang inyong panalangin na magtutuloy ang ating pagsasama. Sa ABS-CBN po, naniniwala kami na Family is Forever.
Maraming Salamat, Kapamilya.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/20/20/pahayag-ni-abs-cbn-president-and-ceo-carlo-katigbak-pebrero-20-2020
Carlo Katigbak
President & CEO
Mga kapamilya,
Isa po ako sa labing-isang libong empleyado ng ABS-CBN na nagpapasalamat sa pagkakataong makapaglingkod sa inyo.
Sa mga darating na araw, mabibigyan kami ng pagkakataong linawin ang mga isyu tungkol sa aming prangkisa. Wala po kaming nakikitang dahilan para hindi magtuloy ang paglilingkod ng ating ABS-CBN. Gayun pa man, kami ay handang sumunod sa anumang proseso na dapat pagdaanan ayon sa batas.
Sa nakaraang 65 years, naging tapat po kami sa aming misyon na maging In the Service of the Filipino. Sa lahat po ng aming pinaglilingkuran, isang karangalan po na kami'y naging bahagi ng inyong tahanan at ng inyong pamilya. Sana po ang aming mga programa ay nagbibigay ng impormasyon, saya, pag asa at inspirasyon sa inyo. Sana po nakatulong sa inyo ang mga serbisyo publiko ng ABS-CBN Foundation tulad ng Bantay Bata at Sagip Kapamilya.
Serbisyo po ang layunin ng ABS-CBN. Ngunit kami po ay hindi perpekto. Nagkakamali din po kami at handa po naming itama ang anumang pagkukulang. Kasama ito sa proseso ng pagiging isang mas matatag na kumpanya.
Sa aming mga mambabatas, nasa inyong kamay po ang kinabukasan ng ABS-CBN. Nagtitiwala po kami sa sinasabi ninyo na mabibigyan kami ng pagkakataong sagutin ang mga katanungan ng mga mamamayan. Dinarasal din namin na makita ninyo ang mga kabutihang naidulot ng ABS-CBN sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino.
Para sa mga kapwa ko empleyado sa ABS-CBN…mga Kapamilya, salamat sa inyong sipag at katapatan sa patuloy na pagbibigay serbisyo sa kapwa Pilipino. Alam ko po kung gaano kahirap magtrabaho habang kayo ay nagaalala sa inyong hanapbuhay at nangangamba sa kapakanan ng inyong mga pamilya. Asahan niyo po na gagawin namin lahat para matuloy ang serbisyo ng ABS-CBN.
Para sa napakadaming nagpahayag ng suporta sa ABS-CBN, maraming maraming salamat po. Ang mga pahayag ninyo ay nagbibigay sa amin ng tibay ng loob at lakas, lalong lalo na sa oras ng matinding pagsubok. Asahan niyo po na ipaglalaban namin ang pagkakataong ituloy ang serbisyo sa inyo.
Sa mga darating na araw, hinihingi po namin ang inyong panalangin na magtutuloy ang ating pagsasama. Sa ABS-CBN po, naniniwala kami na Family is Forever.
Maraming Salamat, Kapamilya.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/20/20/pahayag-ni-abs-cbn-president-and-ceo-carlo-katigbak-pebrero-20-2020
Palace: Letting ABS-CBN operate with expired franchise could be questioned in court
The practice of allowing a network to operate even after its franchise has expired is "questionable," Malacañang said Thursday, as it called on Congress to do its job in relation to the bills seeking the renewal of the franchise of television network ABS-CBN.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said problems may arise if somebody questions the practice before the court.
"According to them (lawmakers), there has been a practice of extending the franchise. But the legality of that would be questionable. If somebody questions that before the Supreme Court, there would be a problem," Panelo said at a press briefing.
"But what is important is, the president said, they should do something about it. Meaning to say, do their job. If there is a pending application before Congress, then members of Congress should deliberate on it and decide whether or not to grant or to deny the extension," he added.
The franchise of ABS-CBN is set to expire on March 30. The Lopez-led network is facing an uncertain fate as the House of Representatives, which is dominated by allies of President Duterte, has yet to hold a hearing on bills renewing its franchise.
Duterte, who has accused ABS-CBN of biased reporting and swindling, has vowed to see to it that the network would be "out." Officials, however, have claimed that the president does not interfere in the job of Congress and that his remark was just an expression of his "personal displeasure" with the network.
Earlier this month, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said ABS-CBN may still operate after March 30 as long as there are pending bills seeking to renew its franchise. Sotto has said the network's franchise would be "deemed extended" and would only be terminated if the 18th Congress adjourns in 2022 without passing a franchise renewal bill.
Sotto's view was not shared by some of his colleagues, including Senate Minority Franklin Drilon, who believes that ABS-CBN cannot be allowed to operate after the expiration of its franchise.
Panelo claimed Duterte has nothing to do with the inaction on the ABS-CBN franchise renewal bill.
"Because if you noticed commentaries tend to blame him for the impasse and he said, 'I don’t have anything to do with it. They should know my character by this time. I do not interfere with their work. Any utterance that I made before the public in relation to ABS-CBN is in connection with what I experienced with them during the elections. They cannot deny me of that,'" Panelo said.
"That issue is in the hands of Congress and he has nothing to do with it; do their work!"
Next move up to SolGen
Asked whether the government would question moves to allow ABS-CBN to operate after March 30, Panelo said it would be up to Solicitor General Jose Calida to decide on the matter.
"If he (Solicitor General) feels that there is any violation on any law, then he should do his job," Panelo said.
"I didn’t say there seems to be a violation. There is doubt of whether that is legal or not. Now, whether or not SolGen will initiate an action, you will have to ask him. That is his territory," he added.
The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) has asked the Supreme Court to revoke the legislative franchises of ABS-CBN Corp. and its subsidiary ABS-CBN Convergence, Inc. saying the network was engaged in "highly abusive practices."
OSG has accused ABS-CBN of going beyond the scope of its franchise by broadcasting for a fee and of violating the constitution by allowing foreign investors to take part in the ownership of a Philippine media entity.
ABS-CBN has denied violating the law, saying all its broadcast offerings have received the necessary government and regulatory approvals and are not prohibited by its franchise.
The network has also claimed that ABS-CBN Holdings’ Philippine Deposit Receipts were evaluated and approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Philippine Stock Exchange prior to its public offering.
Journalists groups and human rights advocates have expressed support for ABS-CBN and have criticized the Duterte administration for allegedly trying to silence media outlets critical of the government.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/02/20/1994769/palace-letting-abs-cbn-operate-expired-franchise-could-be-questioned-court
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said problems may arise if somebody questions the practice before the court.
"According to them (lawmakers), there has been a practice of extending the franchise. But the legality of that would be questionable. If somebody questions that before the Supreme Court, there would be a problem," Panelo said at a press briefing.
"But what is important is, the president said, they should do something about it. Meaning to say, do their job. If there is a pending application before Congress, then members of Congress should deliberate on it and decide whether or not to grant or to deny the extension," he added.
The franchise of ABS-CBN is set to expire on March 30. The Lopez-led network is facing an uncertain fate as the House of Representatives, which is dominated by allies of President Duterte, has yet to hold a hearing on bills renewing its franchise.
Duterte, who has accused ABS-CBN of biased reporting and swindling, has vowed to see to it that the network would be "out." Officials, however, have claimed that the president does not interfere in the job of Congress and that his remark was just an expression of his "personal displeasure" with the network.
Earlier this month, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said ABS-CBN may still operate after March 30 as long as there are pending bills seeking to renew its franchise. Sotto has said the network's franchise would be "deemed extended" and would only be terminated if the 18th Congress adjourns in 2022 without passing a franchise renewal bill.
Sotto's view was not shared by some of his colleagues, including Senate Minority Franklin Drilon, who believes that ABS-CBN cannot be allowed to operate after the expiration of its franchise.
Panelo claimed Duterte has nothing to do with the inaction on the ABS-CBN franchise renewal bill.
"Because if you noticed commentaries tend to blame him for the impasse and he said, 'I don’t have anything to do with it. They should know my character by this time. I do not interfere with their work. Any utterance that I made before the public in relation to ABS-CBN is in connection with what I experienced with them during the elections. They cannot deny me of that,'" Panelo said.
"That issue is in the hands of Congress and he has nothing to do with it; do their work!"
Next move up to SolGen
Asked whether the government would question moves to allow ABS-CBN to operate after March 30, Panelo said it would be up to Solicitor General Jose Calida to decide on the matter.
"If he (Solicitor General) feels that there is any violation on any law, then he should do his job," Panelo said.
"I didn’t say there seems to be a violation. There is doubt of whether that is legal or not. Now, whether or not SolGen will initiate an action, you will have to ask him. That is his territory," he added.
The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) has asked the Supreme Court to revoke the legislative franchises of ABS-CBN Corp. and its subsidiary ABS-CBN Convergence, Inc. saying the network was engaged in "highly abusive practices."
OSG has accused ABS-CBN of going beyond the scope of its franchise by broadcasting for a fee and of violating the constitution by allowing foreign investors to take part in the ownership of a Philippine media entity.
ABS-CBN has denied violating the law, saying all its broadcast offerings have received the necessary government and regulatory approvals and are not prohibited by its franchise.
The network has also claimed that ABS-CBN Holdings’ Philippine Deposit Receipts were evaluated and approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Philippine Stock Exchange prior to its public offering.
Journalists groups and human rights advocates have expressed support for ABS-CBN and have criticized the Duterte administration for allegedly trying to silence media outlets critical of the government.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/02/20/1994769/palace-letting-abs-cbn-operate-expired-franchise-could-be-questioned-court
PRRD asks Congress to act on ABS-CBN franchise
President Rodrigo Duterte has urged Congress to “do something” about local media giant ABS-CBN’s franchise which is set to expire on March 30, Malacañang said on Thursday.
Speaking to Palace reporters, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte believed lawmakers should act on the pending bills seeking the renewal of ABS-CBN.
“What is important is the President said: ‘They should do something about it.’ Meaning to say, (they should) do their job. If there is a pending application before Congress, then members of Congress should deliberate on it and decide whether or not to grant or to deny the extension,” he said.
Panelo issued the statement after critics blamed Duterte for the supposed impasse in the deliberations of ABS-CBN’s franchise bills pending before the House of Representatives.
Duterte repeatedly took a jab at ABS-CBN for its supposed failure to air his campaign advertisements during the 2016 presidential race and its supposed biased reporting against his administration.
Panelo insisted that legislators, not Duterte, have the jurisdiction over the proposed measures that seek the extension of ABS-CBN’s congressional franchise for another 25 years.
“What is the job of Congress? The job of Congress is to pass laws. The job of Congress is to investigate in aid of legislation any matter that affects the national interest and their welfare. That’s their job. One of their jobs is precisely to deliberate on whether or not to grant franchises or renew franchises,” Panelo said.
Panelo, who also serves as the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, said ABS-CBN’s franchise is deemed expired, if Congress fails to approve before March 30 a measure that allows the local media giant to proceed with its broadcast operations.
His statement negated the claims of some lawmakers that ABS-CBN can still operate beyond March 30, pending the approval of the franchise bills.
Panelo said ABS-CBN's operations after March 30 could be questioned before the court, in case the extension of its franchise does not get the nod of Congress.
"If the expiration period comes, then it has expired. According to them, there has been a practice of extending the franchise, but the legality of that would be questioned. Somebody questioned that before the Supreme Court. May problema sila diyan (That would be a problem)," he said…
Around 11 bills seeking the renewal of ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise have been filed before the House of Representatives.
Congressmen, however, have yet to act on the franchise bills.
Panelo said Duterte’s grievances against ABS-CBN have no “chilling effect” on lawmakers.
He said several lawmakers would have not expressed support to the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, had Duterte’s rants influenced Congress.
“It means there is no effect at all. They know the President was making utterances in reference to his being a victim of fraud by the entity,” he said.
Panelo also emphasized that the Palace need not persuade Congress to do its job with regard to the fate of ABS-CBN.
“I don’t know what kind of bills will they tackle. But what we are saying is you know your duties. You don’t have to be prodded on to do your duties,” he said.
Last week, Solicitor General Jose Calida asked the Supreme Court (SC) to invalidate ABS-CBN’s franchise due to its supposed violation of the 1987 Constitution when it allowed foreign ownership of the media entity.
Under Section 11(1), Article 16 of the 1987 Constitution, only Filipino citizens or Philippine organizations are allowed to take part in the ownership and management of Philippine mass media.
On Tuesday, Calida also requested the SC to bar parties from issuing statements on the pending quo warranto plea against ABS-CBN’s congressional franchise.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1094396
Speaking to Palace reporters, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte believed lawmakers should act on the pending bills seeking the renewal of ABS-CBN.
“What is important is the President said: ‘They should do something about it.’ Meaning to say, (they should) do their job. If there is a pending application before Congress, then members of Congress should deliberate on it and decide whether or not to grant or to deny the extension,” he said.
Panelo issued the statement after critics blamed Duterte for the supposed impasse in the deliberations of ABS-CBN’s franchise bills pending before the House of Representatives.
Duterte repeatedly took a jab at ABS-CBN for its supposed failure to air his campaign advertisements during the 2016 presidential race and its supposed biased reporting against his administration.
Panelo insisted that legislators, not Duterte, have the jurisdiction over the proposed measures that seek the extension of ABS-CBN’s congressional franchise for another 25 years.
“What is the job of Congress? The job of Congress is to pass laws. The job of Congress is to investigate in aid of legislation any matter that affects the national interest and their welfare. That’s their job. One of their jobs is precisely to deliberate on whether or not to grant franchises or renew franchises,” Panelo said.
Panelo, who also serves as the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, said ABS-CBN’s franchise is deemed expired, if Congress fails to approve before March 30 a measure that allows the local media giant to proceed with its broadcast operations.
His statement negated the claims of some lawmakers that ABS-CBN can still operate beyond March 30, pending the approval of the franchise bills.
Panelo said ABS-CBN's operations after March 30 could be questioned before the court, in case the extension of its franchise does not get the nod of Congress.
"If the expiration period comes, then it has expired. According to them, there has been a practice of extending the franchise, but the legality of that would be questioned. Somebody questioned that before the Supreme Court. May problema sila diyan (That would be a problem)," he said…
Around 11 bills seeking the renewal of ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise have been filed before the House of Representatives.
Congressmen, however, have yet to act on the franchise bills.
Panelo said Duterte’s grievances against ABS-CBN have no “chilling effect” on lawmakers.
He said several lawmakers would have not expressed support to the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, had Duterte’s rants influenced Congress.
“It means there is no effect at all. They know the President was making utterances in reference to his being a victim of fraud by the entity,” he said.
Panelo also emphasized that the Palace need not persuade Congress to do its job with regard to the fate of ABS-CBN.
“I don’t know what kind of bills will they tackle. But what we are saying is you know your duties. You don’t have to be prodded on to do your duties,” he said.
Last week, Solicitor General Jose Calida asked the Supreme Court (SC) to invalidate ABS-CBN’s franchise due to its supposed violation of the 1987 Constitution when it allowed foreign ownership of the media entity.
Under Section 11(1), Article 16 of the 1987 Constitution, only Filipino citizens or Philippine organizations are allowed to take part in the ownership and management of Philippine mass media.
On Tuesday, Calida also requested the SC to bar parties from issuing statements on the pending quo warranto plea against ABS-CBN’s congressional franchise.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1094396
NTC seeks DOJ opinion on ABS-CBN’s operation after franchise expires
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has already sought the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) legal opinion on whether ABS-CBN can continue to operate even after its franchise expires.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said they have received a letter from the NTC last Tuesday asking for advice.
“We got it (NTC letter) last Tuesday afternoon and we hope to reply by next week,” Guevarra said.
“The main question (asked by the NTC) is whether or not ABS-CBN may continue operating after the lapse of the franchise period, pending action by the Congress on the franchise renewal bills,” he added.
ABS-CBN’s franchise will expire at the end of March.
But Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said the best time to tackle the renewal of the television station’s franchise was either May or after President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).
DOJ Undersecretary Markk Perete also said the NTC’s request is currently being evaluated by their legal staff.
“The request is being evaluated. The legal staff evaluates requests for opinion,” said Perete.
It was Senator Christopher “Bong” Go who disclosed last Wednesday that the NTC sought the help of the DOJ.
Aside from waiting for Congress to act on the renewal of its franchise, the network is also facing a legal battle at the Supreme Court (SC). Named respondents were ABS-CBN Corporation and ABS-CBN Convergence.
(UPDATE) ABS-CBN's flagship VHF station DWWX-TV, channel 2 would secure a permit to operate by the NTC, while for the sign-on and sign-off sequences: announcement (without voice-over) in original form, new version of station message voiced by Peter Musngi with permit number, plus new Professional Electronics and Communications Engineers, Electronics and Communications Engineers and Technicians (PECE’s, ECE’s and ECT’s), First Class Radio-Telephone Operators and Second-Class Radio Telegraph Operator with license number and list of stations nationwide, followed by the Philippine National Anthem 1998 Centennial Version during the Presidency of Joseph Estrada, also known as the Estrada Administration (full, digitally remastered and restored version in 1080p HD widescreen and 4K UHD with end tagline with voiceover saying: “Ang watawat at pambansang awit ay sagisag ng ating pagka-Pilipino. Igalang natin at ipagpitagan ang mga ito” plus Philippine Centennial Logo and special thanks to) (replacing the 2013 Version produced by ABS-CBN) then a logo bumper (2014 version) and message saying “Ladies and gentlemen, in a few seconds, we will be on simultaneous satellite broadcast. Please stand by”, then a short patriotic message, teaser and station ID on sign-on.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1231499/ntc-seeks-doj-opinion-on-abs-cbns-operation-after-franchise-expires
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said they have received a letter from the NTC last Tuesday asking for advice.
“We got it (NTC letter) last Tuesday afternoon and we hope to reply by next week,” Guevarra said.
“The main question (asked by the NTC) is whether or not ABS-CBN may continue operating after the lapse of the franchise period, pending action by the Congress on the franchise renewal bills,” he added.
ABS-CBN’s franchise will expire at the end of March.
But Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said the best time to tackle the renewal of the television station’s franchise was either May or after President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).
DOJ Undersecretary Markk Perete also said the NTC’s request is currently being evaluated by their legal staff.
“The request is being evaluated. The legal staff evaluates requests for opinion,” said Perete.
It was Senator Christopher “Bong” Go who disclosed last Wednesday that the NTC sought the help of the DOJ.
Aside from waiting for Congress to act on the renewal of its franchise, the network is also facing a legal battle at the Supreme Court (SC). Named respondents were ABS-CBN Corporation and ABS-CBN Convergence.
(UPDATE) ABS-CBN's flagship VHF station DWWX-TV, channel 2 would secure a permit to operate by the NTC, while for the sign-on and sign-off sequences: announcement (without voice-over) in original form, new version of station message voiced by Peter Musngi with permit number, plus new Professional Electronics and Communications Engineers, Electronics and Communications Engineers and Technicians (PECE’s, ECE’s and ECT’s), First Class Radio-Telephone Operators and Second-Class Radio Telegraph Operator with license number and list of stations nationwide, followed by the Philippine National Anthem 1998 Centennial Version during the Presidency of Joseph Estrada, also known as the Estrada Administration (full, digitally remastered and restored version in 1080p HD widescreen and 4K UHD with end tagline with voiceover saying: “Ang watawat at pambansang awit ay sagisag ng ating pagka-Pilipino. Igalang natin at ipagpitagan ang mga ito” plus Philippine Centennial Logo and special thanks to) (replacing the 2013 Version produced by ABS-CBN) then a logo bumper (2014 version) and message saying “Ladies and gentlemen, in a few seconds, we will be on simultaneous satellite broadcast. Please stand by”, then a short patriotic message, teaser and station ID on sign-on.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1231499/ntc-seeks-doj-opinion-on-abs-cbns-operation-after-franchise-expires
'Do your job,’ Palace tells Congress on ABS-CBN franchise renewal
Members of Congress should “do their job” in relation to pending bills for the renewal of broadcast network ABS-CBN’s franchise, Malacañang said Thursday.
It is the responsibility of Congress to deliberate on whether or not to grant or renew franchises, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said as he again distanced President Rodrigo Duterte from the issue surrounding ABS-CBN's franchise.
“As far as he (Duterte) is concerned, that issue is in the hands of Congress and he has nothing to do with it. Do their work,” Panelo told reporters in Malacañang.
Duterte also has this message to lawmakers, Panelo said: “You know your duties, you do not have to be prodded on to do your duties.”
Duterte has repeatedly said he would oppose ABS-CBN's franchise renewal, complaining of the network's supposed failure to air a paid campaign ad before the 2016 presidential elections.
Analysts have said that Duterte’s threats influenced lawmakers, who have yet to act on pending bills seeking a renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise set to expire on March 30.
Still, Panelo said the President does not wish the network to shut down.
Despite this, the government’s top lawyer still sought to invalidate the network’s license to operate before the Supreme Court over alleged “abuses” the company committed in relation to its franchise.
ABS-CBN, however, denied the allegations, saying it “did not violate the law.”
Last week, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano questioned the urgency of holding congressional hearings on ABS-CBN’s broadcast franchise as he argued that doing so "will suck all the energy of the 18th Congress."
"Hindi [ito] ganoon ka-urgent. Bakit? Kasi hanggang March 2022, pwedeng mag-operate," he added.
(This is not that urgent. Why? Because ABS-CBN can operate until March 2022.)
Senate President Vicente Sotto III and House franchise committee vice chair Isabela 1st District Rep. Antonio Albano also said the broadcast giant can operate until December 31, 2022 as long as there is a pending bill for its license renewal.
The network secured a 25-year franchise under Republic Act 7966, which was enacted on March 30, 1995.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/20/20/do-your-job-palace-tells-congress-on-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal
It is the responsibility of Congress to deliberate on whether or not to grant or renew franchises, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said as he again distanced President Rodrigo Duterte from the issue surrounding ABS-CBN's franchise.
“As far as he (Duterte) is concerned, that issue is in the hands of Congress and he has nothing to do with it. Do their work,” Panelo told reporters in Malacañang.
Duterte also has this message to lawmakers, Panelo said: “You know your duties, you do not have to be prodded on to do your duties.”
Duterte has repeatedly said he would oppose ABS-CBN's franchise renewal, complaining of the network's supposed failure to air a paid campaign ad before the 2016 presidential elections.
Analysts have said that Duterte’s threats influenced lawmakers, who have yet to act on pending bills seeking a renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise set to expire on March 30.
Still, Panelo said the President does not wish the network to shut down.
Despite this, the government’s top lawyer still sought to invalidate the network’s license to operate before the Supreme Court over alleged “abuses” the company committed in relation to its franchise.
ABS-CBN, however, denied the allegations, saying it “did not violate the law.”
Last week, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano questioned the urgency of holding congressional hearings on ABS-CBN’s broadcast franchise as he argued that doing so "will suck all the energy of the 18th Congress."
"Hindi [ito] ganoon ka-urgent. Bakit? Kasi hanggang March 2022, pwedeng mag-operate," he added.
(This is not that urgent. Why? Because ABS-CBN can operate until March 2022.)
Senate President Vicente Sotto III and House franchise committee vice chair Isabela 1st District Rep. Antonio Albano also said the broadcast giant can operate until December 31, 2022 as long as there is a pending bill for its license renewal.
The network secured a 25-year franchise under Republic Act 7966, which was enacted on March 30, 1995.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/20/20/do-your-job-palace-tells-congress-on-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal
Justice dept's opinion on ABS-CBN franchise extension out next week
Justice Secretary Menardo Gueverra said Thursday his agency will release next week an opinion on whether regulators should extend the franchise of ABS-CBN Corp. if lawmakers fail to pass a law for it before the expiration of the company's current franchise.
The justice department is "studying" the National Telecommunications Commission's request for a legal opinion on the matter, Guevarra said.
"We got the request last Tuesday... We'll reply by next week," he told ABS-CBN in a text message.
The NTC in several instances had issued provisional licenses to operate for networks whose franchises were still being heard in Congress, Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go, a longtime aide of President Rodrigo Duterte, said earlier.
Duterte has repeatedly threatened to deny ABS-CBN a new franchise after the expiry of its current broadcast license on March 30, accusing the company of failing to air his campaign ads for the 2016 elections.
Last week, Solicitor General Jose Calida initiated a move to invalidate the current franchise of ABS-CBN by filing a quo warranto petition at the Supreme Court over alleged violations by the network in the terms of its franchise and of the foreign ownership regulation.
ABS-CBN said it did not violate any law in its 65 years of service. Report from Johnson Manabat, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/20/20/justice-depts-opinion-on-abs-cbn-franchise-extension-out-next-week
The justice department is "studying" the National Telecommunications Commission's request for a legal opinion on the matter, Guevarra said.
"We got the request last Tuesday... We'll reply by next week," he told ABS-CBN in a text message.
The NTC in several instances had issued provisional licenses to operate for networks whose franchises were still being heard in Congress, Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go, a longtime aide of President Rodrigo Duterte, said earlier.
Duterte has repeatedly threatened to deny ABS-CBN a new franchise after the expiry of its current broadcast license on March 30, accusing the company of failing to air his campaign ads for the 2016 elections.
Last week, Solicitor General Jose Calida initiated a move to invalidate the current franchise of ABS-CBN by filing a quo warranto petition at the Supreme Court over alleged violations by the network in the terms of its franchise and of the foreign ownership regulation.
ABS-CBN said it did not violate any law in its 65 years of service. Report from Johnson Manabat, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/20/20/justice-depts-opinion-on-abs-cbn-franchise-extension-out-next-week
NTC seeks DOJ opinion on ABS-CBN franchise
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has sought the Department of Justice's (DOJ) advice on whether or not ABS-CBN can continue operating if its franchise expires before Congress could act on bills for its renewal.
The DOJ received the NTC's request for a legal opinion last Tuesday afternoon and hopes to reply by next week, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Thursday.
"The main question is whether or not ABS-CBN may continue operating after the lapse of the franchise period, pending action by the Congress on the franchise renewal bills," he said in a message to reporters.
Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete said the department's legal staff are evaluating the NTC's request.
The broadcast network's legislative franchise will expire on March 30.
Calling the matter "not that urgent," Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said the House of Representatives would discuss it "possibly in May if we have cooler heads."
He said the company may operate until 2022 even if its license lapses next month.
The broadcast network has around 11,000 employees.
Meanwhile, Solicitor General Jose Calida has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to forfeit ABS-CBN's franchise over what he called the company's "highly abusive practices," such as operating a pay-per-view channel on free-to-air signals and issuing Philippine Depositary Receipts to foreigners.
The SC has ordered ABS-CBN to comment on the petition for quo warranto, the same action Calida initiated against then-chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. She was ousted in 2018 in a manner that critics of the landmark ruling called unconstitutional.
Calida has also asked the SC to issue a gag order on all the parties in the quo warranto case, alleging ABS-CBN “engaged in propaganda" in its reports and "commentaries" following the filing of the petition.
The SC has also asked ABS-CBN to comment on the motion for a gag order. — BM, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/726677/ntc-seeks-doj-opinion-on-abs-cbn-franchise/story/
The DOJ received the NTC's request for a legal opinion last Tuesday afternoon and hopes to reply by next week, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Thursday.
"The main question is whether or not ABS-CBN may continue operating after the lapse of the franchise period, pending action by the Congress on the franchise renewal bills," he said in a message to reporters.
Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete said the department's legal staff are evaluating the NTC's request.
The broadcast network's legislative franchise will expire on March 30.
Calling the matter "not that urgent," Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said the House of Representatives would discuss it "possibly in May if we have cooler heads."
He said the company may operate until 2022 even if its license lapses next month.
The broadcast network has around 11,000 employees.
Meanwhile, Solicitor General Jose Calida has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to forfeit ABS-CBN's franchise over what he called the company's "highly abusive practices," such as operating a pay-per-view channel on free-to-air signals and issuing Philippine Depositary Receipts to foreigners.
The SC has ordered ABS-CBN to comment on the petition for quo warranto, the same action Calida initiated against then-chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. She was ousted in 2018 in a manner that critics of the landmark ruling called unconstitutional.
Calida has also asked the SC to issue a gag order on all the parties in the quo warranto case, alleging ABS-CBN “engaged in propaganda" in its reports and "commentaries" following the filing of the petition.
The SC has also asked ABS-CBN to comment on the motion for a gag order. — BM, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/726677/ntc-seeks-doj-opinion-on-abs-cbn-franchise/story/
Carlo Aquino can’t imagine life without ABS-CBN
As one of ABS-CBN’s homegrown artists, Carlo Aquino is hoping things would go in favor of the network concerning its franchise renewal.
Speaking to ABS-CBN News on Wednesday, Aquino said he couldn’t imagine what it would be like if Congress would not allow the broadcast giant to operate.
“Hindi ko ma-imagine na walang ABS-CBN. Ito na 'yung kinalakihan ko. Dito talaga ako [tumanda]. Grabe, nagsimula ako, 9 years old. Ngayon I am 34. Dito ako natuto umarte, dito ako natuto kumanta. Sila ang nag-hone ng skills ko. 'Yun ang gagawin nila sa mga susunod na generations,” he said.
According to Aquino, he is urging his supporters to voice out what ABS-CBN means to them.
“Siyempre sila ang makakatulong sa atin, 'yung mga naniniwala na ang laki ng naitulong ng ABS-CBN sa kanila. Siyempre 'yung mga OFW natin, 'yung mga TFC subscribers,” he said.
Nonetheless, Aquino is certain that no matter what happens, ABS-CBN will remain in the service of the Filipino.
“Kasi para sa akin, with or without a franchise, ABS-CBN will continue to serve the Filipino. 'Yun na ang ginagawa nila for over 60 years. Pero naniniwala pa rin ako at pinagdadasal ko na hindi mangyayari [na mawalan ng franchise],” he said.
Meanwhile, Aquino feels fortunate to still enjoy the network’s trust.
Along with other artists, Aquino renewed his contract with ABS-CBN, which will cover two more years.
“Hindi naman nila binibigay 'yung ganyang contract basta basta. Sobrang 'yung thankfulness ko, talagang over the top. Paghuhusayan ko pa,” he said.
Aquino, who is currently seen in the primetime series “A Soldier’s Heart,” is expected to do three movies in the next two years.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/02/20/20/carlo-aquino-cant-imagine-life-without-abs-cbn
Speaking to ABS-CBN News on Wednesday, Aquino said he couldn’t imagine what it would be like if Congress would not allow the broadcast giant to operate.
“Hindi ko ma-imagine na walang ABS-CBN. Ito na 'yung kinalakihan ko. Dito talaga ako [tumanda]. Grabe, nagsimula ako, 9 years old. Ngayon I am 34. Dito ako natuto umarte, dito ako natuto kumanta. Sila ang nag-hone ng skills ko. 'Yun ang gagawin nila sa mga susunod na generations,” he said.
According to Aquino, he is urging his supporters to voice out what ABS-CBN means to them.
“Siyempre sila ang makakatulong sa atin, 'yung mga naniniwala na ang laki ng naitulong ng ABS-CBN sa kanila. Siyempre 'yung mga OFW natin, 'yung mga TFC subscribers,” he said.
Nonetheless, Aquino is certain that no matter what happens, ABS-CBN will remain in the service of the Filipino.
“Kasi para sa akin, with or without a franchise, ABS-CBN will continue to serve the Filipino. 'Yun na ang ginagawa nila for over 60 years. Pero naniniwala pa rin ako at pinagdadasal ko na hindi mangyayari [na mawalan ng franchise],” he said.
Meanwhile, Aquino feels fortunate to still enjoy the network’s trust.
Along with other artists, Aquino renewed his contract with ABS-CBN, which will cover two more years.
“Hindi naman nila binibigay 'yung ganyang contract basta basta. Sobrang 'yung thankfulness ko, talagang over the top. Paghuhusayan ko pa,” he said.
Aquino, who is currently seen in the primetime series “A Soldier’s Heart,” is expected to do three movies in the next two years.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/02/20/20/carlo-aquino-cant-imagine-life-without-abs-cbn
ABS-CBN needs a law to extend its franchise—Palace
The Palace on Wednesday said lawmakers should pass a law extending the validity of ABS-CBN’s franchise, which expires on March 30, if they are really inclined to renew it.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said this would enable the broadcast giant to continue operating until its new franchise is granted.
Earlier, Rep. Antonio Albano, vice chairman of the House committee on legislative franchises, said that in practice, ABS-CBN may be allowed to operate while Congress debates bills to extend its franchise.
But Panelo said a simpler way was to simply pass a new law to extend its validity.
Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin previously said that the franchise of GMA Network, another broadcast company, expired on March 20, 2017, but it continued to operate with its authority renewed through a law signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on April 21, 2017.
Garbin also said the franchise of the 29 radio stations of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines expired in 2017 but they continued to operate even if the franchise was only renewed by the Congress in 2019.
Under Republic Act 3846, radio and television stations are required to seek a franchise from Congress.
ABS-CBN’s current franchise was approved through Republic Act 7966 on March 30, 1995.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday said House members should act immediately on bills seeking to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise.
He said the lawmakers should vote according to their conscience and assured the public that President Duterte would not pressure them to vote one way or the other.
Go, a constant companion of the President, said Duterte was not being vindictive when he publicly declared that he would block the renewal of the network’s franchise.
He said Duterte merely expressed displeasure over ABS-CBN’s failure to air his political advertisement when he was running for president in 2016.
Go would not say, however, if he would support an extension to ABS-CBN’s franchise.
On the other hand, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said he is in favor of the extension, saying none of the complaints against the network were “fatally defective.”
“I’ll put it this way. Here in the Senate, I think all of us got hit by ABS-CBN. Nobody here… was spared, but I don’t think that’s fatally defective on their franchise, or for any other media network. That’s your job. You’re the fourth estate,” Recto said.
The Senate public services committee chaired by Senator Grace Poe is set to hear the ABS-CBN’s franchise extension on Feb. 24.
In related developments:
• The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Tuesday said ABS-CBN has no outstanding tax liabilities, contrary to allegations being circulated online.
• A militant labor organization on Wednesday said shutting down the operations of ABS-CBN will not solve the network’s labor issues and will only place its 11,000 workers’ jobs in peril. Defend Jobs Philippines said it would be moot and academic to talk about issues of regularization, wages, benefits, and safe workplaces if the company’s franchise is not renewed.
• The Integrated Bar of the Philippines on Wednesday urged the public to trust that the Supreme Court to render a fair judgment in the quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida, who wants the justices to nullify the network’s franchise because of alleged violations of constitutional limits to foreign ownership of media.
https://manilastandard.net/index.php/news/top-stories/317762/abs-cbn-needs-a-law-to-extend-its-franchise-palace.html
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said this would enable the broadcast giant to continue operating until its new franchise is granted.
Earlier, Rep. Antonio Albano, vice chairman of the House committee on legislative franchises, said that in practice, ABS-CBN may be allowed to operate while Congress debates bills to extend its franchise.
But Panelo said a simpler way was to simply pass a new law to extend its validity.
Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin previously said that the franchise of GMA Network, another broadcast company, expired on March 20, 2017, but it continued to operate with its authority renewed through a law signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on April 21, 2017.
Garbin also said the franchise of the 29 radio stations of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines expired in 2017 but they continued to operate even if the franchise was only renewed by the Congress in 2019.
Under Republic Act 3846, radio and television stations are required to seek a franchise from Congress.
ABS-CBN’s current franchise was approved through Republic Act 7966 on March 30, 1995.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday said House members should act immediately on bills seeking to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise.
He said the lawmakers should vote according to their conscience and assured the public that President Duterte would not pressure them to vote one way or the other.
Go, a constant companion of the President, said Duterte was not being vindictive when he publicly declared that he would block the renewal of the network’s franchise.
He said Duterte merely expressed displeasure over ABS-CBN’s failure to air his political advertisement when he was running for president in 2016.
Go would not say, however, if he would support an extension to ABS-CBN’s franchise.
On the other hand, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said he is in favor of the extension, saying none of the complaints against the network were “fatally defective.”
“I’ll put it this way. Here in the Senate, I think all of us got hit by ABS-CBN. Nobody here… was spared, but I don’t think that’s fatally defective on their franchise, or for any other media network. That’s your job. You’re the fourth estate,” Recto said.
The Senate public services committee chaired by Senator Grace Poe is set to hear the ABS-CBN’s franchise extension on Feb. 24.
In related developments:
• The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Tuesday said ABS-CBN has no outstanding tax liabilities, contrary to allegations being circulated online.
• A militant labor organization on Wednesday said shutting down the operations of ABS-CBN will not solve the network’s labor issues and will only place its 11,000 workers’ jobs in peril. Defend Jobs Philippines said it would be moot and academic to talk about issues of regularization, wages, benefits, and safe workplaces if the company’s franchise is not renewed.
• The Integrated Bar of the Philippines on Wednesday urged the public to trust that the Supreme Court to render a fair judgment in the quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida, who wants the justices to nullify the network’s franchise because of alleged violations of constitutional limits to foreign ownership of media.
https://manilastandard.net/index.php/news/top-stories/317762/abs-cbn-needs-a-law-to-extend-its-franchise-palace.html
Full-house Senate attendance expected in ABS-CBN franchise hearing
The Senate deferred its afternoon plenary session for Monday, Feb. 24, to give way to the ABS-CBN franchise renewal hearing where majority of senators are expected to attend, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said.
Before adjourning Wednesday’s Senate session, Zubiri said “very important” hearings would be conducted on Monday next week, one of which would make use of the session hall as its venue.
“So to allow our colleagues to utilize all our rooms on Monday for very important hearings, particularly the Session hall, we move to adjourn session until the 26th February, Wednesday three o’clock in the afternoon,” Zubiri said.
He noted that approval of all the senators had been sought about the matter.
“The Senate is a collegial body. We make a collective decision and that was the decision we arrived at in the mini caucus,” he said in an interview.
The session will resume on Wednesday next week, Feb. 26, since Feb. 25, the EDSA People Power anniversary, is a declared national holiday, Zubiri said.
‘Full house’
According to Zubiri, the majority of the senators expressed intent to join the hearing, which will be led by Sen. Grace Poe, public services committee chair.
“About 80 percent of senators have signified that they will be attending so we are expecting a full house in terms of the membership of the Senate to attend and question resource persons,” Zubiri said in an interview.
“The committee of Sen. Grace Poe will have enough time — even if she wants all the way up to the evening — to be able to profound questions on the resource persons on this franchise application,” he added.
Other franchises, too
In a media advisory sent to reporters by Poe’s office, the franchise hearing is scheduled on Feb. 24 at 10 a.m., over a month before the ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise lapses on March 30, 2020.
Poe’s committee will also discuss the broadcast franchises of the following companies:
Local bills, like those seeking the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, should first emanate from the House of Representatives before it can be tackled in the Senate.
But Poe announced early this week that her panel would start deliberating on the network’s franchise even without prior action from the lower chamber provided that she would not yet release a committee report on the matter.
This developed after the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) filed a quo warranto before the Supreme Court seeking to nullify ABS-CBN’s franchise.
The OSG then later filed a motion asking the high court to stop ABS-CBN and concerned parties from discussing the said petition.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1231006/senators-to-have-full-house-attendance-in-abs-cbn-franchise-hearing-on-feb-24-plenary-session-deferred
Before adjourning Wednesday’s Senate session, Zubiri said “very important” hearings would be conducted on Monday next week, one of which would make use of the session hall as its venue.
“So to allow our colleagues to utilize all our rooms on Monday for very important hearings, particularly the Session hall, we move to adjourn session until the 26th February, Wednesday three o’clock in the afternoon,” Zubiri said.
He noted that approval of all the senators had been sought about the matter.
“The Senate is a collegial body. We make a collective decision and that was the decision we arrived at in the mini caucus,” he said in an interview.
The session will resume on Wednesday next week, Feb. 26, since Feb. 25, the EDSA People Power anniversary, is a declared national holiday, Zubiri said.
‘Full house’
According to Zubiri, the majority of the senators expressed intent to join the hearing, which will be led by Sen. Grace Poe, public services committee chair.
“About 80 percent of senators have signified that they will be attending so we are expecting a full house in terms of the membership of the Senate to attend and question resource persons,” Zubiri said in an interview.
“The committee of Sen. Grace Poe will have enough time — even if she wants all the way up to the evening — to be able to profound questions on the resource persons on this franchise application,” he added.
Other franchises, too
In a media advisory sent to reporters by Poe’s office, the franchise hearing is scheduled on Feb. 24 at 10 a.m., over a month before the ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise lapses on March 30, 2020.
Poe’s committee will also discuss the broadcast franchises of the following companies:
- Golden Broadcast Professional Inc.
- Gold Label Broadcasting System Inc.
- Broadcast Enterprises and Affiliated Media Inc.
- First United Broadcasting Corp.
- Crusaders Broadcasting System Inc.
- Bicol Broadcasting System Inc.
Local bills, like those seeking the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, should first emanate from the House of Representatives before it can be tackled in the Senate.
But Poe announced early this week that her panel would start deliberating on the network’s franchise even without prior action from the lower chamber provided that she would not yet release a committee report on the matter.
This developed after the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) filed a quo warranto before the Supreme Court seeking to nullify ABS-CBN’s franchise.
The OSG then later filed a motion asking the high court to stop ABS-CBN and concerned parties from discussing the said petition.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1231006/senators-to-have-full-house-attendance-in-abs-cbn-franchise-hearing-on-feb-24-plenary-session-deferred
UST supports ABS-CBN on franchise renewal, cites their award-winning programs
By Minka Klaudia Tiangco
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) expressed its support for news and entertainment conglomerate ABS-CBN, that is currently facing threats to the extension of their franchise.
In a statement released on Tuesday evening, UST cited ABS-CBN for winning numerous awards for its news, entertainment, and public service programs at the USTv Students’ Choice Awards.
“We offer our prayers for the network to be able to renew its franchise, and we are one with them in their commitment to continue their service to the Filipino people and the global community,” the statement read.
Earlier, Journalism faculty and students of UST released separate statements expressing their support for the broadcast giant, and condemning Solicitor General Jose Calida’s action of asking the Supreme Court (SC) not to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise.
Calida filed a quo warranto petition, which is a legal procedure filed against someone who “usurps, intrudes into, or unlawfully holds or exercises a public office, position, or franchise.”
In a statement, he accused ABS-CBN of allowing foreign investors to take parts in its ownership and broadcasting for a fee.
He also recently asked the SC to issue a gag order to stop ABS-CBN and its representatives from talking about the quo warranto case.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/02/19/ust-supports-abs-cbn-on-franchise-renewal-cites-their-award-winning-programs/
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) expressed its support for news and entertainment conglomerate ABS-CBN, that is currently facing threats to the extension of their franchise.
In a statement released on Tuesday evening, UST cited ABS-CBN for winning numerous awards for its news, entertainment, and public service programs at the USTv Students’ Choice Awards.
“We offer our prayers for the network to be able to renew its franchise, and we are one with them in their commitment to continue their service to the Filipino people and the global community,” the statement read.
Earlier, Journalism faculty and students of UST released separate statements expressing their support for the broadcast giant, and condemning Solicitor General Jose Calida’s action of asking the Supreme Court (SC) not to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise.
Calida filed a quo warranto petition, which is a legal procedure filed against someone who “usurps, intrudes into, or unlawfully holds or exercises a public office, position, or franchise.”
In a statement, he accused ABS-CBN of allowing foreign investors to take parts in its ownership and broadcasting for a fee.
He also recently asked the SC to issue a gag order to stop ABS-CBN and its representatives from talking about the quo warranto case.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/02/19/ust-supports-abs-cbn-on-franchise-renewal-cites-their-award-winning-programs/
Go calls for Congress conscience vote on ABS-CBN franchise
Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go is urging his fellow lawmakers to vote on the franchise renewal of broadcast giant ABS-CBN according to their conscience.
“Once (the franchise renewal) reaches our office here at the Senate, I will decide. I’ve already said it: vote according to your conscience,” Go said yesterday, adding that his conscience is in accordance with the best interests of the Filipino people.
The Office of the Solicitor General has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to revoke the legislative franchises of ABS-CBN Corp. and its subsidiary ABS-CBN Convergence Inc., citing what it described as “highly abusive practices” of the network.
ABS-CBN has denied any wrongdoing.
The Senate committee on public services, chaired by Sen. Grace Poe, is set to hold its first hearing on ABS-CBN’s application for the renewal of its franchise on Feb. 24.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said he counts 17 to 19 senators voting to renew the franchise.
Go said he would participate in the hearing, saying it may be in aid of legislation.
“Maybe, that’s the proper forum to hear both sides. We will listen to whomever wants to speak, whomever wants to complain... I might also ask some questions,” he added.
The senator said any legislative action regarding franchise bills must emanate from the House of Representatives, according to the law; thus, the lower chamber should immediately tackle the franchise application with congressmen also voting according to their own conscience.
“The longer we prolong the application, the hotter the issue becomes. Talk it among yourselves. That’s the process, anyway, and then send it here to the Senate and the President will decide, and let him approve it or exercise his veto power,” he said.
The senator added that he recently spoke with Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on the issue, and the latter told him that the franchise application was a priority of the House, but there were many other applications lined up.
Go said he would make his decision when the franchise documents reach the Senate even as he vowed to be impartial and fair in casting his vote on the application.
Despite Duterte’s rants against the network, it does not mean he does not want its franchise to be renewed, according to the former special assistant to the President.
“(The President has) been very vocal with his grievances, but he has not ordered anyone, even me who’s close to the President. He always says vote according to your conscience and prioritize the interest of Filipinos,” Go said.
Provisional permit
Meanwhile, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) would do well if it issues a provisional permit for ABS-CBN to continue operating if and when Congress fails to act on the broadcast network’s application for the renewal of its franchise, which expires on March 30, according to the senator.
Go prodded the House to quickly act on the network’s franchise application so that the same can be forwarded to the Senate for deliberation.
“There have been many previous cases like this that were also handled by the NTC where while the renewal is still being processed, (it lets broadcast networks) operate until they are approved, like the case of the CBCP (Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines),” he told reporters.
The senator said he learned that the NTC has sought a legal opinion from the Department of Justice on the matter, apparently because the matter of ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal has become a “hot” issue.
“The usual practice is that the NTC allows them to operate, but I think this time, they’re reluctant to decide on their own,” he added.
‘Confused’
Meanwhile, Malacañang yesterday described as “confused” lawmakers pushing for a resolution which states that broadcast giant ABS-CBN could still operate even after its franchise expires in March.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said lawmakers could just pass a law extending all franchises pending in Congress if they are inclined to act favorably on bills renewing ABS-CBN’s franchise.
“They are confused. One lawmaker is saying he needs a resolution from the House that ABS-CBN can still operate even beyond the expiration because the practice is (a network can operate) as long as there is a pending (franchise bill),” Panelo said in a chance interview.
“My response to that is why not just pass a law extending it? While the franchise bills are pending, they can pass a law that says that, there is an extension for this period of time,” he added.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon had earlier filed Joint Resolution 11, which extends the franchise of ABS-CBN until Dec. 31, 2022.
In the resolution, Drilon said both the Senate and the House of Representatives need additional time to review, assess and determine whether ABS-CBN should be granted the renewal of its franchise.
Panelo said President Duterte, who had vowed to make sure that ABS-CBN would be “out,” would not stop Congress from renewing the network’s franchise.
“As matter of principle he does not interfere with a co-equal branch,” the Palace spokesman said.
Panelo was also puzzled as to why some lawmakers insist on adhering to a practice of allowing a network to operate even if its franchise had lapsed.
“They said that’s the practice. I cannot understand them. Why would they adhere to a practice? Just pass a law extending it. It’s that simple,” he told Radyo Singko 92.3 FM yesterday.
“Even if they say it’s the practice, it doesn’t mean that it’s the law. It’s the practice because nobody is questioning it. What if somebody questions it?” he added.
Go also questioned Drilon’s joint resolution.
“Why a joint resolution? Why not just approve or disapprove the franchise renewal? Why Dec. 31, 2022? Is there politics here?” he said. “It’s either we approve or we deny or reject.”
Robredo condemns gag order
Vice President Leni Robredo yesterday condemned the petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida asking the SC to prohibit ABS-CBN and its representatives from discussing the merits of the quo warranto case which he filed against the broadcast network.
“First and foremost, the freedom of expression is primordial,” Robredo said in an interview in Quezon City.
“And what’s hilarious is that he’s seeking a gag order against the media. It’s very ironic because we expect the media to provide information to the public, yet they are the ones who are prohibited from speaking,” she added.
Robredo said Calida’s move to suppress freedom of expression would affect not only the media company, but all Filipinos in general.
“It has implications on all of us. If it can suppress a media company like ABS-CBN through this means, then who are safe from this kind of harassment?” the Vice President said.
On Tuesday, Calida filed a “very urgent motion” asking the SC to issue a gag order which bans “parties and persons acting on their behalf” from releasing statements discussing the merits of his plea to forfeit ABS-CBN’s existing franchise.
He said this violates the sub judice rule, which prohibits anyone from publicly assessing an ongoing case to avoid pre-judgment.
Bato apologizes
In a related development, Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa apologized to the 11,000 employees of ABS-CBN who felt offended when he compared their concern with that of the entire nation.
Dela Rosa said the issue of the ABS-CBN franchise is not about its employees but oligarchs who have disregarded the rule of law for a long time now.
He also claimed that there are only about 3,000 regular employees of ABS-CBN and the number 11,000 may have included their families.
“I’m sorry if you felt offended. It’s not that I don’t value their jobs. I consider the entire nation, ABS-CBN employees included,” Dela Rosa said in Filipino.
“We can’t just ignore wrongdoings because of compassion. We will not allow those who violate the law. We will not allow these oligarchs to take advantage of us because we are poor. We should be fair and not because we are poor, they will put one over us,” he added.
The point, according to the senator, is “not because we pity those 11,000 employees, we will allow a TV station to violate laws and the government will just turn a blind eye on the violation.”
Dela Rosa said he is supportive of Poe’s initiative to conduct a public hearing on the ABS-CBN franchise to discuss the alleged violations.
He also gave assurance that in the event the senators fail to find any violation, he will personally talk to Duterte to convince him to approve the franchise.
“A public hearing is really necessary. If during the hearing, we establish that ABS-CBN is a saint, not a sinner, I will personally push for their franchise renewal. I will also personally tell the President, ‘Sir, it seems wrong information reaches you, this is the correct information.’ Only the truth should prevail,” he said.
If proven that they have violated the law, however, Dela Rosa said ABS-CBN should face the consequence of their action.
On the call for his resignation, the senator said he was voted to office by more than 19 million and those calling for his resignation were not among them.
On the accusation of some netizens that he was being a blind follower of the President, Dela Rosa said that his pronouncement that he would swim or sink with Duterte should not be taken against him as he pointed out that the President’s primary concern is the plight of the Filipino people.
“It’s logic. I am loyal to the President because I can see that his loyalty is with the Filipino people. Where should I put my loyalty, to oligarchs?” he said. – With Alexis Romero, Helen Flores, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Delon Porcalla, Louella Desiderio, EvelynMacairan
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/02/20/1994664/go-calls-congress-conscience-vote-abs-cbn-franchise
“Once (the franchise renewal) reaches our office here at the Senate, I will decide. I’ve already said it: vote according to your conscience,” Go said yesterday, adding that his conscience is in accordance with the best interests of the Filipino people.
The Office of the Solicitor General has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to revoke the legislative franchises of ABS-CBN Corp. and its subsidiary ABS-CBN Convergence Inc., citing what it described as “highly abusive practices” of the network.
ABS-CBN has denied any wrongdoing.
The Senate committee on public services, chaired by Sen. Grace Poe, is set to hold its first hearing on ABS-CBN’s application for the renewal of its franchise on Feb. 24.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said he counts 17 to 19 senators voting to renew the franchise.
Go said he would participate in the hearing, saying it may be in aid of legislation.
“Maybe, that’s the proper forum to hear both sides. We will listen to whomever wants to speak, whomever wants to complain... I might also ask some questions,” he added.
The senator said any legislative action regarding franchise bills must emanate from the House of Representatives, according to the law; thus, the lower chamber should immediately tackle the franchise application with congressmen also voting according to their own conscience.
“The longer we prolong the application, the hotter the issue becomes. Talk it among yourselves. That’s the process, anyway, and then send it here to the Senate and the President will decide, and let him approve it or exercise his veto power,” he said.
The senator added that he recently spoke with Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on the issue, and the latter told him that the franchise application was a priority of the House, but there were many other applications lined up.
Go said he would make his decision when the franchise documents reach the Senate even as he vowed to be impartial and fair in casting his vote on the application.
Despite Duterte’s rants against the network, it does not mean he does not want its franchise to be renewed, according to the former special assistant to the President.
“(The President has) been very vocal with his grievances, but he has not ordered anyone, even me who’s close to the President. He always says vote according to your conscience and prioritize the interest of Filipinos,” Go said.
Provisional permit
Meanwhile, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) would do well if it issues a provisional permit for ABS-CBN to continue operating if and when Congress fails to act on the broadcast network’s application for the renewal of its franchise, which expires on March 30, according to the senator.
Go prodded the House to quickly act on the network’s franchise application so that the same can be forwarded to the Senate for deliberation.
“There have been many previous cases like this that were also handled by the NTC where while the renewal is still being processed, (it lets broadcast networks) operate until they are approved, like the case of the CBCP (Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines),” he told reporters.
The senator said he learned that the NTC has sought a legal opinion from the Department of Justice on the matter, apparently because the matter of ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal has become a “hot” issue.
“The usual practice is that the NTC allows them to operate, but I think this time, they’re reluctant to decide on their own,” he added.
‘Confused’
Meanwhile, Malacañang yesterday described as “confused” lawmakers pushing for a resolution which states that broadcast giant ABS-CBN could still operate even after its franchise expires in March.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said lawmakers could just pass a law extending all franchises pending in Congress if they are inclined to act favorably on bills renewing ABS-CBN’s franchise.
“They are confused. One lawmaker is saying he needs a resolution from the House that ABS-CBN can still operate even beyond the expiration because the practice is (a network can operate) as long as there is a pending (franchise bill),” Panelo said in a chance interview.
“My response to that is why not just pass a law extending it? While the franchise bills are pending, they can pass a law that says that, there is an extension for this period of time,” he added.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon had earlier filed Joint Resolution 11, which extends the franchise of ABS-CBN until Dec. 31, 2022.
In the resolution, Drilon said both the Senate and the House of Representatives need additional time to review, assess and determine whether ABS-CBN should be granted the renewal of its franchise.
Panelo said President Duterte, who had vowed to make sure that ABS-CBN would be “out,” would not stop Congress from renewing the network’s franchise.
“As matter of principle he does not interfere with a co-equal branch,” the Palace spokesman said.
Panelo was also puzzled as to why some lawmakers insist on adhering to a practice of allowing a network to operate even if its franchise had lapsed.
“They said that’s the practice. I cannot understand them. Why would they adhere to a practice? Just pass a law extending it. It’s that simple,” he told Radyo Singko 92.3 FM yesterday.
“Even if they say it’s the practice, it doesn’t mean that it’s the law. It’s the practice because nobody is questioning it. What if somebody questions it?” he added.
Go also questioned Drilon’s joint resolution.
“Why a joint resolution? Why not just approve or disapprove the franchise renewal? Why Dec. 31, 2022? Is there politics here?” he said. “It’s either we approve or we deny or reject.”
Robredo condemns gag order
Vice President Leni Robredo yesterday condemned the petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida asking the SC to prohibit ABS-CBN and its representatives from discussing the merits of the quo warranto case which he filed against the broadcast network.
“First and foremost, the freedom of expression is primordial,” Robredo said in an interview in Quezon City.
“And what’s hilarious is that he’s seeking a gag order against the media. It’s very ironic because we expect the media to provide information to the public, yet they are the ones who are prohibited from speaking,” she added.
Robredo said Calida’s move to suppress freedom of expression would affect not only the media company, but all Filipinos in general.
“It has implications on all of us. If it can suppress a media company like ABS-CBN through this means, then who are safe from this kind of harassment?” the Vice President said.
On Tuesday, Calida filed a “very urgent motion” asking the SC to issue a gag order which bans “parties and persons acting on their behalf” from releasing statements discussing the merits of his plea to forfeit ABS-CBN’s existing franchise.
He said this violates the sub judice rule, which prohibits anyone from publicly assessing an ongoing case to avoid pre-judgment.
Bato apologizes
In a related development, Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa apologized to the 11,000 employees of ABS-CBN who felt offended when he compared their concern with that of the entire nation.
Dela Rosa said the issue of the ABS-CBN franchise is not about its employees but oligarchs who have disregarded the rule of law for a long time now.
He also claimed that there are only about 3,000 regular employees of ABS-CBN and the number 11,000 may have included their families.
“I’m sorry if you felt offended. It’s not that I don’t value their jobs. I consider the entire nation, ABS-CBN employees included,” Dela Rosa said in Filipino.
“We can’t just ignore wrongdoings because of compassion. We will not allow those who violate the law. We will not allow these oligarchs to take advantage of us because we are poor. We should be fair and not because we are poor, they will put one over us,” he added.
The point, according to the senator, is “not because we pity those 11,000 employees, we will allow a TV station to violate laws and the government will just turn a blind eye on the violation.”
Dela Rosa said he is supportive of Poe’s initiative to conduct a public hearing on the ABS-CBN franchise to discuss the alleged violations.
He also gave assurance that in the event the senators fail to find any violation, he will personally talk to Duterte to convince him to approve the franchise.
“A public hearing is really necessary. If during the hearing, we establish that ABS-CBN is a saint, not a sinner, I will personally push for their franchise renewal. I will also personally tell the President, ‘Sir, it seems wrong information reaches you, this is the correct information.’ Only the truth should prevail,” he said.
If proven that they have violated the law, however, Dela Rosa said ABS-CBN should face the consequence of their action.
On the call for his resignation, the senator said he was voted to office by more than 19 million and those calling for his resignation were not among them.
On the accusation of some netizens that he was being a blind follower of the President, Dela Rosa said that his pronouncement that he would swim or sink with Duterte should not be taken against him as he pointed out that the President’s primary concern is the plight of the Filipino people.
“It’s logic. I am loyal to the President because I can see that his loyalty is with the Filipino people. Where should I put my loyalty, to oligarchs?” he said. – With Alexis Romero, Helen Flores, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Delon Porcalla, Louella Desiderio, EvelynMacairan
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/02/20/1994664/go-calls-congress-conscience-vote-abs-cbn-franchise
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Solons deny ‘pressure’ from House leaders amid ABS-CBN franchise issue
Several lawmakers denied claims that the leaders of the House of Representatives are pushing those who signed a resolution pressing for immediate action on ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal to withdraw their signatures.
Citing “verified reports,” Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman on Tuesday said House leaders have been asking signatories to withdraw their support to House Resolution (HR) No. 639 that urges the House committee on legislative franchises to “report out without further delay for plenary action” a consolidated version of the bills on ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.
But Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, one of the lawmakers who signed the resolution, said that nobody approached him to withdraw his support of the resolution.
“It’s not true. I’m a signatory, nobody has approached me to withdraw and I continue to stick with my signature,” Rodriguez told reporters when asked about the alleged pressure.
Rodriguez said he was hesitant at first to sign the resolution as he wants to give Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, who chairs the legislative franchises committee, more time.
“But because there’s no action, I am now compelled to sign already to take it out from the committee and hear it in the plenary,” Rodriguez said.
Likewise, Isabela Rep. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano, who serves as vice-chairperson of the legislative franchises committee, denied the allegations, but said that members of the House have the right to withdraw their own signatures “due to their own cognizance or self enlightenment.”
“I surmise that the reason for them to withdraw their signatures on their own without pressure from the leadership was because they might have realized the negativity in them signing the said petition or resolution,” Albano said in a statement on Tuesday.
Albano listed possible reasons for the withdrawal of signature of some lawmakers such as the realization that they are “shooting themselves in their own foot” by signing the resolution.
“In signing this resolution as members of the majority leadership in the committee of franchise, they are actually saying that they are not doing their job as members of the said committee,” Albano said.
“When truly, they are part of the committee that has been doing a lot of hard to goodness work. Therefore suddenly, some realizes that It doesn’t make sense for them to sign the said resolution and still be with the majority,” he added.
Further, another possible reason Albano cited was the lawmakers’ realization that they will create a bad precedent if they sign the resolution.
“That being chairpersons and members of their own committees apart from the franchise committee, they would be hurt if we also suddenly do it to them and short cut the process just because we have gathered enough signatures and take away the committee’s right to calendar the case in their own time frame, hear the case, and promulgate a decision,” Albano said.
Likewise, Bulacan Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado, one of the vice chairpersons of the legislative franchises committee, denied the claims.
“Wala namang pinepressure sa usaping ganyan pero hindi natin alam sa side nila, baka naman may ilang nakausap sa side nila pero sa side ng majority ay walang pine-pressure ang majority,” Sy-Alvarado told reporters.
(There is no one being pressured but we do not know on their side, maybe they had talked to someone on their side, but in the side of the majority the majority is pressuring no one.)
As of February 17, Lagman said HR 639 has been signed by nearly 100 lawmakers — including eight deputy speakers.
INQUIRER.net has reached out to Lagman for an updated number of signatories but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1230805/solons-deny-pressure-from-house-leaders-amid-abs-cbn-franchise-issue
Citing “verified reports,” Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman on Tuesday said House leaders have been asking signatories to withdraw their support to House Resolution (HR) No. 639 that urges the House committee on legislative franchises to “report out without further delay for plenary action” a consolidated version of the bills on ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.
But Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, one of the lawmakers who signed the resolution, said that nobody approached him to withdraw his support of the resolution.
“It’s not true. I’m a signatory, nobody has approached me to withdraw and I continue to stick with my signature,” Rodriguez told reporters when asked about the alleged pressure.
Rodriguez said he was hesitant at first to sign the resolution as he wants to give Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, who chairs the legislative franchises committee, more time.
“But because there’s no action, I am now compelled to sign already to take it out from the committee and hear it in the plenary,” Rodriguez said.
Likewise, Isabela Rep. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano, who serves as vice-chairperson of the legislative franchises committee, denied the allegations, but said that members of the House have the right to withdraw their own signatures “due to their own cognizance or self enlightenment.”
“I surmise that the reason for them to withdraw their signatures on their own without pressure from the leadership was because they might have realized the negativity in them signing the said petition or resolution,” Albano said in a statement on Tuesday.
Albano listed possible reasons for the withdrawal of signature of some lawmakers such as the realization that they are “shooting themselves in their own foot” by signing the resolution.
“In signing this resolution as members of the majority leadership in the committee of franchise, they are actually saying that they are not doing their job as members of the said committee,” Albano said.
“When truly, they are part of the committee that has been doing a lot of hard to goodness work. Therefore suddenly, some realizes that It doesn’t make sense for them to sign the said resolution and still be with the majority,” he added.
Further, another possible reason Albano cited was the lawmakers’ realization that they will create a bad precedent if they sign the resolution.
“That being chairpersons and members of their own committees apart from the franchise committee, they would be hurt if we also suddenly do it to them and short cut the process just because we have gathered enough signatures and take away the committee’s right to calendar the case in their own time frame, hear the case, and promulgate a decision,” Albano said.
Likewise, Bulacan Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado, one of the vice chairpersons of the legislative franchises committee, denied the claims.
“Wala namang pinepressure sa usaping ganyan pero hindi natin alam sa side nila, baka naman may ilang nakausap sa side nila pero sa side ng majority ay walang pine-pressure ang majority,” Sy-Alvarado told reporters.
(There is no one being pressured but we do not know on their side, maybe they had talked to someone on their side, but in the side of the majority the majority is pressuring no one.)
As of February 17, Lagman said HR 639 has been signed by nearly 100 lawmakers — including eight deputy speakers.
INQUIRER.net has reached out to Lagman for an updated number of signatories but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1230805/solons-deny-pressure-from-house-leaders-amid-abs-cbn-franchise-issue
11 municipalities in BARMM will receive IRA
LANAO DEL SUR: Eleven municipalities in the Bangasamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will receive their Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) shares. Abdullah Cusain, assistant executive secretary of the Office of the Chief Minister, announced this during the “Kapihan sa Bangsamoro” held last Tuesday in Cotabato City. The 11 municipalities are Datu Salibo, Datu Hoffer, Mangudadatu, Pandag, Northern Kabuntalan, Datu Blah Sinsuat and Datu Anggal Midtimbang in Maguindanao; and Akbar, Al-Barka, Hadji Muhtamad and Mohammad Ajul in Basilan. The municipalities had previously failed to meet the requirements needed in receiving IRA during the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Article VI, Section 10 of the Bangsamoro Organic Law states that “the municipalities or barangay (villages) created, divided, merged or whose boundaries are substantially altered, shall be entitled to their appropriate share in the national taxes or Internal Revenue Allotment: Provided that it shall be approved by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite in the political units directly affected.”
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/02/19/news/regions/11-municipalities-in-barmm-will-receive-ira/689421/
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/02/19/news/regions/11-municipalities-in-barmm-will-receive-ira/689421/
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Atienza to colleagues: Act on franchise or resign
By Raymund Antonio
Buhay Representative Lito Atienza on Tuesday asked his colleagues in Congress to act now on the franchise renewal application of media giant ABS-CBN Corp. or step down from their posts.
Speaking to media at the weekly Pandesal Forum in Quezon City, Atienza said that lawmakers should fulfill their mandate instead of leaving the matter to the Supreme Court.
“I’m defending the position that Congress must function. We must take up the franchise, whether you’re for or against is not material to me,” he said.
“I don’t want ABS-CBN to close down without Congress voting for it,” he stressed.
Atienza is not convinced his fellow lawmakers are still too busy with other concerns for them to tackle bills renewing the ABS-CBN’s franchise.
The partylist lawmaker called out House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, for refusing to work on the franchise renewal.
“That’s despicable, condemnable when Congress says we can’t handle a very important matter because we have to attend to so many things. There are many congressmen who want to work,” he said.
The broadcast network’s 25-year legislative franchise is set to expire on March 30.
Cayetano, however, assured that ABS-CBN can operate way past the expiration date as long as the 18th Congress has not yet adjourned.
His assurance was in contrast to the reaction of Atienza, who called it just the House leader’s “razzle dazzle game.”
“They are made to believe that you only need now is a special permit and you can continue. Speaker Cayetano said they are good up to 2022, that’s not legally tenable. If you don’t have a franchise, your license is expired,” he said.
Former congressman Renato Diaz, who was also a guest in the media forum, shared the same view, saying that it’s ”game over” for ABS-CBN if it fails to get its franchise renewed in Congress.
“Can anybody air without a franchise? The answer is no. In the name of press freedom, no,” he said.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/02/18/atienza-to-colleagues-act-on-franchise-or-resign/
Buhay Representative Lito Atienza on Tuesday asked his colleagues in Congress to act now on the franchise renewal application of media giant ABS-CBN Corp. or step down from their posts.
Speaking to media at the weekly Pandesal Forum in Quezon City, Atienza said that lawmakers should fulfill their mandate instead of leaving the matter to the Supreme Court.
“I’m defending the position that Congress must function. We must take up the franchise, whether you’re for or against is not material to me,” he said.
“I don’t want ABS-CBN to close down without Congress voting for it,” he stressed.
Atienza is not convinced his fellow lawmakers are still too busy with other concerns for them to tackle bills renewing the ABS-CBN’s franchise.
The partylist lawmaker called out House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, for refusing to work on the franchise renewal.
“That’s despicable, condemnable when Congress says we can’t handle a very important matter because we have to attend to so many things. There are many congressmen who want to work,” he said.
The broadcast network’s 25-year legislative franchise is set to expire on March 30.
Cayetano, however, assured that ABS-CBN can operate way past the expiration date as long as the 18th Congress has not yet adjourned.
His assurance was in contrast to the reaction of Atienza, who called it just the House leader’s “razzle dazzle game.”
“They are made to believe that you only need now is a special permit and you can continue. Speaker Cayetano said they are good up to 2022, that’s not legally tenable. If you don’t have a franchise, your license is expired,” he said.
Former congressman Renato Diaz, who was also a guest in the media forum, shared the same view, saying that it’s ”game over” for ABS-CBN if it fails to get its franchise renewed in Congress.
“Can anybody air without a franchise? The answer is no. In the name of press freedom, no,” he said.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/02/18/atienza-to-colleagues-act-on-franchise-or-resign/
Business groups call for ABS-CBN franchise renewal
The business groups note the critical role of a free press in economic development
Four of the biggest business groups in the Philippines called on Congress to act on bills filed by several lawmakers to renew the broadcasting franchise of media giant ABS-CBN.
The Makati Business Club, Institute of Corporate Directors, Institute for Solidarity in Asia, and Management Association of the Philippines issued a joint statement on Tuesday, February 18, asking the legislature for "balanced, fair, and timely consideration" of the moves to keep ABS-CBN on-air.
The groups also pointed out the media's role in the economy.
"We fervently urge Congress to judiciously address any issues raised against the company while taking serious account of the bedrock issues of media freedom and free enterprise, which allow businesses to flourish for the overall welfare of our economy and our people," they said.
President Rodrigo Duterte claims that ABS-CBN did not air his political ads in 2016, and even suggested that the network "sell" to a white knight investor.
The House of Representatives has yet to act on franchise renewal measures, with Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano openly stating that he did not like ABS-CBN's coverage of the 2016 elections. Cayetano ran but lost in the vice presidential race then. (READ: Gerald Anderson as Alan Peter Cayetano)
Bills seeking to renew the franchise for another 25 years were first filed in 2014, but remained pending at the committee level.
Solicitor General Jose Calida has filed a quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN, claiming the network violated the Constitution by using Philippine Depositary Receipts, a legal financial instrument.
https://www.rappler.com/business/252102-groups-call-for-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal
Four of the biggest business groups in the Philippines called on Congress to act on bills filed by several lawmakers to renew the broadcasting franchise of media giant ABS-CBN.
The Makati Business Club, Institute of Corporate Directors, Institute for Solidarity in Asia, and Management Association of the Philippines issued a joint statement on Tuesday, February 18, asking the legislature for "balanced, fair, and timely consideration" of the moves to keep ABS-CBN on-air.
The groups also pointed out the media's role in the economy.
"We fervently urge Congress to judiciously address any issues raised against the company while taking serious account of the bedrock issues of media freedom and free enterprise, which allow businesses to flourish for the overall welfare of our economy and our people," they said.
President Rodrigo Duterte claims that ABS-CBN did not air his political ads in 2016, and even suggested that the network "sell" to a white knight investor.
The House of Representatives has yet to act on franchise renewal measures, with Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano openly stating that he did not like ABS-CBN's coverage of the 2016 elections. Cayetano ran but lost in the vice presidential race then. (READ: Gerald Anderson as Alan Peter Cayetano)
Bills seeking to renew the franchise for another 25 years were first filed in 2014, but remained pending at the committee level.
Solicitor General Jose Calida has filed a quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN, claiming the network violated the Constitution by using Philippine Depositary Receipts, a legal financial instrument.
https://www.rappler.com/business/252102-groups-call-for-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal
Talent managers, KBP back calls to renew ABS-CBN franchise
More industry organizations have spoken up in favor of the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise, days after the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) filed a quo warranto petition which appears to seek the revocation of the company's broadcasting operations.
Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC), a group of professional and active entertainment journalists of newspapers, magazines, and tabloids, bloggers/vloggers, online influencers, and radio/TV/online reporters, has voiced concern over the possible loss of jobs should renewal of the media company’s franchise be rejected or approved.
“We are one in calling on Congress to reconsider the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, which is set to expire on March this year. We fully believe in upholding the freedom of the press and of expression in our motherland, the Philippines,” said PMPC in its statement.
Professional Artist Managers, Inc. (PAMI), meanwhile emphasized the public service that ABS-CBN renders to Filipinos in need.
“More than anything, ABS-CBN brings joy to millions of viewers, and delivers relief to thousands of beneficiaries during typhoons, flash floods, and volcanic eruptions, among others. They also provide a safe space for abused children, aside from reporting vital information and news to the public here and abroad,” said PAMI.
The group of talent managers also called on the government and the Congress to be fair and to consider the effects if ABS-CBN is shut down.
On the other hand, Directors’ Guild of the Philippines, Inc. (DGPI), an organization comprised of top Filipino feature-length filmmakers, is “deeply concerned” about the OSG’s quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN.
“Like cinema, press freedom plays a vanguard role in society: not only is it meant to communicate and disseminate information, but it also plays the crucial role of being a mirror to its audience, and making us face and question our cultural ills,” DGPI’s board of directors said in a statement.
“As filmmakers, let us advocate for democracy and denounce any attempt to silence media and cultural entities that are critical of power,” it added.
Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) has also reiterated its support for ABS-CBN, saying the Kapamilya network works “hand in hand” with the KBP members in upholding broadcast responsibilities and initiating industry reforms.
The OSG recently filed a quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court to nullify the franchise of ABS-CBN.
ABS-CBN, however, refuted the allegations, saying these were “without merit,” and strongly maintained that it “did not violate the law” and that the move appears to be an “attempt to deprive Filipinos of the services of ABS-CBN.”
https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2020/02/18/1994140/talent-managers-kbp-back-calls-renew-abs-cbn-franchise
Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC), a group of professional and active entertainment journalists of newspapers, magazines, and tabloids, bloggers/vloggers, online influencers, and radio/TV/online reporters, has voiced concern over the possible loss of jobs should renewal of the media company’s franchise be rejected or approved.
“We are one in calling on Congress to reconsider the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, which is set to expire on March this year. We fully believe in upholding the freedom of the press and of expression in our motherland, the Philippines,” said PMPC in its statement.
Professional Artist Managers, Inc. (PAMI), meanwhile emphasized the public service that ABS-CBN renders to Filipinos in need.
“More than anything, ABS-CBN brings joy to millions of viewers, and delivers relief to thousands of beneficiaries during typhoons, flash floods, and volcanic eruptions, among others. They also provide a safe space for abused children, aside from reporting vital information and news to the public here and abroad,” said PAMI.
The group of talent managers also called on the government and the Congress to be fair and to consider the effects if ABS-CBN is shut down.
On the other hand, Directors’ Guild of the Philippines, Inc. (DGPI), an organization comprised of top Filipino feature-length filmmakers, is “deeply concerned” about the OSG’s quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN.
“Like cinema, press freedom plays a vanguard role in society: not only is it meant to communicate and disseminate information, but it also plays the crucial role of being a mirror to its audience, and making us face and question our cultural ills,” DGPI’s board of directors said in a statement.
“As filmmakers, let us advocate for democracy and denounce any attempt to silence media and cultural entities that are critical of power,” it added.
Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) has also reiterated its support for ABS-CBN, saying the Kapamilya network works “hand in hand” with the KBP members in upholding broadcast responsibilities and initiating industry reforms.
The OSG recently filed a quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court to nullify the franchise of ABS-CBN.
ABS-CBN, however, refuted the allegations, saying these were “without merit,” and strongly maintained that it “did not violate the law” and that the move appears to be an “attempt to deprive Filipinos of the services of ABS-CBN.”
https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2020/02/18/1994140/talent-managers-kbp-back-calls-renew-abs-cbn-franchise
Biz groups call for 'balanced, fair, timely' deliberation on ABS-CBN franchise
Four business groups on Tuesday called for a "balanced, fair, and timely" deliberation on bills filed on Congress to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN Corp.
In a joint statement, the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA), the Makati Business Club (MBC), and the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) urged Congress to take into consideration freedom of the press.
"We the undersigned business organizations express our strong support for a balanced, fair, and timely consideration of the bills filed by several lawmakers on the renewal of ABS-CBN Corporation's broadcasting franchise," the statement read.
"We fervently urge Congress to judiciously address any issues raised against the company while taking serious account of the bedrock issues of media freedom and free enterprise, which allow businesses to flourish for the overall welfare of our economy and our people," it added.
Earlier this month, the government — led by Solicitor General Jose Calida — filed a quo warranto petition against the broadcast network and asked the Supreme Court to drop the franchise of ABS-CBN Corp. and its subsidiary ABS-CBN Convergence Inc.
"We want to put an end to what we discovered to be highly abusive practices of ABS-CBN benefitting a greedy few at the expense of millions of its loyal subscribers. These practices have gone unnoticed or were disregarded for years," Calida said in a statement.
ABS-CBN lost P258.593 million in market capitalization after trading closed that day.
The petition was filed even as the company's franchise granted by Congress was set to expire in March, with bills seeking to renew the franchise still pending.
For its part, ABS-CBN maintained that it did not violate the law, contrary to claims made by Calida, slamming the petition as "ill-timed."
Malacañang has since denied having a hand in the government's petition, with presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo saying President Rodrigo Duterte had "nothing to do" with the legal action.
Duterte had consistently threatened to oppose the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise, as he claimed the network did not air political advertisements during the 2016 election campaign which were already paid for.
Meanwhile, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday claimed the issue with the ABS-CBN franchise is not about press freedom, as he said ABS-CBN supposedly took sides and favored certain candidates during the 2010 and 2016 elections. —KBK, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/726384/biz-groups-call-for-balanced-fair-timely-deliberation-on-abs-cbn-franchise/story/
In a joint statement, the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA), the Makati Business Club (MBC), and the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) urged Congress to take into consideration freedom of the press.
"We the undersigned business organizations express our strong support for a balanced, fair, and timely consideration of the bills filed by several lawmakers on the renewal of ABS-CBN Corporation's broadcasting franchise," the statement read.
"We fervently urge Congress to judiciously address any issues raised against the company while taking serious account of the bedrock issues of media freedom and free enterprise, which allow businesses to flourish for the overall welfare of our economy and our people," it added.
Earlier this month, the government — led by Solicitor General Jose Calida — filed a quo warranto petition against the broadcast network and asked the Supreme Court to drop the franchise of ABS-CBN Corp. and its subsidiary ABS-CBN Convergence Inc.
"We want to put an end to what we discovered to be highly abusive practices of ABS-CBN benefitting a greedy few at the expense of millions of its loyal subscribers. These practices have gone unnoticed or were disregarded for years," Calida said in a statement.
ABS-CBN lost P258.593 million in market capitalization after trading closed that day.
The petition was filed even as the company's franchise granted by Congress was set to expire in March, with bills seeking to renew the franchise still pending.
For its part, ABS-CBN maintained that it did not violate the law, contrary to claims made by Calida, slamming the petition as "ill-timed."
Malacañang has since denied having a hand in the government's petition, with presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo saying President Rodrigo Duterte had "nothing to do" with the legal action.
Duterte had consistently threatened to oppose the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise, as he claimed the network did not air political advertisements during the 2016 election campaign which were already paid for.
Meanwhile, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday claimed the issue with the ABS-CBN franchise is not about press freedom, as he said ABS-CBN supposedly took sides and favored certain candidates during the 2010 and 2016 elections. —KBK, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/726384/biz-groups-call-for-balanced-fair-timely-deliberation-on-abs-cbn-franchise/story/
Quo warranto plea vs ABS-CBN franchise catches attention of int'l media
It's not just in the Philippines where the quo warranto petition seeking to revoke ABS-CBN's franchise and prevent it from airing is being talked about.
The discussion has reached other countries, with the move seen as President Rodrigo Duterte's worst attack against the press.
International broadcaster Al Jazeera English devoted a whole episode of its Inside Story program to the issue, with former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, UP journalism professor Danilo Arao and political analyst Richard Heydarian facing off.
Roque and Arao clashed on the issue of whether the President was behind the filing of the petition before the Supreme Court.
Roque believes the quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN will not succeed, calling it a form of prior restraint which is a violation of press freedom.
"My prediction is, because it is in the nature of prior restraint, it will not prosper. The jurisprudence in the Philippines recognizes completely freedom of the press. Governments may try to suppress it but the courts will never uphold any infringement on freedom of the press," he said.
Arao, however, noted: "We have to ask ourselves who controls the Supreme Court right now. On paper, we have laws protecting freedom of speech and other basic freedoms. We may be the freest press in Asia, or one of the freest in Asia but we’re one of the most dangerous places in the world to practice journalism."
Arao said other media organizations in the Philippines also experience harassment and face multiple cases, which Rappler CEO Maria Ressa believes are part of the Philippine government's attempt to control the media.
"Anytime someone wants to control the government, the first step is to control the media," Ressa said.
"This is the 21st Century version of that. But what’s so interesting is you don’t even need to declare Martial Law to try to control media. You hang a Damocles’ sword over owners, their families, you threaten them with legal cases and you can control them this way."
ANC, February 18, 2020
https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/02/18/20/quo-warranto-plea-vs-abs-cbn-franchise-catches-attention-of-intl-media
The discussion has reached other countries, with the move seen as President Rodrigo Duterte's worst attack against the press.
International broadcaster Al Jazeera English devoted a whole episode of its Inside Story program to the issue, with former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, UP journalism professor Danilo Arao and political analyst Richard Heydarian facing off.
Roque and Arao clashed on the issue of whether the President was behind the filing of the petition before the Supreme Court.
Roque believes the quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN will not succeed, calling it a form of prior restraint which is a violation of press freedom.
"My prediction is, because it is in the nature of prior restraint, it will not prosper. The jurisprudence in the Philippines recognizes completely freedom of the press. Governments may try to suppress it but the courts will never uphold any infringement on freedom of the press," he said.
Arao, however, noted: "We have to ask ourselves who controls the Supreme Court right now. On paper, we have laws protecting freedom of speech and other basic freedoms. We may be the freest press in Asia, or one of the freest in Asia but we’re one of the most dangerous places in the world to practice journalism."
Arao said other media organizations in the Philippines also experience harassment and face multiple cases, which Rappler CEO Maria Ressa believes are part of the Philippine government's attempt to control the media.
"Anytime someone wants to control the government, the first step is to control the media," Ressa said.
"This is the 21st Century version of that. But what’s so interesting is you don’t even need to declare Martial Law to try to control media. You hang a Damocles’ sword over owners, their families, you threaten them with legal cases and you can control them this way."
ANC, February 18, 2020
https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/02/18/20/quo-warranto-plea-vs-abs-cbn-franchise-catches-attention-of-intl-media
‘Shaping national consciousness:’ TUA comms dep't urges Congress to renew ABS-CBN franchise
The media and communications department of Trinity University of Asia (TUA) urged Congress on Monday to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN.
“ABS-CBN has been in our national consciousness for many decades now, and this network has contributed in the shaping of the values and aspirations of the Trinitian Community as well as the Filipino citizenry through its programs, shows, and reporting. A national life without ABS-CBN, or an individual life in the absence of this network, is a dark age of the mind and spirit,” the school department said in a statement.
“We urge the members of the House of Representatives, who by democratic definition, are our supposed representatives, to speak for our desires and aspirations, as well as our concerns in all aspects of our social and political life, to act reasonably and dignified in representing our fight for democracy, as well as all the tenets of our freedoms as enshrined in our Bill of Rights as citizens and builders of this nation,” it added.
Read the full statement here:
Online news website Rappler, the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP), and the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines have backed ABS-CBN after Solicitor General Jose Calida sought to void the company's franchise via a "quo warranto" petition.
It has also gained support from reporters covering Malacañang, the defense, police, the Senate and business beats.
In seeking to invalidate ABS-CBN's franchise, the government's top lawyer, Jose Calida, accused the company of "highly abusive practices."
ABS-CBN, however, insists it is compliant with all the laws governing its franchise and has secured necessary permits for its business operations.
"We reiterate that everything we do is in accordance with the law. We did not violate the law. This case appears to be an attempt to deprive Filipinos of the services of ABS-CBN," the company said.
President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly pledged he would stop the broadcast operations of ABS-CBN, which drew his anger for allegedly refusing to air his campaign ad during the 2016 presidential campaign.
In December, Duterte even urged the owners of ABS-CBN to just sell the company, saying he would "see to it that you're out." But Malacañang on Tuesday distanced itself from Calida's moves, saying "the President has nothing to do with it.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/18/20/shaping-national-consciousness-tua-comms-dept-urges-congress-to-renew-abs-cbn-franchise
“ABS-CBN has been in our national consciousness for many decades now, and this network has contributed in the shaping of the values and aspirations of the Trinitian Community as well as the Filipino citizenry through its programs, shows, and reporting. A national life without ABS-CBN, or an individual life in the absence of this network, is a dark age of the mind and spirit,” the school department said in a statement.
“We urge the members of the House of Representatives, who by democratic definition, are our supposed representatives, to speak for our desires and aspirations, as well as our concerns in all aspects of our social and political life, to act reasonably and dignified in representing our fight for democracy, as well as all the tenets of our freedoms as enshrined in our Bill of Rights as citizens and builders of this nation,” it added.
Read the full statement here:
Online news website Rappler, the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP), and the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines have backed ABS-CBN after Solicitor General Jose Calida sought to void the company's franchise via a "quo warranto" petition.
It has also gained support from reporters covering Malacañang, the defense, police, the Senate and business beats.
In seeking to invalidate ABS-CBN's franchise, the government's top lawyer, Jose Calida, accused the company of "highly abusive practices."
ABS-CBN, however, insists it is compliant with all the laws governing its franchise and has secured necessary permits for its business operations.
"We reiterate that everything we do is in accordance with the law. We did not violate the law. This case appears to be an attempt to deprive Filipinos of the services of ABS-CBN," the company said.
President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly pledged he would stop the broadcast operations of ABS-CBN, which drew his anger for allegedly refusing to air his campaign ad during the 2016 presidential campaign.
In December, Duterte even urged the owners of ABS-CBN to just sell the company, saying he would "see to it that you're out." But Malacañang on Tuesday distanced itself from Calida's moves, saying "the President has nothing to do with it.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/18/20/shaping-national-consciousness-tua-comms-dept-urges-congress-to-renew-abs-cbn-franchise
Drilon seeks extension of ABS-CBN franchise
SENATE Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Monday filed a joint resolution that seeks to extend the franchise of ABS-CBN broadcast network up to 2022.
The senator filed Senate Joint Resolution 11 amid uncertainties on the fate of the network, whose 25-year franchise expires on March 30, 2020.
Drilon said the Senate and House of Representatives need more time to review the application for renewal of the corporation’s franchise.
He stressed that Congress needs to review, assess and determine if the network’s franchise should be renewed.
He noted that there are only 12 session days left before Congress adjourns on Mar. 14, 2020.
Drilon moved to extend the validity of the franchise of ABS-CBN until Dec. 31, 2022.
“On March 30, 2020, more than 11,000 employees will go home jobless and millions of viewers will be affected if we do not act on this resolution immediately. I therefore urge for the immediate passage of this resolution,” he said.
On February 10, Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court to forfeit the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN Corp. and its subsidiary, ABS-CBN Convergence, for alleged violations of the terms and conditions of its franchise.
Meanwhile, lawmakers at the House reiterated their call to expedite the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, saying there is no guarantee that the network would continue operations after its franchise expires.
Eleven bills seeking to renew the network’s franchise are pending at the House.
“When the ABS-CBN franchises expire, there is nothing that would prevent any regulatory agency of the government from knocking on the gates of ABS-CBN to serve notices of closure, or cease and desist orders on or immediately after the expiration,” Rep. Lawrence Fortun said.
“Instead of giving ABS-CBN an illusory remedy, the House of Representatives must expedite the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, which has long been pending in the House committee on legislative franchises,” Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said.
Lagman and Fortun authored House Resolution 639 “urging the Committee on Legislative Franchises to report out without further delay for plenary action” the pending bills.
Provisional authority
Both lawmakers said there is no legal anchor or basis for NTC to grant a provisional permit.
“After the franchise expires, it is now entirely within the prerogative of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to issue or not to issue any provisional authority to ABS-CBN,” Fortun said.
Lagman, meanwhile, said the NTC cannot “resurrect” an expired legislative franchise by granting a “provisional authority to operate.”
Joint Concurrent Resolution
Meanwhile, Fortun urged Congress to be clear “clear and categorical in its intention” to allow the extended operation of ABS-CBN pending franchise renewal.
“A House Resolution or, better still, a Joint Concurrent Resolution of both the House and the Senate urging the NTC and other regulatory agencies to give ABS-CBN the provisional authority to continue operating while its application for franchise renewal is still pending in the House, will be in order,” he said.
Cebu City First District Rep. Raul del Mar also prodded Congress to do its job by hearing the ABS-CBN renewal despite the quo warranto petition before the high court. WITH DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/02/18/news/headlines/drilon-seeks-extension-of-abs-cbn-franchise-2/688089/
The senator filed Senate Joint Resolution 11 amid uncertainties on the fate of the network, whose 25-year franchise expires on March 30, 2020.
Drilon said the Senate and House of Representatives need more time to review the application for renewal of the corporation’s franchise.
He stressed that Congress needs to review, assess and determine if the network’s franchise should be renewed.
He noted that there are only 12 session days left before Congress adjourns on Mar. 14, 2020.
Drilon moved to extend the validity of the franchise of ABS-CBN until Dec. 31, 2022.
“On March 30, 2020, more than 11,000 employees will go home jobless and millions of viewers will be affected if we do not act on this resolution immediately. I therefore urge for the immediate passage of this resolution,” he said.
On February 10, Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court to forfeit the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN Corp. and its subsidiary, ABS-CBN Convergence, for alleged violations of the terms and conditions of its franchise.
Meanwhile, lawmakers at the House reiterated their call to expedite the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, saying there is no guarantee that the network would continue operations after its franchise expires.
Eleven bills seeking to renew the network’s franchise are pending at the House.
“When the ABS-CBN franchises expire, there is nothing that would prevent any regulatory agency of the government from knocking on the gates of ABS-CBN to serve notices of closure, or cease and desist orders on or immediately after the expiration,” Rep. Lawrence Fortun said.
“Instead of giving ABS-CBN an illusory remedy, the House of Representatives must expedite the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, which has long been pending in the House committee on legislative franchises,” Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said.
Lagman and Fortun authored House Resolution 639 “urging the Committee on Legislative Franchises to report out without further delay for plenary action” the pending bills.
Provisional authority
Both lawmakers said there is no legal anchor or basis for NTC to grant a provisional permit.
“After the franchise expires, it is now entirely within the prerogative of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to issue or not to issue any provisional authority to ABS-CBN,” Fortun said.
Lagman, meanwhile, said the NTC cannot “resurrect” an expired legislative franchise by granting a “provisional authority to operate.”
Joint Concurrent Resolution
Meanwhile, Fortun urged Congress to be clear “clear and categorical in its intention” to allow the extended operation of ABS-CBN pending franchise renewal.
“A House Resolution or, better still, a Joint Concurrent Resolution of both the House and the Senate urging the NTC and other regulatory agencies to give ABS-CBN the provisional authority to continue operating while its application for franchise renewal is still pending in the House, will be in order,” he said.
Cebu City First District Rep. Raul del Mar also prodded Congress to do its job by hearing the ABS-CBN renewal despite the quo warranto petition before the high court. WITH DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/02/18/news/headlines/drilon-seeks-extension-of-abs-cbn-franchise-2/688089/
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