Hearings on proposals to renew the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN will begin in the House of Representatives next week, with Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano estimating that its approval would be ready by August.
“I foresee that the hearings would not go beyond July, and by August, after President (Rodrigo) Duterte’s SONA (State of the Nation Address), we should be ready to decide,” he said Wednesday.
The President will deliver his SONA before a joint session of the House and the Senate on July 27.
“The deliberations by the committee on legislative franchises will continue during our recess. They will not stop until they are finished so that no one can say we’re stopping the process or dragging our feet,” Cayetano said on ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo channel.
The Speaker pointed out that the committee would look into “no more than 10 issues” in relation to ABS-CBN’s proposed new franchise, including the network’s alleged violations of tax and labor laws, breaches of the terms and conditions of its previous broadcast privilege, and Filipino ownership and foreign citizenship issues.
He said the committee on legislative franchises would have “full autonomy” while he and other House leaders focus on bills to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and post-lockdown measures such as economic stimulus proposals.
“We will have to multitask,” Cayetano said.
The Speaker said the committee would most likely hold two to three hearings a week.
He said some witnesses and resource persons would be required to physically appear before the committee, provided social distancing and other health protocols are observed.
Other hearings would have to be conducted via videoconference, he added.
The committee on legislative franchises, chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, is scheduled to meet later Thursday to agree on the details of its hearing schedule and other matters.
Cayetano reiterated that the House is committed to conducting impartial and comprehensive hearings on the proposed franchise.
Shortly before his interview, he addressed his colleagues and spelled out ground rules for the consideration of the ABS-CBN franchise and the eventual vote.
“First, we must not forget our bigger concern, which is to defeat COVID-19 and provide hope to our countrymen. We must continue to focus on measures that will ensure saving of lives and livelihood of our countrymen,” he said.
“Second, as I’ve said time and again, the hearings must be fair, impartial, comprehensive, and thorough. All voices must be heard and all issues for and against will be discussed…this will require a lot of time--time we do not have. And so, there will be sacrifices on our part if we hope to finish this without delay,” he said.
“Three, that we all vote according to our conscience and not our politics. For those who are calling for an outright approval or denial, I ask that you suspend your extreme views until all the facts have been presented, and all the testimonies have been heard,” he said.
A minority bloc in the House urged their colleagues to make a common stand on the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)'s cease and desist order issued to shut down the operations of radio-TV network ABS-CBN.
Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun made the call after the Supreme Court asked the House of Representatives, Senate, along with the NTC, to comment on the petition filed by the ABS-CBN Corp. versus NTC.
"Now that the Supreme Court has opted to ask Congress to respond to the ABS-CBN petition for certiorari and prohibition against the NTC cease and desist order, I appeal to my colleagues in the minority bloc that we express to the Supreme Court our collective wisdom on the issues presented in the pending petitions concerning the ABS-CBN legislative franchise," said Fortun.
"By collective wisdom, I mean the consensus of the House minority and the commonalities in the positions of the House majority and the minority," Fortun said.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said on Wednesday the fate of ABS-CBN and its 11,000 employees who face possible retrenchment in August lies with the Supreme Court with Congress adjourning sine die in six days,
The broadcast network had asked the Supreme Court for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the cease-and-desist order issued by the NTC.
The Court has given the NTC 10 days to reply and another five days for ABS-CBN to respond accordingly.
Drilon said ABS-CBN should just hope for a speedy intervention from the Supreme Court.
He also said the ball was in the court of the House of Representatives.
“If they do not send us anything, then we cannot debate, consider and pass it," Drilon said.
"We cannot pass the franchise of ABS-CBN unless the House passes its version first. That is in the Constitution. This is a private bill and, therefore, it must originate from the House of Representatives," he said.
https://www.manilastandard.net/index.php/news/national/324192/cayetano-sees-abs-cbn-back-on-air-by-august.html
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Pagdinig sa mga panukala para sa ABS-CBN franchise sisimulan sa Mayo 26
Sisimulan nang dinggin sa Kamara sa Mayo 26 ang 13 panukalang para sa renewal ng prangkisa ng ABS-CBN at ang resolusyong imbestigahan ang mga umano'y naging paglabag sa 1995 franchise ng kompanya.
Ito ay gagawin mahigit 2 buwan matapos ang inisyal na deliberasyon noong Marso 10.
Isasalang sa House Committee on Legislative Franchises ang mga isyung ikinahaharap ng dati at bagong prangkisa ng ABS-CBN.
Wala pang ibang detalye na binigay ang komite pero ayon sa agenda na inilatag ng kamara, via Zoom teleconference ang gagawing pagdinig.
Gabi ng Martes nang tiyakin ni House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano na uumpisahan na sa susunod na linggo ang pagdinig, na hindi hihinto hanggang makapagsalita ang lahat ng panig.
“I foresee that the hearings would not go beyond July, and by August, after President Duterte’s SONA (State of the Nation Address), we should be ready to decide,” ani Cayetano.
Tantiya ni Cayetano, pinakamatagal na ang Agosto bago sila makapagdesisyon para sa prangkisa ng ABS-CBN, na napaso na noong Mayo 4.
Pinapaspasan naman ni House Minority Leader Bienvenido Abante ang deliberasyon alang-alang sa mga tao na walang ibang mapanood kung hindi ang ABS-CBN at mga empleyado na nanganganib ang kabuhayan sa tigil-ere ng network.
"Doon po sa Mindanao mga kaibigan ay walang masyadong network kung hindi ABS-CBN lamang... The lives and livelihood of 11,000 of our constituents hang in the balance sana po isipin natin ang kapakanan nila," ani Abante.
Umaasa si Abante na makukumbinse ng Kamara ang Korte Suprema na pabalikin sa ere ang ABS-CBN sa bisa ng temporary restraining order kontra sa National Telecommunications Commission - na nagbaba ng cease and desist order laban sa pag-ere ng ABS-CBN isang araw matapos mapaso ang prangkisa nito.
"Ang Supreme Court ay umaasa na ang Kongreso po ay magsalita tungkol po sa pinag-uusapan ngayong ABS-CBN sana naman eh makumbinse ng ating leadership na ang SC ay kampihan ang ABS-CBN as a TRO is concerned para ito ay magpatuloy habang pinag-uusapan ang prangkisa," ani Abante.
Hinimok naman ni Agusan Del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun ang buong Kamara na magkaroon ng isang paninindigan matapos pagkomentuhin ng Kamara sa petisyon ng ABS-CBN kontra cease and desist order ng NTC. -- Ulat ni RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/20/20/pagdinig-sa-mga-panukala-para-sa-abs-cbn-franchise-sisimulan-sa-mayo-26
Ito ay gagawin mahigit 2 buwan matapos ang inisyal na deliberasyon noong Marso 10.
Isasalang sa House Committee on Legislative Franchises ang mga isyung ikinahaharap ng dati at bagong prangkisa ng ABS-CBN.
Wala pang ibang detalye na binigay ang komite pero ayon sa agenda na inilatag ng kamara, via Zoom teleconference ang gagawing pagdinig.
Gabi ng Martes nang tiyakin ni House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano na uumpisahan na sa susunod na linggo ang pagdinig, na hindi hihinto hanggang makapagsalita ang lahat ng panig.
“I foresee that the hearings would not go beyond July, and by August, after President Duterte’s SONA (State of the Nation Address), we should be ready to decide,” ani Cayetano.
Tantiya ni Cayetano, pinakamatagal na ang Agosto bago sila makapagdesisyon para sa prangkisa ng ABS-CBN, na napaso na noong Mayo 4.
Pinapaspasan naman ni House Minority Leader Bienvenido Abante ang deliberasyon alang-alang sa mga tao na walang ibang mapanood kung hindi ang ABS-CBN at mga empleyado na nanganganib ang kabuhayan sa tigil-ere ng network.
"Doon po sa Mindanao mga kaibigan ay walang masyadong network kung hindi ABS-CBN lamang... The lives and livelihood of 11,000 of our constituents hang in the balance sana po isipin natin ang kapakanan nila," ani Abante.
Umaasa si Abante na makukumbinse ng Kamara ang Korte Suprema na pabalikin sa ere ang ABS-CBN sa bisa ng temporary restraining order kontra sa National Telecommunications Commission - na nagbaba ng cease and desist order laban sa pag-ere ng ABS-CBN isang araw matapos mapaso ang prangkisa nito.
"Ang Supreme Court ay umaasa na ang Kongreso po ay magsalita tungkol po sa pinag-uusapan ngayong ABS-CBN sana naman eh makumbinse ng ating leadership na ang SC ay kampihan ang ABS-CBN as a TRO is concerned para ito ay magpatuloy habang pinag-uusapan ang prangkisa," ani Abante.
Hinimok naman ni Agusan Del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun ang buong Kamara na magkaroon ng isang paninindigan matapos pagkomentuhin ng Kamara sa petisyon ng ABS-CBN kontra cease and desist order ng NTC. -- Ulat ni RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/20/20/pagdinig-sa-mga-panukala-para-sa-abs-cbn-franchise-sisimulan-sa-mayo-26
Embattled ABS-CBN’s future shrouded in doubt, but newsroom fights on
Two weeks ago on May 5, the Philippines’ leading TV network ABS-CBN was ordered by the government’s telecommunications agency to cease operations, sparking outcry both in the country and across the world.
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) filed an immediate ‘cease and desist’ order after the network’s 25-year franchise licence had expired, pending an ongoing renewal hearing in congress.
The broadcaster’s news channel, however, is one of the few branches of ABS-CBN allowed to continue operating and Ging Reyes, Head of Integrated News and Current Affairs, painted a picture of a newsroom that is emboldened.
“Our team is still working as hard as possible, we’re all running on adrenaline,” said Reyes. “I can see it across the team, this renewed energy and never say die spirit.”
But on May 19, two decisions further compounded the uncertainty surrounding the fate of the broadcaster.
The first came in the Supreme Court, where the judges chose to defer on a plea from ABS-CBN to resume operations immediately, in what the broadcaster said would help prevent “irreparable injury”.
The court voted unanimously to give the NTC, as well as both chambers of Congress, the chance to comment within 10 days, and another five days for ABS-CBN to give additional response, further obscuring the immediate future of the broadcaster.
There was further confusion in the House of Representatives the day before on May 18. In what had looked like a formality to pass, House Bill 6732, granting ABS-CBN a temporary franchise agreement, was unexpectedly recalled by the House on the 2nd reading approval with consitionallity issues cited.
While the bill would have had to pass the Senate before being signed off by the president, it would have allowed ABS-CBN to immediately resume operations on a temporary basis until October 31.
On May 19, the House threw another curve ball and abandoned the bill to give ABS-CBN a temporary franchise, opting instead to immediately resume hearings on granting the broadcaster a new 25-year franchise. This, however, will see ABS-CBN remain off-air while potentially lengthy deliberations take place.
Edcel Lagman, member of the House for the province of Albay, said that the bill to grant a temporary franchise had “stalled like a misdirected locomotive”, before being abandoned all together. He said that the abandonment will “gravely compound the inordinate delay in the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.”
ABS-CBN’s president and CEO, Carlo Katigbak, said that it may have to start retrenchment processes, including letting workers go, by August if it is not allowed to resume normal operations soon.
In a country ruled under what many observers regard as an increasingly autocratic leader, who has repeatedly reiterated threats to block the renewal of the network’s licence, the ultimate fate of ABS-CBN’s is still shrouded in uncertainty.
However, while the highly popular free-to-air broadcasting content has been pulled, some subsidiaries of the network were not affected by the cease and desist order and continue to operate, albeit in a very different environment than before.
The network continues to produce content on its popular online and streaming platforms, while the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) can continue broadcasting as the NTC order does not cover cable news channels. TV Patrol, the broadcaster’s flagship news programme, has now also returned via streaming.
With some shows still running and a fight in the courts to return to the air, ABS-CBN is not leaving silently. In an interview with the Globe, Reyes said that the newsroom staff at ANC are working as hard as before, even during an unprecedented period for the network.
“You want to prove something, you want to prove that we are never going to be silent,” Reyes explained. “We are continuing the work that we do because it is an important service for our fellow Filipinos.”
Reyes, however, admitted that the network’s reach has been curtailed. Even though online and streaming platforms are significant, it requires strong broadband or enough data to access it – which isn’t always available across the vast Philippines archipelago.
“It’s just not enough, as people need strong internet access in all parts of the country to use these platforms,” Reyes admitted. “Ultimately, it’s the public who also lose out.”
While the events of May 5 came as a shock to outside observers, there was a sense of impending dread within the newsroom that being taken off air was a serious possibility. But it was still a hard moment for Reyes and her colleagues, however well they had prepared.
“We had this sense of dread – but we carried on with our work, of course,” she remembered.
On May 5, the day of the cease and desist order, Reyes said that everyone was on alert, checking with sources to see if word had escaped from the NTA. A member of the editorial team first received news from a source that the NTA was to decide unfavourably on the ABS issue.
“We still hadn’t got confirmation when another reporter got in touch and said, ‘I wish that I had better news – the cease and desist is on its way,’” she recalled.
Reyes said that the shock within the newsroom could be seen through masks, being worn in the office because of Covid-19.
“You know that feeling when you plan for something, but you still don’t believe that it will actually happen,” Reyes asked. “But when it does, you have to muster all your energy and courage and deal with it in the right way – but at the same time, you are in shock.”
Shock had to be channelled into grit as the newsroom started breaking news about their own network. “You know that journalists are averse to doing stories on themselves,” said Reyes. “But we knew that this was a huge story and had to be covered in full. Because it wasn’t just about us, it was also about our millions of viewers and listeners.”
Two weeks since the closure, the newsroom at ABS-CBN continues to provide coverage, vital during the continuing pandemic and lockdown in the Philippines. And while their resources are now stretched, Reyes and colleagues continue working as if nothing has changed – so when Typhoon Ambo hit the country early on May 15, ANC reporters were on the scene filling stories.
“We’re very grateful for the support we’ve been getting, and I believe that good will prevail – I still have faith in our democratic systems,” said Reyes. And driven by the ethos of the organisation, The Kapamilya Way (kapamilya meaning ‘family’ in Tagalog), the newsroom is continuing to work for the people it attempts to serve.
“These are of course unprecedented times. But we are not giving up on our commitment to be of service.”
https://southeastasiaglobe.com/abs-cbn-closure-decision/
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) filed an immediate ‘cease and desist’ order after the network’s 25-year franchise licence had expired, pending an ongoing renewal hearing in congress.
The broadcaster’s news channel, however, is one of the few branches of ABS-CBN allowed to continue operating and Ging Reyes, Head of Integrated News and Current Affairs, painted a picture of a newsroom that is emboldened.
“Our team is still working as hard as possible, we’re all running on adrenaline,” said Reyes. “I can see it across the team, this renewed energy and never say die spirit.”
But on May 19, two decisions further compounded the uncertainty surrounding the fate of the broadcaster.
The first came in the Supreme Court, where the judges chose to defer on a plea from ABS-CBN to resume operations immediately, in what the broadcaster said would help prevent “irreparable injury”.
The court voted unanimously to give the NTC, as well as both chambers of Congress, the chance to comment within 10 days, and another five days for ABS-CBN to give additional response, further obscuring the immediate future of the broadcaster.
There was further confusion in the House of Representatives the day before on May 18. In what had looked like a formality to pass, House Bill 6732, granting ABS-CBN a temporary franchise agreement, was unexpectedly recalled by the House on the 2nd reading approval with consitionallity issues cited.
While the bill would have had to pass the Senate before being signed off by the president, it would have allowed ABS-CBN to immediately resume operations on a temporary basis until October 31.
On May 19, the House threw another curve ball and abandoned the bill to give ABS-CBN a temporary franchise, opting instead to immediately resume hearings on granting the broadcaster a new 25-year franchise. This, however, will see ABS-CBN remain off-air while potentially lengthy deliberations take place.
Edcel Lagman, member of the House for the province of Albay, said that the bill to grant a temporary franchise had “stalled like a misdirected locomotive”, before being abandoned all together. He said that the abandonment will “gravely compound the inordinate delay in the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.”
ABS-CBN’s president and CEO, Carlo Katigbak, said that it may have to start retrenchment processes, including letting workers go, by August if it is not allowed to resume normal operations soon.
In a country ruled under what many observers regard as an increasingly autocratic leader, who has repeatedly reiterated threats to block the renewal of the network’s licence, the ultimate fate of ABS-CBN’s is still shrouded in uncertainty.
However, while the highly popular free-to-air broadcasting content has been pulled, some subsidiaries of the network were not affected by the cease and desist order and continue to operate, albeit in a very different environment than before.
The network continues to produce content on its popular online and streaming platforms, while the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) can continue broadcasting as the NTC order does not cover cable news channels. TV Patrol, the broadcaster’s flagship news programme, has now also returned via streaming.
With some shows still running and a fight in the courts to return to the air, ABS-CBN is not leaving silently. In an interview with the Globe, Reyes said that the newsroom staff at ANC are working as hard as before, even during an unprecedented period for the network.
“You want to prove something, you want to prove that we are never going to be silent,” Reyes explained. “We are continuing the work that we do because it is an important service for our fellow Filipinos.”
Reyes, however, admitted that the network’s reach has been curtailed. Even though online and streaming platforms are significant, it requires strong broadband or enough data to access it – which isn’t always available across the vast Philippines archipelago.
“It’s just not enough, as people need strong internet access in all parts of the country to use these platforms,” Reyes admitted. “Ultimately, it’s the public who also lose out.”
While the events of May 5 came as a shock to outside observers, there was a sense of impending dread within the newsroom that being taken off air was a serious possibility. But it was still a hard moment for Reyes and her colleagues, however well they had prepared.
“We had this sense of dread – but we carried on with our work, of course,” she remembered.
On May 5, the day of the cease and desist order, Reyes said that everyone was on alert, checking with sources to see if word had escaped from the NTA. A member of the editorial team first received news from a source that the NTA was to decide unfavourably on the ABS issue.
“We still hadn’t got confirmation when another reporter got in touch and said, ‘I wish that I had better news – the cease and desist is on its way,’” she recalled.
Reyes said that the shock within the newsroom could be seen through masks, being worn in the office because of Covid-19.
“You know that feeling when you plan for something, but you still don’t believe that it will actually happen,” Reyes asked. “But when it does, you have to muster all your energy and courage and deal with it in the right way – but at the same time, you are in shock.”
Shock had to be channelled into grit as the newsroom started breaking news about their own network. “You know that journalists are averse to doing stories on themselves,” said Reyes. “But we knew that this was a huge story and had to be covered in full. Because it wasn’t just about us, it was also about our millions of viewers and listeners.”
Two weeks since the closure, the newsroom at ABS-CBN continues to provide coverage, vital during the continuing pandemic and lockdown in the Philippines. And while their resources are now stretched, Reyes and colleagues continue working as if nothing has changed – so when Typhoon Ambo hit the country early on May 15, ANC reporters were on the scene filling stories.
“We’re very grateful for the support we’ve been getting, and I believe that good will prevail – I still have faith in our democratic systems,” said Reyes. And driven by the ethos of the organisation, The Kapamilya Way (kapamilya meaning ‘family’ in Tagalog), the newsroom is continuing to work for the people it attempts to serve.
“These are of course unprecedented times. But we are not giving up on our commitment to be of service.”
https://southeastasiaglobe.com/abs-cbn-closure-decision/
House 'ready to decide' on ABS-CBN franchise by August
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday said the House of Representatives would be "ready to decide" on a new 25-year franchise for ABS-CBN Corp. by August, the same month that the network said it might "consider" retrenchment of its 11,000-strong workforce.
The Lower House stopped deliberations for the proposed 5-month provisional permit for the broadcaster and opted to hear bills seeking to give it a 25-year franchise.
Deliberations by the House franchises committee will continue during the Congress recess starting in June, said Cayetano.
"They will not stop until they are finished so that no one can say we’re stopping the process or dragging our feet," he told ABS-CBN News.
"I foresee that the hearings would not go beyond July, and by August, after President Duterte’s SONA (State of the Nation Address), we should be ready to decide," he added.
Lawmakers will hold 2 or 3 hearings per week to tackle "no more than 10 issues" related to the franchise. Some witnesses and resource persons would be required to physically appear before the committee, provided social distancing and other health protocols are observed, he said.
House Committee on Legislative Franchises chair Franz Alvarez said the franchise hearing is set on May 26, 9:30 a.m.
"The hearings must be fair, impartial, comprehensive, and thorough. All voices must be heard and all issues for and against will be discussed…this will require a lot of time - time we do not have. And so, there will be sacrifices on our part if we hope to finish this without delay," said Cayetano.
"For those who are calling for an outright approval or denial, I ask that you suspend your extreme views until all the facts have been presented, and all the testimonies have been heard," he said.
ABS-CBN said it has been losing P30-35 million in advertising revenues daily since regulators forced it off air last May 5, a day after its franchise expired.
The 65-year-old media outfit promised it "would not take away any jobs for 3 months." However, it may "consider" retrenching workers by August if it fails to resume broadcast soon, President and CEO Carlo Katigbak told senators.
The National Telecommunication Commission told lawmakers in March that it would let the country's top broadcaster operate provisionally beyond the May 4 expiration of its license, while bills for its franchise renewal stalled in Congress for years.
But days after Solicitor General Jose Calida warned NTC officials that they could face graft charges if they gave ABS-CBN a provisional permit, the regulator ordered the outfit to stop broadcasting.
news.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/20/20/house-ready-to-decide-on-abs-cbn-franchise-by-august
The Lower House stopped deliberations for the proposed 5-month provisional permit for the broadcaster and opted to hear bills seeking to give it a 25-year franchise.
Deliberations by the House franchises committee will continue during the Congress recess starting in June, said Cayetano.
"They will not stop until they are finished so that no one can say we’re stopping the process or dragging our feet," he told ABS-CBN News.
"I foresee that the hearings would not go beyond July, and by August, after President Duterte’s SONA (State of the Nation Address), we should be ready to decide," he added.
Lawmakers will hold 2 or 3 hearings per week to tackle "no more than 10 issues" related to the franchise. Some witnesses and resource persons would be required to physically appear before the committee, provided social distancing and other health protocols are observed, he said.
House Committee on Legislative Franchises chair Franz Alvarez said the franchise hearing is set on May 26, 9:30 a.m.
"The hearings must be fair, impartial, comprehensive, and thorough. All voices must be heard and all issues for and against will be discussed…this will require a lot of time - time we do not have. And so, there will be sacrifices on our part if we hope to finish this without delay," said Cayetano.
"For those who are calling for an outright approval or denial, I ask that you suspend your extreme views until all the facts have been presented, and all the testimonies have been heard," he said.
ABS-CBN said it has been losing P30-35 million in advertising revenues daily since regulators forced it off air last May 5, a day after its franchise expired.
The 65-year-old media outfit promised it "would not take away any jobs for 3 months." However, it may "consider" retrenching workers by August if it fails to resume broadcast soon, President and CEO Carlo Katigbak told senators.
The National Telecommunication Commission told lawmakers in March that it would let the country's top broadcaster operate provisionally beyond the May 4 expiration of its license, while bills for its franchise renewal stalled in Congress for years.
But days after Solicitor General Jose Calida warned NTC officials that they could face graft charges if they gave ABS-CBN a provisional permit, the regulator ordered the outfit to stop broadcasting.
news.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/20/20/house-ready-to-decide-on-abs-cbn-franchise-by-august
Census to be moved from May to September
THE National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) plan to move the decade census to September this year due to the coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
In a Senate hearing on Tuesday, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua said they will be writing to the House of Representatives and Senate of the Philippines regarding the matter.
According to Batas Pambansa 72, the government needs to conduct a population census every 10 years beginning 1980. The census should be conducted starting on the first day of May.
“We will be writing to both Houses of Congress to seek your indulgence [regarding this matter] at this difficult time,” Chua said.
Chua said the decision to move the census takes into consideration the safety of enumerators and households at this time.
The 2020 CPH will be the 15th census of population and 7th census of housing to be undertaken in the country since the first census in 1903.
The CPH refers to the entire process of collecting, compiling, evaluating, analyzing, publishing and disseminating data about the population and living quarters in a country.
It entails the listing and recording of the characteristics of each individual and each living quarter as of a specified time and within a specified territory.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/05/20/census-to-be-moved-from-may-to-september/
In a Senate hearing on Tuesday, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua said they will be writing to the House of Representatives and Senate of the Philippines regarding the matter.
According to Batas Pambansa 72, the government needs to conduct a population census every 10 years beginning 1980. The census should be conducted starting on the first day of May.
“We will be writing to both Houses of Congress to seek your indulgence [regarding this matter] at this difficult time,” Chua said.
Chua said the decision to move the census takes into consideration the safety of enumerators and households at this time.
The 2020 CPH will be the 15th census of population and 7th census of housing to be undertaken in the country since the first census in 1903.
The CPH refers to the entire process of collecting, compiling, evaluating, analyzing, publishing and disseminating data about the population and living quarters in a country.
It entails the listing and recording of the characteristics of each individual and each living quarter as of a specified time and within a specified territory.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/05/20/census-to-be-moved-from-may-to-september/
National ID system: 5 million registrants eyed this year
The government is eyeing the registration of the heads of five million low-income families for the national ID system by December to ensure a more efficient distribution of relief assistance in the future.
In his eighth report to Congress on the government’s response to the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 pandemic, President Duterte said the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is fasttracking the implementation of the national ID system to improve targeting and distribution of financial aid to poor and low-income households.
Duterte said the PSA aims to open the registration process in October with 6,500 registration kits in 46 permanent registration centers and 1,170 mobile registration centers nationwide.
The PSA is coordinating with the Land Bank of the Philippines for the use of the bank’s 126 branches as registration centers.
Duterte had earlier said the implementation of the national ID system could have facilitated the distribution of assistance to those affected by the community quarantine due to COVID-19.
The President said the Philippine Institute for Development Studies is also working on the implementing rules of the Community-Based Monitoring System Act.
“The accelerated nationwide implementation of a community-based monitoring system shall allow the government to profile and identify households vulnerable to certain risks as well as qualified beneficiaries of targeted programs,” Duterte said.
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2020/05/20/2015260/national-id-system-5-million-registrants-eyed-year
In his eighth report to Congress on the government’s response to the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 pandemic, President Duterte said the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is fasttracking the implementation of the national ID system to improve targeting and distribution of financial aid to poor and low-income households.
Duterte said the PSA aims to open the registration process in October with 6,500 registration kits in 46 permanent registration centers and 1,170 mobile registration centers nationwide.
The PSA is coordinating with the Land Bank of the Philippines for the use of the bank’s 126 branches as registration centers.
Duterte had earlier said the implementation of the national ID system could have facilitated the distribution of assistance to those affected by the community quarantine due to COVID-19.
The President said the Philippine Institute for Development Studies is also working on the implementing rules of the Community-Based Monitoring System Act.
“The accelerated nationwide implementation of a community-based monitoring system shall allow the government to profile and identify households vulnerable to certain risks as well as qualified beneficiaries of targeted programs,” Duterte said.
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2020/05/20/2015260/national-id-system-5-million-registrants-eyed-year
Gov't 'can't rush' National ID System due to risks: NEDA chief
The government "cannot rush" the implementation of the National ID System this year as there are "privacy, security and COVID" risks that have to be ironed out, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua said Tuesday.
The government plans to finish the procurement of equipment by August, and begin the registration of household heads by the last quarter of 2020, Chua told senators in a hybrid hearing.
"Ang National ID po kasi hindi po natin puwede i-rush, baka magkamali kasi mayroon po tayong security, privacy at COVID risk," he said.
"Kung mag-mass registration po tayo, 'yung iris scan, 'yung fingerprint, 'yung ballpen, lahat po yan, yung papel ay puwede mag spread ng virus," he said.
While the country is still under different levels of quarantine, the government is trying to develop the registration software procured from India, the NEDA chief said.
"Ang maganda po dito we are not developing from scratch... Once we have that system developed, then we would be ready to begin registration by the end of the year," he said.
The Philippine Statistics Authority expects to have 5 million household heads registered by the end of this year, and have 90 million Filipinos under the system by the end of 2022.
"Ang bata hindi pa puwede mag-ID kasi hindi pa natin maca-capture yung iris at yung fingerprint kung batang-bata pa... pero bibigyan na po sila ng ID number upon birth," Chua said.
The National ID System Act was was enacted into law in 2018, giving the PSA an annual allocation of P2 billion for the program.
Senators earlier filed a resolution seeking an investigation on why the implementation of the program has been delayed for 2 years, as the system was expected to fast-track the delivery of cash aid to those hit by the coronavirus crisis.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/19/20/govt-cant-rush-national-id-system-due-to-risks-neda-chief
The government plans to finish the procurement of equipment by August, and begin the registration of household heads by the last quarter of 2020, Chua told senators in a hybrid hearing.
"Ang National ID po kasi hindi po natin puwede i-rush, baka magkamali kasi mayroon po tayong security, privacy at COVID risk," he said.
"Kung mag-mass registration po tayo, 'yung iris scan, 'yung fingerprint, 'yung ballpen, lahat po yan, yung papel ay puwede mag spread ng virus," he said.
While the country is still under different levels of quarantine, the government is trying to develop the registration software procured from India, the NEDA chief said.
"Ang maganda po dito we are not developing from scratch... Once we have that system developed, then we would be ready to begin registration by the end of the year," he said.
The Philippine Statistics Authority expects to have 5 million household heads registered by the end of this year, and have 90 million Filipinos under the system by the end of 2022.
"Ang bata hindi pa puwede mag-ID kasi hindi pa natin maca-capture yung iris at yung fingerprint kung batang-bata pa... pero bibigyan na po sila ng ID number upon birth," Chua said.
The National ID System Act was was enacted into law in 2018, giving the PSA an annual allocation of P2 billion for the program.
Senators earlier filed a resolution seeking an investigation on why the implementation of the program has been delayed for 2 years, as the system was expected to fast-track the delivery of cash aid to those hit by the coronavirus crisis.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/19/20/govt-cant-rush-national-id-system-due-to-risks-neda-chief
Lawmakers lament abandonment of ABS-CBN provisional franchise bill
Some members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday lamented the dropping of a provisional franchise bill for ABS-CBN's broadcast operations, after the majority of the House decided instead to hear bills for a 25-year franchise.
Rep. Edcel Lagman said the abandonment of the provisional franchise bill will greatly affect the company and its employees.
"This abandonment underscores the failure of leadership in the House after no less than Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano principally authored and passionately sponsored the ill-fated interim franchise whose approval was recommended by the 'Committee of the Whole,' which is rarely constituted," he said in a statement.
"The abandonment of HB No. 6732 quashes the hope for the resumption of ABS-CBN’s operations, albeit on a provisional franchise, for the benefit of the public and the networks’ employees," Lagman said.
According to Lagman, the provisional franchise was an ideal compromise to allow the company to resume operations while deliberations on its full 25-year franchise are ongoing.
"There is no overriding reason to abandon HB No. 6732 except for a furtive and sinister outside interference in the discharge of the constitutional duty of the House," he said.
Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, for her part, urged her fellow lawmakers to act on ABS-CBN's broadcast franchise renewal as soon as possible for the benefit of the public.
"Bakit tila iniiwan natin sa ere ang libo-libong manggagawa ng ABS-CBN na apektado rin ng pandemya?" she said in her manifestation.
(Why does it seem like we just left thousands of ABS-CBN employees hanging, when they are also affected by the pandemic?)
She added the House of Representatives is doing the public a disservice if it would continue to sit on the issue of the company's franchise.
"Walang mawawala sa gobyerno at sambayanan sa ngayon kung hahayaan na makabalik sa ere ang ABS-CBN hanggang Oktubre. (The government and the public will not lose anything if we let ABS-CBN to go back on air until October.) On the contrary, the House would be doing a disservice to the Filipino people if it will continue to sit on the network’s franchise, as millions of Filipinos in far-flung areas are deprived of vital news and information amid the pandemic," Brosas said.
Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, likewise, said the House should act on the matter urgently and prove Congress' jurisdiction on the issue.
"We must act urgently on this matter, as we also similarly act with urgency on the other pressing matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the crisis it spawned, in the service of the Filipino," Zarate said in a statement.
Zarate said he, along with other Makabayan lawmakers, filed a bill for the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, yet he could have voted in favor of the provisional franchise as it would allow the company to resume operations.
"Together with the Makabayan representatives, I filed House Bill No. 6052 on January 27, 2020, which bill sought to grant Applicant another 25 years of franchise. Yet, I supported HB 6732, if only to allow ABS-CBN to immediately go back on air while the renewal bills are still being deliberated," he said.
"While I can no longer cast yes vote for House Bill 6732 granting provisional franchise to ABS CBN which would be valid only until October 2020, I now strongly urge my colleagues in Congress, particularly the Committee on Legislative Franchise, to immediately and urgently hear and resolve the renewal bills pertaining to the grant of a fresh franchise to ABS CBN Corporation," Zarate added.
In his proposal last week, Cayetano said granting ABS-CBN provisional franchise would allow Congress to focus on response to the coronavirus pandemic and time to thoroughly discuss issues against ABS-CBN.
On Monday, lawmakers raised charges ABS-CBN has already answered in a Senate hearing in February, including tax and labor issues of which government officials have themselves cleared the network.
ABS-CBN's broadcast operations were halted on May 5 on orders of the National Telecommunications Commission, which issued a cease and desist order after the network's franchise lapsed on May 4.
Bills for the renewal of ABS-CBN's broadcast license have been pending for years. Its shutdown puts at risk some 11,000 jobs, with the network's President and CEO Carlo Katigbak telling a Senate hearing earlier Tuesday that it may consider layoffs by August if it remains off the air.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/19/20/lawmakers-lament-abandonment-of-abs-cbn-provisional-franchise-bill
Rep. Edcel Lagman said the abandonment of the provisional franchise bill will greatly affect the company and its employees.
"This abandonment underscores the failure of leadership in the House after no less than Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano principally authored and passionately sponsored the ill-fated interim franchise whose approval was recommended by the 'Committee of the Whole,' which is rarely constituted," he said in a statement.
"The abandonment of HB No. 6732 quashes the hope for the resumption of ABS-CBN’s operations, albeit on a provisional franchise, for the benefit of the public and the networks’ employees," Lagman said.
According to Lagman, the provisional franchise was an ideal compromise to allow the company to resume operations while deliberations on its full 25-year franchise are ongoing.
"There is no overriding reason to abandon HB No. 6732 except for a furtive and sinister outside interference in the discharge of the constitutional duty of the House," he said.
Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, for her part, urged her fellow lawmakers to act on ABS-CBN's broadcast franchise renewal as soon as possible for the benefit of the public.
"Bakit tila iniiwan natin sa ere ang libo-libong manggagawa ng ABS-CBN na apektado rin ng pandemya?" she said in her manifestation.
(Why does it seem like we just left thousands of ABS-CBN employees hanging, when they are also affected by the pandemic?)
She added the House of Representatives is doing the public a disservice if it would continue to sit on the issue of the company's franchise.
"Walang mawawala sa gobyerno at sambayanan sa ngayon kung hahayaan na makabalik sa ere ang ABS-CBN hanggang Oktubre. (The government and the public will not lose anything if we let ABS-CBN to go back on air until October.) On the contrary, the House would be doing a disservice to the Filipino people if it will continue to sit on the network’s franchise, as millions of Filipinos in far-flung areas are deprived of vital news and information amid the pandemic," Brosas said.
Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, likewise, said the House should act on the matter urgently and prove Congress' jurisdiction on the issue.
"We must act urgently on this matter, as we also similarly act with urgency on the other pressing matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the crisis it spawned, in the service of the Filipino," Zarate said in a statement.
Zarate said he, along with other Makabayan lawmakers, filed a bill for the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, yet he could have voted in favor of the provisional franchise as it would allow the company to resume operations.
"Together with the Makabayan representatives, I filed House Bill No. 6052 on January 27, 2020, which bill sought to grant Applicant another 25 years of franchise. Yet, I supported HB 6732, if only to allow ABS-CBN to immediately go back on air while the renewal bills are still being deliberated," he said.
"While I can no longer cast yes vote for House Bill 6732 granting provisional franchise to ABS CBN which would be valid only until October 2020, I now strongly urge my colleagues in Congress, particularly the Committee on Legislative Franchise, to immediately and urgently hear and resolve the renewal bills pertaining to the grant of a fresh franchise to ABS CBN Corporation," Zarate added.
In his proposal last week, Cayetano said granting ABS-CBN provisional franchise would allow Congress to focus on response to the coronavirus pandemic and time to thoroughly discuss issues against ABS-CBN.
On Monday, lawmakers raised charges ABS-CBN has already answered in a Senate hearing in February, including tax and labor issues of which government officials have themselves cleared the network.
ABS-CBN's broadcast operations were halted on May 5 on orders of the National Telecommunications Commission, which issued a cease and desist order after the network's franchise lapsed on May 4.
Bills for the renewal of ABS-CBN's broadcast license have been pending for years. Its shutdown puts at risk some 11,000 jobs, with the network's President and CEO Carlo Katigbak telling a Senate hearing earlier Tuesday that it may consider layoffs by August if it remains off the air.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/19/20/lawmakers-lament-abandonment-of-abs-cbn-provisional-franchise-bill
House drops ABS-CBN's provisional franchise, to tackle bills for 25-year license
(3rd UPDATE) - The House of Representatives on Tuesday decided to stop deliberations on a provisional franchise for ABS-CBN Corp, opting instead to hear bills for a 25-year franchise.
Speaking to the plenary, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said they have decided to forego the provisional franchise- a proposal he led giving ABS-CBN license until October 2020- citing the divisiveness it has brought to the chamber.
"Because of all this divisiveness and after consulting with the members of the House, the political parties, and the regional groups… I, together with the House of Representatives leadership have decided to forego with the provisional franchise, and immediately proceed with the hearings for the full 25-year renewal application of the ABS-CBN franchise," he said.
The proposed provisional franchise was passed on first and second reading on the same day last week, but the House opted to reopen the period of debates and amendments Monday to avoid possible legal questions.
Cayetano said the bills for the ABS-CBN franchise renewal will be tackled by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.
He said the panel should "immediately and continuously hold hearings until everyone is heard."
The chamber is set to go on break on June 5 and will come back when session reopens on the fourth week of July, when the President delivers his State of the Nation Address.
"And after everyone is heard, then we can decide," he said.
The Speaker later said in an interview with ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo that hearings would continue even during the session break.
"Magsisimula na po next week (ang hearings) at hindi po sila titigil hanggang tapos na. Hinihiling ko po na lahat makapagsalita, pati po 'yung maanghang ang salita, we will ask them to follow the right decorum. But we will allow them to speak," he said.
(The hearings will start next week and they won't stop until this issue is finished. I'm asking that everyone will be able to speak, even those who have harsh words, we will ask them to follow the right decorum. But we will allow them to speak.)
Cayetano said that the House hearings on ABS-CBN's franchise renewal will be similar to special sessions the chamber had conducted for the government's COVID-19 response.
"Katulad naman nung ginawa naman natin sa disease COVID-19 committee, kahit na break nung 6 weeks during ECQ (enhanced community quarantine), tuloy-tuloy ang hearing natin. So, there'll be probably be a hybrid (session), minsan kailangan 'yung resource person nandito mismo. Ba't yung ibang hearing, we can do in Zoom or teleconferencing," he said.
(What we did at the COVID-19 committee, even if we had 6 weeks of break during the ECQ, our hearings will be continuous. So, there'll probably be a hybrid session, sometimes the resource person will be on the floor himself. But other hearings, we can do in Zoom or teleconferencing.)
Cayetano said the hearings likely won't reach the end of July.
"Napakahaba na nun (That's too long)," he said, adding issues surrounding the broadcast giant's franchise renewal won't need lengthy deliberations.
Hearings on the franchise renewal bills will be held 2 to 3 times a week along with other bills, Cayetano said in another interview on ABS-CBN's TV Patrol.
The Speaker admitted the issue on ABS-CBN's franchise renewal is "emotionally heavy" for the network's workers, viewers and supporters, but he stressed that the country is still facing the threat of the fast-spreading COVID-19, forcing the chamber to allot some of their time on programs against the pandemic.
"Sana po magkaisa tayo dito. Pagdasal niyo din po kami, baka makahanap po tayo ng isang paraan na magsama-sama tayo kahit sa issue na 'to. But in the meantime po, we will have the hearings," he said.
(I hope all of us will unite on this. Please also pray for us, that we may find a solution that will unite us on this issue. But in the meantime, we will have the hearings.)
Opposition to bill abandonment
Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers lamented the dropping of the provisional franchise bill.
In a statement, Rep. Edcel Lagman said the abandonment of House Bill 6732 underscores the failure of the House leadership, considering that it was Cayetano himself who sponsored the bill.
"This abandonment underscores the failure of leadership in the House after no less than Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano principally authored and passionately sponsored the ill-fated interim franchise whose approval was recommended by the “Committee of the Whole”, which is rarely constituted," he said.
He also said that the abandonment of the provisional franchise will greatly affect the company and its employees.
"The abandonment of HB No. 6732 quashes the hope for the resumption of ABS-CBN’s operation, albeit on a provisional franchise, for the benefit of the public and the networks’ employees," Lagman said.
Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, for her part, urged her fellow lawmakers to act on the company's franchise renewal as soon as possible for the benefit of the public.
"What the House did was to suspend the hopes of the 11,000 ABS-CBN workers in mid-air while the country’s largest network will remain off-air. Ang panawagan natin sa Gabriela Women’s Party: Ibalik sa ere ang ABS-CBN. Subalit bakit tila iniiwan natin sa ere ang libo-libong manggagawa ng ABS-CBN na apektado rin ng pandemya?" she said in her manifestation.
(We in Gabriel Women's Party call for ABS-CBN to be back on air, but why does it seem like we just left thousands of ABS-CBN employees hanging, when they and their families are also affected by the pandemic?)
She added the House of Representatives is doing the public a disservice if it would continue to sit on the issue of the company's franchise.
"Walang mawawala sa gobyerno at sambayanan sa ngayon kung hahayaan na makabalik sa ere ang ABS-CBN hanggang Oktubre. (The government and the public will not lose anything if we let ABS-CBN to go back on air until October.) On the contrary, the House would be doing a disservice to the Filipino people if it will continue to sit on the network’s franchise, as millions of Filipinos in far-flung areas are deprived of vital news and information amid the pandemic," Brosas said.
Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, likewise, said the House should act on the matter urgently and prove the Congress' jurisdiction on the issue.
"Let us prove to the public and to other government agencies that Congress has indeed primary jurisdiction over franchises of this nature," he said in a statement.
"We must act urgently on this matter, as we also similarly act with urgency on the other pressing matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the crisis it spawned, in the service of the Filipino," Zarate added.
In his proposal last week, Cayetano said granting ABS-CBN provisional franchise would allow Congress to focus on response to the coronavirus pandemic and time to thoroughly discuss issues against ABS-CBN.
On Monday, lawmakers raised charges ABS-CBN has already answered in a Senate hearing in February, including tax and labor issues of which government officials have themselves cleared the network.
ABS-CBN's broadcast operations were halted on May 5 on orders of the National Telecommunications Commission, which issued a cease and desist order after the network's franchise lapsed on May 4.
Bills for the renewal of ABS-CBN's broadcast license have been pending for years. Its shutdown puts at risk some 11,000 jobs, with the network's President and CEO Carlo Katigbak telling a Senate hearing earlier Tuesday that it may consider layoffs by August if it remains off the air.
- reports from Rose Carmelle Lacuata and Gabriel Agcaoili, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/19/20/house-drops-abs-cbns-provisional-franchise-to-tackle-bills-for-25-year-license
Speaking to the plenary, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said they have decided to forego the provisional franchise- a proposal he led giving ABS-CBN license until October 2020- citing the divisiveness it has brought to the chamber.
"Because of all this divisiveness and after consulting with the members of the House, the political parties, and the regional groups… I, together with the House of Representatives leadership have decided to forego with the provisional franchise, and immediately proceed with the hearings for the full 25-year renewal application of the ABS-CBN franchise," he said.
The proposed provisional franchise was passed on first and second reading on the same day last week, but the House opted to reopen the period of debates and amendments Monday to avoid possible legal questions.
Cayetano said the bills for the ABS-CBN franchise renewal will be tackled by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.
He said the panel should "immediately and continuously hold hearings until everyone is heard."
The chamber is set to go on break on June 5 and will come back when session reopens on the fourth week of July, when the President delivers his State of the Nation Address.
"And after everyone is heard, then we can decide," he said.
The Speaker later said in an interview with ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo that hearings would continue even during the session break.
"Magsisimula na po next week (ang hearings) at hindi po sila titigil hanggang tapos na. Hinihiling ko po na lahat makapagsalita, pati po 'yung maanghang ang salita, we will ask them to follow the right decorum. But we will allow them to speak," he said.
(The hearings will start next week and they won't stop until this issue is finished. I'm asking that everyone will be able to speak, even those who have harsh words, we will ask them to follow the right decorum. But we will allow them to speak.)
Cayetano said that the House hearings on ABS-CBN's franchise renewal will be similar to special sessions the chamber had conducted for the government's COVID-19 response.
"Katulad naman nung ginawa naman natin sa disease COVID-19 committee, kahit na break nung 6 weeks during ECQ (enhanced community quarantine), tuloy-tuloy ang hearing natin. So, there'll be probably be a hybrid (session), minsan kailangan 'yung resource person nandito mismo. Ba't yung ibang hearing, we can do in Zoom or teleconferencing," he said.
(What we did at the COVID-19 committee, even if we had 6 weeks of break during the ECQ, our hearings will be continuous. So, there'll probably be a hybrid session, sometimes the resource person will be on the floor himself. But other hearings, we can do in Zoom or teleconferencing.)
Cayetano said the hearings likely won't reach the end of July.
"Napakahaba na nun (That's too long)," he said, adding issues surrounding the broadcast giant's franchise renewal won't need lengthy deliberations.
Hearings on the franchise renewal bills will be held 2 to 3 times a week along with other bills, Cayetano said in another interview on ABS-CBN's TV Patrol.
The Speaker admitted the issue on ABS-CBN's franchise renewal is "emotionally heavy" for the network's workers, viewers and supporters, but he stressed that the country is still facing the threat of the fast-spreading COVID-19, forcing the chamber to allot some of their time on programs against the pandemic.
"Sana po magkaisa tayo dito. Pagdasal niyo din po kami, baka makahanap po tayo ng isang paraan na magsama-sama tayo kahit sa issue na 'to. But in the meantime po, we will have the hearings," he said.
(I hope all of us will unite on this. Please also pray for us, that we may find a solution that will unite us on this issue. But in the meantime, we will have the hearings.)
Opposition to bill abandonment
Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers lamented the dropping of the provisional franchise bill.
In a statement, Rep. Edcel Lagman said the abandonment of House Bill 6732 underscores the failure of the House leadership, considering that it was Cayetano himself who sponsored the bill.
"This abandonment underscores the failure of leadership in the House after no less than Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano principally authored and passionately sponsored the ill-fated interim franchise whose approval was recommended by the “Committee of the Whole”, which is rarely constituted," he said.
He also said that the abandonment of the provisional franchise will greatly affect the company and its employees.
"The abandonment of HB No. 6732 quashes the hope for the resumption of ABS-CBN’s operation, albeit on a provisional franchise, for the benefit of the public and the networks’ employees," Lagman said.
Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, for her part, urged her fellow lawmakers to act on the company's franchise renewal as soon as possible for the benefit of the public.
"What the House did was to suspend the hopes of the 11,000 ABS-CBN workers in mid-air while the country’s largest network will remain off-air. Ang panawagan natin sa Gabriela Women’s Party: Ibalik sa ere ang ABS-CBN. Subalit bakit tila iniiwan natin sa ere ang libo-libong manggagawa ng ABS-CBN na apektado rin ng pandemya?" she said in her manifestation.
(We in Gabriel Women's Party call for ABS-CBN to be back on air, but why does it seem like we just left thousands of ABS-CBN employees hanging, when they and their families are also affected by the pandemic?)
She added the House of Representatives is doing the public a disservice if it would continue to sit on the issue of the company's franchise.
"Walang mawawala sa gobyerno at sambayanan sa ngayon kung hahayaan na makabalik sa ere ang ABS-CBN hanggang Oktubre. (The government and the public will not lose anything if we let ABS-CBN to go back on air until October.) On the contrary, the House would be doing a disservice to the Filipino people if it will continue to sit on the network’s franchise, as millions of Filipinos in far-flung areas are deprived of vital news and information amid the pandemic," Brosas said.
Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, likewise, said the House should act on the matter urgently and prove the Congress' jurisdiction on the issue.
"Let us prove to the public and to other government agencies that Congress has indeed primary jurisdiction over franchises of this nature," he said in a statement.
"We must act urgently on this matter, as we also similarly act with urgency on the other pressing matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the crisis it spawned, in the service of the Filipino," Zarate added.
In his proposal last week, Cayetano said granting ABS-CBN provisional franchise would allow Congress to focus on response to the coronavirus pandemic and time to thoroughly discuss issues against ABS-CBN.
On Monday, lawmakers raised charges ABS-CBN has already answered in a Senate hearing in February, including tax and labor issues of which government officials have themselves cleared the network.
ABS-CBN's broadcast operations were halted on May 5 on orders of the National Telecommunications Commission, which issued a cease and desist order after the network's franchise lapsed on May 4.
Bills for the renewal of ABS-CBN's broadcast license have been pending for years. Its shutdown puts at risk some 11,000 jobs, with the network's President and CEO Carlo Katigbak telling a Senate hearing earlier Tuesday that it may consider layoffs by August if it remains off the air.
- reports from Rose Carmelle Lacuata and Gabriel Agcaoili, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/19/20/house-drops-abs-cbns-provisional-franchise-to-tackle-bills-for-25-year-license
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
ABS-CBN reopening delay seen with new House tack
The House of Representatives on Tuesday abandoned a bill that would have reopened ABS-CBN sooner rather than later, opting instead to take the longer route of committee deliberations, which could keep the broadcast network off the air much longer.
The decision, hammered out during an afternoon majority caucus, was a complete departure from Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano’s proposed provisional franchise, which was already passed on second reading last week.
Instead of tackling a temporary franchise bill until October this year, congressmen decided to take up the network’s long-pending application of a new 25-year operating franchise.
“I, together with the House of Representatives’ leadership, have decided to forego with the provisional franchise and immediately proceed with the hearings on the full 25-year renewal application of the ABS-CBN franchise,” Cayetano said during the plenary session.
Cayetano promised to “immediately proceed” with hearings by the Committee on Legislative Franchises, which did not prioritize the ABS-CBN franchise renewal bills until it expired last May 4.
Cagayan De Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, who backed the interim franchise bill, said both chambers of Congress were not likely to finish the approval process for a regular franchise, given only 8 session days before they go on sine die break on June 6.
“I’m afraid of the lack of material time,” he told ABS-CBN News. “Kung di matapos by June 3, mahihirapan talaga. Mas matagal nakasara.”
Congress will resume session on July 27 for President Duterte's 5th State of the Nation Address.
INORDINATE DELAY
Prior to the majority caucus, minority Rep. Edcel Lagman warned Cayetano that abandoning the provisional franchise “would gravely compound the inordinate delay in the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.”
The House dropped the temporary franchise bill following heated debates on Monday when several congressmen cited complaints over ABS-CBN’s alleged violations of its old franchises.
Some congressmen complained about the swift pace with which the House was pushing the approval of ABS-CBN’s temporary franchise.
Others sought deliberations on a regular 25-year franchise, instead of a provisional one, which was tackled by the House constituted as a Committee of the Whole.
Following Tuesday’s caucus, the majority agreed that issues raised against the network were “quite credible and quite important” and should be “best ventilated and threshed out” before the legislative franchises committee, said Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
Cayetano laid down “non-negotiable ground rules” before the committee would tackle ABS-CBN’s franchise, citing the need to focus on defeating the coronavirus pandemic.
Congressmen, he said, would “multi-task” and should vote on the franchise bill in accordance with their conscience and not their politics.”
Cayetano also insisted that committee hearings would be “fair, impartial, comprehensive, and thorough."
SHORT-LIVED
The short-lived provisional franchise proposal was recalled on Monday following concerns that its one-day approval on first and second reading last week violated the constitution, which requires separate days.
But instead of going through the formalities of another second reading, going through a period of debates and individual amendments, the chamber suspended deliberations in the evening.
At a Senate hearing the following day, ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak said the network’s objective was “hopefully to secure a 25-year franchise.”
“But if securing a short-term franchise is the fastest way to go back on air, then we have no objection to that,” he said.
Katigbak also warned that the company might consider laying off employees by August if it failed to resume its free TV and radio broadcast. At risk are over 11,000 jobs.
"We continue to lose a substantial amount of money every month and I'm afraid that if we cannot get back on air soon, by August we may already have to consider beginning a retrenchment process," he said.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/19/20/abs-cbn-reopening-delay-seen-with-new-house-tack
The decision, hammered out during an afternoon majority caucus, was a complete departure from Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano’s proposed provisional franchise, which was already passed on second reading last week.
Instead of tackling a temporary franchise bill until October this year, congressmen decided to take up the network’s long-pending application of a new 25-year operating franchise.
“I, together with the House of Representatives’ leadership, have decided to forego with the provisional franchise and immediately proceed with the hearings on the full 25-year renewal application of the ABS-CBN franchise,” Cayetano said during the plenary session.
Cayetano promised to “immediately proceed” with hearings by the Committee on Legislative Franchises, which did not prioritize the ABS-CBN franchise renewal bills until it expired last May 4.
Cagayan De Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, who backed the interim franchise bill, said both chambers of Congress were not likely to finish the approval process for a regular franchise, given only 8 session days before they go on sine die break on June 6.
“I’m afraid of the lack of material time,” he told ABS-CBN News. “Kung di matapos by June 3, mahihirapan talaga. Mas matagal nakasara.”
Congress will resume session on July 27 for President Duterte's 5th State of the Nation Address.
INORDINATE DELAY
Prior to the majority caucus, minority Rep. Edcel Lagman warned Cayetano that abandoning the provisional franchise “would gravely compound the inordinate delay in the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.”
The House dropped the temporary franchise bill following heated debates on Monday when several congressmen cited complaints over ABS-CBN’s alleged violations of its old franchises.
Some congressmen complained about the swift pace with which the House was pushing the approval of ABS-CBN’s temporary franchise.
Others sought deliberations on a regular 25-year franchise, instead of a provisional one, which was tackled by the House constituted as a Committee of the Whole.
Following Tuesday’s caucus, the majority agreed that issues raised against the network were “quite credible and quite important” and should be “best ventilated and threshed out” before the legislative franchises committee, said Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
Cayetano laid down “non-negotiable ground rules” before the committee would tackle ABS-CBN’s franchise, citing the need to focus on defeating the coronavirus pandemic.
Congressmen, he said, would “multi-task” and should vote on the franchise bill in accordance with their conscience and not their politics.”
Cayetano also insisted that committee hearings would be “fair, impartial, comprehensive, and thorough."
SHORT-LIVED
The short-lived provisional franchise proposal was recalled on Monday following concerns that its one-day approval on first and second reading last week violated the constitution, which requires separate days.
But instead of going through the formalities of another second reading, going through a period of debates and individual amendments, the chamber suspended deliberations in the evening.
At a Senate hearing the following day, ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak said the network’s objective was “hopefully to secure a 25-year franchise.”
“But if securing a short-term franchise is the fastest way to go back on air, then we have no objection to that,” he said.
Katigbak also warned that the company might consider laying off employees by August if it failed to resume its free TV and radio broadcast. At risk are over 11,000 jobs.
"We continue to lose a substantial amount of money every month and I'm afraid that if we cannot get back on air soon, by August we may already have to consider beginning a retrenchment process," he said.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/19/20/abs-cbn-reopening-delay-seen-with-new-house-tack
House drops ABS-CBN's provisional franchise, to tackle bills for 25-year license
The House of Representatives on Tuesday decided to stop deliberations on a provisional franchise for ABS-CBN Corp, opting instead to hear bills for a 25-year franchise.
Speaking to the plenary, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said they have decided to forego the provisional franchise- a proposal he led giving ABS-CBN license until October 2020- citing the divisiveness it has brought to the chamber.
"Because of all this divisiveness and after consulting with the members of the House, the political parties, and the regional groups… I, together with the House of Representatives leadership have decided to forego with the provisional franchise, and immediately proceed with the hearings for the full 25-year renewal application of the ABS-CBN franchise," he said.
The proposed provisional franchise was passed on first and second reading on the same day last week, but the House opted to reopen the period of debates and amendments Monday to avoid possible legal questions.
Cayetano said the bills for the ABS-CBN franchise renewal will be tackled by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.
He said the panel should "immediately and continuously hold hearings until everyone is heard." The chamber is set to go on break on June 5 and will come back when session reopens in the fourth week of July, when the President delivers his State of the Nation Address.
"And after everyone is heard, then we can decide," he said.
In his proposal last week, Cayetano said granting ABS-CBN provisional franchise would allow Congress to focus on response to the coronavirus pandemic and time to thoroughly discuss issues against ABS-CBN.
On Monday, lawmakers raised charges ABS-CBN has already answered in a Senate hearing in February, including tax and labor issues of which government officials have themselves cleared the network.
ABS-CBN's broadcast operations were halted on May 5 on orders of the National Telecommunications Commission, which issued a cease and desist order after the network's franchise lapsed on May 4.
Bills for the renewal of ABS-CBN's broadcast license have been pending for years. Its shutdown puts at risk some 11,000 jobs, with the network's President and CEO Carlo Katigbak telling a Senate hearing earlier Tuesday that it may consider layoffs by August if it remains off the air.
More details to follow.
- report from Rose Carmelle Lacuata, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/19/20/house-drops-abs-cbns-provisional-franchise-to-tackle-bills-for-25-year-license
Speaking to the plenary, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said they have decided to forego the provisional franchise- a proposal he led giving ABS-CBN license until October 2020- citing the divisiveness it has brought to the chamber.
"Because of all this divisiveness and after consulting with the members of the House, the political parties, and the regional groups… I, together with the House of Representatives leadership have decided to forego with the provisional franchise, and immediately proceed with the hearings for the full 25-year renewal application of the ABS-CBN franchise," he said.
The proposed provisional franchise was passed on first and second reading on the same day last week, but the House opted to reopen the period of debates and amendments Monday to avoid possible legal questions.
Cayetano said the bills for the ABS-CBN franchise renewal will be tackled by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.
He said the panel should "immediately and continuously hold hearings until everyone is heard." The chamber is set to go on break on June 5 and will come back when session reopens in the fourth week of July, when the President delivers his State of the Nation Address.
"And after everyone is heard, then we can decide," he said.
In his proposal last week, Cayetano said granting ABS-CBN provisional franchise would allow Congress to focus on response to the coronavirus pandemic and time to thoroughly discuss issues against ABS-CBN.
On Monday, lawmakers raised charges ABS-CBN has already answered in a Senate hearing in February, including tax and labor issues of which government officials have themselves cleared the network.
ABS-CBN's broadcast operations were halted on May 5 on orders of the National Telecommunications Commission, which issued a cease and desist order after the network's franchise lapsed on May 4.
Bills for the renewal of ABS-CBN's broadcast license have been pending for years. Its shutdown puts at risk some 11,000 jobs, with the network's President and CEO Carlo Katigbak telling a Senate hearing earlier Tuesday that it may consider layoffs by August if it remains off the air.
More details to follow.
- report from Rose Carmelle Lacuata, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/19/20/house-drops-abs-cbns-provisional-franchise-to-tackle-bills-for-25-year-license
Enrile: Why can’t Congress grant 25-year franchise to ABS-CBN?
Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile warned Tuesday that Congress would risk “emasculating” the constitution should it go for a temporary franchise allowing broadcast network ABS-CBN to resume its free TV and radio operations.
Enrile said the legislature should instead tackle a 25-year franchise for the shuttered network, saying there should be “permanence” in the legislative grant.
“Why can you not give a permanent franchise to ABS-CBN right away, conduct a day-and-night hearing… instead of playing with the constitution by granting a temporary franchise? he told a Senate inquiry.
“If Congress can grant a temporary franchise, what is the compelling reason for Congress not to grant a permanent franchise with a reasonable period of 25 years?”
Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Congress could decide on the length of the franchise using its “plenary powers” so long the period would not exceed the 50-year limit in the constitution.
A number of senators expressed reservations on the Senate hearing on ABS-CBN’s franchise since the House of Representatives has yet to approve its version. Under the Constitution, private bills such as the network’s franchise application must emanate from the House.
“This hearing might be premature,” said Sen. Francis Tolentino.
But Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who presided over the inquiry as the committee’s vice chairman, said the hearing was “anticipatory.”
Enrile acknowledged Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s concern that senators might face a “constitutional challenge” in case they agreed to the House proposal of a provisional franchise for ABS-CBN.
But amending the period to cover a full 25-year franchise will be “perfectly okay,” Enrile said.
Enrile said Congress should also consider the pending case against ABS-CBN before the Supreme Court, warning it “complicates” its deliberations on franchise renewal bills.
“If the Supreme Court will decide adversely against ABS-CBN, what will happen to the legislative action of Congress granting a new franchise to ABS-CBN?” he said.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/19/20/enrile-why-cant-congress-grant-25-year-franchise-to-abs-cbn
Enrile said the legislature should instead tackle a 25-year franchise for the shuttered network, saying there should be “permanence” in the legislative grant.
“Why can you not give a permanent franchise to ABS-CBN right away, conduct a day-and-night hearing… instead of playing with the constitution by granting a temporary franchise? he told a Senate inquiry.
“If Congress can grant a temporary franchise, what is the compelling reason for Congress not to grant a permanent franchise with a reasonable period of 25 years?”
Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Congress could decide on the length of the franchise using its “plenary powers” so long the period would not exceed the 50-year limit in the constitution.
A number of senators expressed reservations on the Senate hearing on ABS-CBN’s franchise since the House of Representatives has yet to approve its version. Under the Constitution, private bills such as the network’s franchise application must emanate from the House.
“This hearing might be premature,” said Sen. Francis Tolentino.
But Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who presided over the inquiry as the committee’s vice chairman, said the hearing was “anticipatory.”
Enrile acknowledged Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s concern that senators might face a “constitutional challenge” in case they agreed to the House proposal of a provisional franchise for ABS-CBN.
But amending the period to cover a full 25-year franchise will be “perfectly okay,” Enrile said.
Enrile said Congress should also consider the pending case against ABS-CBN before the Supreme Court, warning it “complicates” its deliberations on franchise renewal bills.
“If the Supreme Court will decide adversely against ABS-CBN, what will happen to the legislative action of Congress granting a new franchise to ABS-CBN?” he said.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/19/20/enrile-why-cant-congress-grant-25-year-franchise-to-abs-cbn
ABS-CBN may 'consider' retrenchment by August if it fails to resume airing: CEO
(2nd UPDATE) - ABS-CBN Corp may "consider" retrenching workers by August if it fails to resume broadcast soon, President and CEO Carlo Katigbak told a franchise hearing at the Senate Tuesday.
"We continue to lose a substantial amount of money every month and I'm afraid that if we cannot get back on air soon, by August, we may already have to consider beginning a retrenchment process," ABS-CBN CEO and President Carlo Katigbak told senators.
The broadcaster earlier told employees that it "would not take away any jobs for 3 months" following its May 5 shutdown, given "the difficult economic situation" that the coronavirus pandemic spawned, he said.
"We felt it would be very, very painful to put our employees out on the street without them having an idea as to how they can continue earning a living and continue to feed their families," Katigbak said.
"But unfortunately, we cannot make that commitment open-ended because we are also limited by financial constraints," he added.
ABS-CBN has been losing P30-35 million in advertising revenues daily since regulators forced it off air.
If this "severe financial hemorrhage" continues, ABS-CBN told the Supreme Court in an urgent motion Monday that it "may be constrained to eventually let go of workers, reduce salaries and benefits, and substantially cut down on costs and expenses."
QUICKEST WAY BACK ON AIR
The National Telecommunications Commission, under oath, told lawmakers in March that it would let the country's top broadcaster operate provisionally beyond the May 4 expiration of its license, while bills for its franchise renewal stalled in Congress.
But days after Solicitor General Jose Calida warned NTC officials that they could face graft charges if they gave ABS-CBN a provisional permit, the regulator ordered the 65-year-old media outfit to stop its broadcast operations due to its expired license.
A bill giving ABS-CBN a provisional franchise until Oct. 31 is scheduled for second reading at the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Senators said they would pass the bill before Congress goes on break in June, after which it would go to the Office of the President for signing.
"It is critical from a financial standpoint and from an employee welfare standpoint that we go back on air as quickly as possible," said ABS-CBN's Katigbak.
"If a provisional franchise until October is the quickest way to get us back on air, then we accept, with the hopes of course that we continue hearings to grant us the 25-year franchise," he said.
EMPLOYEE WELFARE
ABS-CBN gives its workers "pay and benefits that are above what the government has mandated and above what the industry is paying," Katigbak said.
"We commit that we will continue doing whatever we can to take care of employees to continuously better their compensation as the business improves," he said.
"It’s just that very difficult for us to have that discussion today…given the fact that we’re facing 2 very significant business challenges. As soon as we get back on air and as soon as business normalizes it would be easier for us to have those discussions at that point in time," he added.
The outfit's broadcast halt this month was the first since it was forced to sign off when martial law was declared in 1972.
The network has since asked the Supreme Court to block the NTC's cease-and-desist order.
news.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/19/20/abs-cbn-may-consider-retrenchment-by-august-if-it-fails-to-resume-airing-ceo
"We continue to lose a substantial amount of money every month and I'm afraid that if we cannot get back on air soon, by August, we may already have to consider beginning a retrenchment process," ABS-CBN CEO and President Carlo Katigbak told senators.
The broadcaster earlier told employees that it "would not take away any jobs for 3 months" following its May 5 shutdown, given "the difficult economic situation" that the coronavirus pandemic spawned, he said.
"We felt it would be very, very painful to put our employees out on the street without them having an idea as to how they can continue earning a living and continue to feed their families," Katigbak said.
"But unfortunately, we cannot make that commitment open-ended because we are also limited by financial constraints," he added.
ABS-CBN has been losing P30-35 million in advertising revenues daily since regulators forced it off air.
If this "severe financial hemorrhage" continues, ABS-CBN told the Supreme Court in an urgent motion Monday that it "may be constrained to eventually let go of workers, reduce salaries and benefits, and substantially cut down on costs and expenses."
QUICKEST WAY BACK ON AIR
The National Telecommunications Commission, under oath, told lawmakers in March that it would let the country's top broadcaster operate provisionally beyond the May 4 expiration of its license, while bills for its franchise renewal stalled in Congress.
But days after Solicitor General Jose Calida warned NTC officials that they could face graft charges if they gave ABS-CBN a provisional permit, the regulator ordered the 65-year-old media outfit to stop its broadcast operations due to its expired license.
A bill giving ABS-CBN a provisional franchise until Oct. 31 is scheduled for second reading at the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Senators said they would pass the bill before Congress goes on break in June, after which it would go to the Office of the President for signing.
"It is critical from a financial standpoint and from an employee welfare standpoint that we go back on air as quickly as possible," said ABS-CBN's Katigbak.
"If a provisional franchise until October is the quickest way to get us back on air, then we accept, with the hopes of course that we continue hearings to grant us the 25-year franchise," he said.
EMPLOYEE WELFARE
ABS-CBN gives its workers "pay and benefits that are above what the government has mandated and above what the industry is paying," Katigbak said.
"We commit that we will continue doing whatever we can to take care of employees to continuously better their compensation as the business improves," he said.
"It’s just that very difficult for us to have that discussion today…given the fact that we’re facing 2 very significant business challenges. As soon as we get back on air and as soon as business normalizes it would be easier for us to have those discussions at that point in time," he added.
The outfit's broadcast halt this month was the first since it was forced to sign off when martial law was declared in 1972.
The network has since asked the Supreme Court to block the NTC's cease-and-desist order.
news.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/19/20/abs-cbn-may-consider-retrenchment-by-august-if-it-fails-to-resume-airing-ceo
Monday, May 18, 2020
ABS-CBN asks NTC to suspend proceedings seeking to recall its frequencies
ABS-CBN to NTC: No reason to hastily recall frequencies as Congress hinted grant of franchise
MANILA -- There is no basis for the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to hastily recall the frequencies assigned to ABS-CBN Corp. as it would turn out to be useless and costly, the media giant told the regulatory body last Friday.
"Recent developments in Congress...strongly indicate that ABS-CBN will soon be granted a new legislative franchise and will be able to resume operations," ABS-CBN said in its Verified Answer and Compliance.
Instead, ABS-CBN asked the NTC to suspend its proceedings pending the resolution of the network's petition before the Supreme Court.
The NTC, on May 5, gave the network 10 days to explain why the frequencies assigned to it should not be recalled as it ordered the ABS-CBN, DZMM and all its stations nationwide to immediately cease its broadcasts. The network complied with the cease and desist order.
The order covered 23 AM and FM radio stations, 42 analog TV stations and 10 DTV stations across the country.
On May 13, the House of Representatives passed on second reading House Bill No. 6732 which seeks to grant ABS-CBN a provisional franchise to operate until October 31 this year.
According to the network, the Senate, which is expected to also pass the bill, and the President, who will sign it, have indicated the grant of a franchise to ABS-CBN.
"An order to recall ABS-CBN's existing frequencies at this time will not only be useless but will even be wasteful," it argued, explaining that recalling ABS-CBN's frequencies would mean that the network would not be able to resume its broadcasts immediately.
"Worse, if the frequencies were to be reassigned to a third party, ABS-CBN would have to comply with all the regulatory processes for transferring to a new set of frequencies, even assuming that there would be available frequencies. ABS-CBN would also have to incur significant capital expenditures for re-tuning its equipment or replacing its broadcast system," it explained.
The network also said allowing ABS-CBN to continue operating is consistent with legislative intent, Congress having the sole power to grant and renew legislative franchises.
SUSPEND PROCEEDINGS
Rather than continue with the recall proceedings, ABS-CBN said the NTC should halt its proceedings as a matter of judicial courtesy, invoking the same reason NTC said in its response to the House of Representatives' show cause order.
The House had asked the NTC to explain why it should not be cited for disobeying its order to issue a provisional authority to ABS-CBN and instead issued a CDO.
The network cited its pending petition before the Supreme Court.
"While the relief sought before the Supreme Court is distinct, some arguments on the invalidity of the CDO are inextricably intertwined with the issue of whether this Honorable Commission should recall ABS-CBN's existing frequencies, in particular: (a) that due deference should have been accorded by this Honorable Commission to the legislature's exercise of its plenary power, and (b) that the Honorable Commission deviated from past practice and violated ABS-CBN's right to equal protection of the laws," it said.
"Due respect for the Supreme Court and practical and ethical considerations, therefore, dictate that that this Honorable Commission await the final determination of ABS-CBN's Petition in G.R. No. 252119 before proceeding with the instant case."
On Monday, ABS-CBN urged the Supreme Court to act on its plea for a temporary restraining order to halt the implementation of the NTC's cease and desist order and bring it back to air in a bid to stem P30-35 million pesos in revenue losses every day and save the jobs of its 11,000 workers.
ABS-CBN also reminded the NTC to comply with the requirements of procedural due process such as the right to a hearing before its frequencies can be recalled.
In its Supreme Court petition, it said its right to due process was violated when it was not notified nor heard prior to the issuance of the closure order.
"[T]he recall of ABS-CBN's frequencies at this time would serve no useful purpose, in light of the forthcoming grant of a franchise and the pendency of a case with similar issues before the Supreme Court," the network stressed.
"In fact, the recall could only be detrimental to the public interest, as it would hamper the ability of ABS-CBN to immediately resume serving the public through its broadcasts, once the franchise is granted."
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/18/20/abs-cbn-asks-ntc-to-suspend-proceedings-seeking-to-recall-its-frequencies
MANILA -- There is no basis for the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to hastily recall the frequencies assigned to ABS-CBN Corp. as it would turn out to be useless and costly, the media giant told the regulatory body last Friday.
"Recent developments in Congress...strongly indicate that ABS-CBN will soon be granted a new legislative franchise and will be able to resume operations," ABS-CBN said in its Verified Answer and Compliance.
Instead, ABS-CBN asked the NTC to suspend its proceedings pending the resolution of the network's petition before the Supreme Court.
The NTC, on May 5, gave the network 10 days to explain why the frequencies assigned to it should not be recalled as it ordered the ABS-CBN, DZMM and all its stations nationwide to immediately cease its broadcasts. The network complied with the cease and desist order.
The order covered 23 AM and FM radio stations, 42 analog TV stations and 10 DTV stations across the country.
On May 13, the House of Representatives passed on second reading House Bill No. 6732 which seeks to grant ABS-CBN a provisional franchise to operate until October 31 this year.
According to the network, the Senate, which is expected to also pass the bill, and the President, who will sign it, have indicated the grant of a franchise to ABS-CBN.
"An order to recall ABS-CBN's existing frequencies at this time will not only be useless but will even be wasteful," it argued, explaining that recalling ABS-CBN's frequencies would mean that the network would not be able to resume its broadcasts immediately.
"Worse, if the frequencies were to be reassigned to a third party, ABS-CBN would have to comply with all the regulatory processes for transferring to a new set of frequencies, even assuming that there would be available frequencies. ABS-CBN would also have to incur significant capital expenditures for re-tuning its equipment or replacing its broadcast system," it explained.
The network also said allowing ABS-CBN to continue operating is consistent with legislative intent, Congress having the sole power to grant and renew legislative franchises.
SUSPEND PROCEEDINGS
Rather than continue with the recall proceedings, ABS-CBN said the NTC should halt its proceedings as a matter of judicial courtesy, invoking the same reason NTC said in its response to the House of Representatives' show cause order.
The House had asked the NTC to explain why it should not be cited for disobeying its order to issue a provisional authority to ABS-CBN and instead issued a CDO.
The network cited its pending petition before the Supreme Court.
"While the relief sought before the Supreme Court is distinct, some arguments on the invalidity of the CDO are inextricably intertwined with the issue of whether this Honorable Commission should recall ABS-CBN's existing frequencies, in particular: (a) that due deference should have been accorded by this Honorable Commission to the legislature's exercise of its plenary power, and (b) that the Honorable Commission deviated from past practice and violated ABS-CBN's right to equal protection of the laws," it said.
"Due respect for the Supreme Court and practical and ethical considerations, therefore, dictate that that this Honorable Commission await the final determination of ABS-CBN's Petition in G.R. No. 252119 before proceeding with the instant case."
On Monday, ABS-CBN urged the Supreme Court to act on its plea for a temporary restraining order to halt the implementation of the NTC's cease and desist order and bring it back to air in a bid to stem P30-35 million pesos in revenue losses every day and save the jobs of its 11,000 workers.
ABS-CBN also reminded the NTC to comply with the requirements of procedural due process such as the right to a hearing before its frequencies can be recalled.
In its Supreme Court petition, it said its right to due process was violated when it was not notified nor heard prior to the issuance of the closure order.
"[T]he recall of ABS-CBN's frequencies at this time would serve no useful purpose, in light of the forthcoming grant of a franchise and the pendency of a case with similar issues before the Supreme Court," the network stressed.
"In fact, the recall could only be detrimental to the public interest, as it would hamper the ability of ABS-CBN to immediately resume serving the public through its broadcasts, once the franchise is granted."
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/18/20/abs-cbn-asks-ntc-to-suspend-proceedings-seeking-to-recall-its-frequencies
ABS-CBN urges Supreme Court to stop shutdown immediately, protect 11,000 workers
ABS-CBN Corp on Monday urged the Supreme Court to immediately act on its plea to resume its broadcast operation in a bid to stop millions of pesos in revenue loss and protect the jobs of 11,000 workers.
The country's top broadcaster said it had lost P30 to P35 million in advertising revenues daily since the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) forced it off air last May 5 over its stalled franchise renewal in Congress.
"If this severe financial hemorrhage is not stopped, ABS-CBN may be constrained to eventually let go of workers, reduce salaries and benefits, and substantially cut down on costs and expenses," the network said in a motion filed before the Supreme Court.
ABS-CBN on May 7 filed petition for the high court to stop the NTC's cease and desist order. The Supreme Court will tackle the petition on Tuesday, May 19.
In its motion, the media giant said the Court had granted temporary restraining orders (TRO) in the past where it found irreparable damage which could lead to tremendous loss or even closure of a business and where there is no assurance that a company can recover from the losses.
It also cited public interest as a ground for the issuance of the TRO or a writ of preliminary injunction, noting that ABS-CBN employed 11,000 workers throughout its various subsidiaries and affiliates.
Its shutdown, its lawyers argued, also affects third parties like talents, content creators, security guards, canteen helpers, drivers, utility personnel, even the multibillion-peso advertising industry which spends 75 percent of its P151-billion business into television.
ABS-CBN also invoked its contributions to Philippine society: P70.5 billion in taxes paid from 2003 to 2020; providing needed information to 99 percent of households in the Philippine, 70% of whom tuned in to ABS-CBN in 2019.
"With ABS-CBN's unparalleled reach, it is imperative that ABS-CBN be on air to give timely and reliable information to the public, especially in light of the current public health emergency and the natural calamities that regularly threaten the country, such as typhoons, earthquakes and floods," it said.
The network also noted that is has raised P237 million to fund response to the coronavirus pandemic but fund raising efforts have been curtailed by the CDO.
ABS-CBN shares fell by 9.6 percent as it resumed trading on Monday, down to P15.82 per share from P17.50 on May 5 when the CDO was served. Analysts predict it could go as low as P12.25 per share.
PROVISIONAL FRANCHISE BILL
While the network acknowledged efforts in Congress to pass a provisional franchise to allow it to operate until October 31 this year, it said it would still take time before House Bill No. 6732 is passed into law and it will still go through approval in the Senate and by the President as well as publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
"Moreover, ABS-CBN will, thereafter, have to seek and obtain from the NTC the necessary permits to operate. This may take some week, if not months," it said.
"In the meantime, ABS-CBN, its employees, various stakeholders, and the general public will continue to suffer grave and irreparable injury as a result of the Cease and Desist Order issued by the NTC."
Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez earlier said he would ask House leaders on Monday to recall the approval of the bill on second reading to prevent questions on its constitutionality.
Rodriguez also said he wanted to amend a provision that required ABS-CBN to allot 10 percent of its advertisement airtime to "public service time for the judiciary, for the executive, for the legislature, for the constitutional commission."
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/18/20/abs-cbn-urges-supreme-court-to-stop-shutdown-immediately-protect-11000-workers
The country's top broadcaster said it had lost P30 to P35 million in advertising revenues daily since the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) forced it off air last May 5 over its stalled franchise renewal in Congress.
"If this severe financial hemorrhage is not stopped, ABS-CBN may be constrained to eventually let go of workers, reduce salaries and benefits, and substantially cut down on costs and expenses," the network said in a motion filed before the Supreme Court.
ABS-CBN on May 7 filed petition for the high court to stop the NTC's cease and desist order. The Supreme Court will tackle the petition on Tuesday, May 19.
In its motion, the media giant said the Court had granted temporary restraining orders (TRO) in the past where it found irreparable damage which could lead to tremendous loss or even closure of a business and where there is no assurance that a company can recover from the losses.
It also cited public interest as a ground for the issuance of the TRO or a writ of preliminary injunction, noting that ABS-CBN employed 11,000 workers throughout its various subsidiaries and affiliates.
Its shutdown, its lawyers argued, also affects third parties like talents, content creators, security guards, canteen helpers, drivers, utility personnel, even the multibillion-peso advertising industry which spends 75 percent of its P151-billion business into television.
ABS-CBN also invoked its contributions to Philippine society: P70.5 billion in taxes paid from 2003 to 2020; providing needed information to 99 percent of households in the Philippine, 70% of whom tuned in to ABS-CBN in 2019.
"With ABS-CBN's unparalleled reach, it is imperative that ABS-CBN be on air to give timely and reliable information to the public, especially in light of the current public health emergency and the natural calamities that regularly threaten the country, such as typhoons, earthquakes and floods," it said.
The network also noted that is has raised P237 million to fund response to the coronavirus pandemic but fund raising efforts have been curtailed by the CDO.
ABS-CBN shares fell by 9.6 percent as it resumed trading on Monday, down to P15.82 per share from P17.50 on May 5 when the CDO was served. Analysts predict it could go as low as P12.25 per share.
PROVISIONAL FRANCHISE BILL
While the network acknowledged efforts in Congress to pass a provisional franchise to allow it to operate until October 31 this year, it said it would still take time before House Bill No. 6732 is passed into law and it will still go through approval in the Senate and by the President as well as publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
"Moreover, ABS-CBN will, thereafter, have to seek and obtain from the NTC the necessary permits to operate. This may take some week, if not months," it said.
"In the meantime, ABS-CBN, its employees, various stakeholders, and the general public will continue to suffer grave and irreparable injury as a result of the Cease and Desist Order issued by the NTC."
Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez earlier said he would ask House leaders on Monday to recall the approval of the bill on second reading to prevent questions on its constitutionality.
Rodriguez also said he wanted to amend a provision that required ABS-CBN to allot 10 percent of its advertisement airtime to "public service time for the judiciary, for the executive, for the legislature, for the constitutional commission."
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/18/20/abs-cbn-urges-supreme-court-to-stop-shutdown-immediately-protect-11000-workers
House bill on Kapamilya franchise a welcome development
Thank you, Our Lady of Fatima! On May 13, her feast day, ABS-CBN got its Provisional License from Congress with House Bill 6732, authored by Congressmen Alan Peter Cayetano, Boyet Gonzalez, Raneo Abu, Robbie Puno, Dan Fernandez, LRay Villafuerte, Martin Romualdez and Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado.
The bill allows the network to operate until Oct. 31, 2020. An optimistic and expeditious timeline starts today, May 18, where congress is expected to have its third and final reading, after which the bill will be transmitted to the Senate tomorrow, May 19. On May 20, the Senate will have its first hearing, its second reading on May 25, and its third and final reading on June 1.
Hopefully, both houses will ratify the bill by June 3 and then submit it to Pres. Rodrigo Duterte for his signature. The president then has three options: One, sign it into law; two, veto it; and three, not sign it and wait 30 days until it automatically becomes a law. Barring any delays or objections, ABS-CBN will be back on air by the first week of June. In the interim, the House of Representatives and the Senate will start deliberating on the franchise renewal good for 25 years.
This is a very welcome development since ABS-CBN went off the air on May 5. Social media was flooded with messages of sympathy, support and love for the network. On the other hand, many netizens also gloated and criticized the network, rejoicing at ABS-CBN’s plight. The network became a divisive issue that added more stress and anxiety during this pandemic, especially to loyal viewers and listeners of ABS-CBN and DZMM who only have free TV and radio to rely on for their news and entertainment. At least TV Patrol and Teleradyo are still available online and on SkyCable Channel 26 and TV Plus Channel 5.
There is also a chance that ABS-CBN can go back on air sooner if the Supreme Court issues a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on the Cease and Desist Order (CDO) earlier filed by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) against the network. Several legal luminaries have expressed that what NTC did was a clear violation of due process. It blatantly disregarded the power of Congress, which has the sole authority to revoke and issue franchises. Hopefully, the Supreme Court will come out with a favorable decision.
The clamor for ABS-CBN to return has been overwhelming. As I write this (on May 15), signal No. 3 has been raised over Samar and Sorsogon because of Typhoon Ambo, which has brought heavy rains and strong winds. There are some remote areas in these regions that rely solely on the radio for news. Sadly, because ABS-CBN is off the air there, those who reside in these remote areas will not be getting the accurate weather updates and pandemic situationers. They count on us to deliver. The loyal viewers of our teleseryes are also undoubtedly restless at this time, the hours seeming longer because entertainment options are limited or absent.
At this point, however, all we can do is wait for our lawmakers to conduct fair and impartial hearings, and pray fervently and relentlessly that our lawmakers are blessed with discernment, propriety and compassion for the majority.
OKS gives Kapamilya a new viewing experience
Beginning May 20, Kapamilya will be able to enjoy a new digital channel called OKS (Online Kapamilya Shows), a straight-to-digital website housed in abscbn.com. Because the globe is going digital, the Kapamilya network is pioneering our country’s efforts to produce original online content. When the COVID-19 pandemic halted the production of taped shows, an opportunity arose to focus the network’s efforts on the creation of short-form web content. Thirty shows were approved for the May 20 launch, all of which are edgy, experimental, interactive and highly entertaining. Of course, the shows will all bear the “tatak Kapamilya” seal since they are topbilled by ABS-CBN artists. According to Digital Content head Richard Reynante, OKS will be a new viewing experience.
https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2020/05/18/2014664/house-bill-kapamilya-franchise-welcome-development-pat-p
The bill allows the network to operate until Oct. 31, 2020. An optimistic and expeditious timeline starts today, May 18, where congress is expected to have its third and final reading, after which the bill will be transmitted to the Senate tomorrow, May 19. On May 20, the Senate will have its first hearing, its second reading on May 25, and its third and final reading on June 1.
Hopefully, both houses will ratify the bill by June 3 and then submit it to Pres. Rodrigo Duterte for his signature. The president then has three options: One, sign it into law; two, veto it; and three, not sign it and wait 30 days until it automatically becomes a law. Barring any delays or objections, ABS-CBN will be back on air by the first week of June. In the interim, the House of Representatives and the Senate will start deliberating on the franchise renewal good for 25 years.
This is a very welcome development since ABS-CBN went off the air on May 5. Social media was flooded with messages of sympathy, support and love for the network. On the other hand, many netizens also gloated and criticized the network, rejoicing at ABS-CBN’s plight. The network became a divisive issue that added more stress and anxiety during this pandemic, especially to loyal viewers and listeners of ABS-CBN and DZMM who only have free TV and radio to rely on for their news and entertainment. At least TV Patrol and Teleradyo are still available online and on SkyCable Channel 26 and TV Plus Channel 5.
There is also a chance that ABS-CBN can go back on air sooner if the Supreme Court issues a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on the Cease and Desist Order (CDO) earlier filed by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) against the network. Several legal luminaries have expressed that what NTC did was a clear violation of due process. It blatantly disregarded the power of Congress, which has the sole authority to revoke and issue franchises. Hopefully, the Supreme Court will come out with a favorable decision.
The clamor for ABS-CBN to return has been overwhelming. As I write this (on May 15), signal No. 3 has been raised over Samar and Sorsogon because of Typhoon Ambo, which has brought heavy rains and strong winds. There are some remote areas in these regions that rely solely on the radio for news. Sadly, because ABS-CBN is off the air there, those who reside in these remote areas will not be getting the accurate weather updates and pandemic situationers. They count on us to deliver. The loyal viewers of our teleseryes are also undoubtedly restless at this time, the hours seeming longer because entertainment options are limited or absent.
At this point, however, all we can do is wait for our lawmakers to conduct fair and impartial hearings, and pray fervently and relentlessly that our lawmakers are blessed with discernment, propriety and compassion for the majority.
OKS gives Kapamilya a new viewing experience
Beginning May 20, Kapamilya will be able to enjoy a new digital channel called OKS (Online Kapamilya Shows), a straight-to-digital website housed in abscbn.com. Because the globe is going digital, the Kapamilya network is pioneering our country’s efforts to produce original online content. When the COVID-19 pandemic halted the production of taped shows, an opportunity arose to focus the network’s efforts on the creation of short-form web content. Thirty shows were approved for the May 20 launch, all of which are edgy, experimental, interactive and highly entertaining. Of course, the shows will all bear the “tatak Kapamilya” seal since they are topbilled by ABS-CBN artists. According to Digital Content head Richard Reynante, OKS will be a new viewing experience.
https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2020/05/18/2014664/house-bill-kapamilya-franchise-welcome-development-pat-p
House panel to probe ABS-CBN violations
A key leader of the House of Representatives served notice to the Lopez-owned ABS-CBN that the chamber will still look into alleged violations of the TV giant’s legislative franchise even if a new franchise is already underway.
Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, chairman of the House committee on legislative franchises, made it clear that they will take up all House resolutions related to the renewal, “including” that of Davao City Rep. and Deputy Speaker Paolo Duterte’s House Resolution 853.
The resolution, co-authored by Reps. Abraham Tolentino (Tagaytay) – brother of Sen. Francis Tolentino – and ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Go Yap, wants the House leadership to conduct “an investigation into ABS-CBN’s alleged violations of its franchise.”
Both Tolentino and Yap are allies of the Duterte administration – Tolentino heads the House accounts committee while Yap sits as chairman of the committee on appropriations.
“Whereas, ABS-CBN Corp. is operating a pay-per-view channel through free-to-air signals in violation of its legislative franchise. By charging the public with this pay-per-view Kapamilya Box Office channel through TV Plus, it has been gaining huge profits at the expense of the public while using the air frequencies provided by the government for free,” they declared.
The Alvarez committee was tasked to investigate the alleged franchise violations as ABS-CBN tries to renew its expired May 4 franchise, hoping to extend it for another 25 years, or until 2045.
The House has constituted itself into a committee of the whole and approved on second reading a bill giving the broadcast network franchise that will be valid until Oct. 31 this year, subject to the lawmakers’ final decision to issue a 25-year franchise or not.
Last week, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has asked their counterparts in the Senate to respect the discretion and actions of the House on the franchise renewal application of broadcast giant ABS-CBN.
“We want to work with you, to build our nation, but respect our timing and manner of holding our hearings. In other words, let’s all play nice and not just pretend to be nice,” Cayetano said in a statement.
“Allow us to do our jobs. Remember it is always easier to get 24 people to agree than 300. Remember we represent specific constituencies and sectors and that is why the 1987 Constitution provides that franchise bills will exclusively emanate from the House,” he said.
The Speaker made the appeal as several senators questioned the bill passed by the House allowing the network to return on air by granting a provisional franchise until October while Congress deliberates on its franchise renewal application.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, meantime, called on Cayetano to “cure” what he called as “defective passage of interim franchise” that may eventually be passed on third reading in the chamber.
“Exigency or even good motives cannot excuse or validate the repetition of an unconstitutional act or procedure,” he said, calling on the House leader to “desist from intransigence to cure defective passage of interim franchise.”
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/05/18/2014788/house-panel-probe-abs-cbn-violations
Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, chairman of the House committee on legislative franchises, made it clear that they will take up all House resolutions related to the renewal, “including” that of Davao City Rep. and Deputy Speaker Paolo Duterte’s House Resolution 853.
The resolution, co-authored by Reps. Abraham Tolentino (Tagaytay) – brother of Sen. Francis Tolentino – and ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Go Yap, wants the House leadership to conduct “an investigation into ABS-CBN’s alleged violations of its franchise.”
Both Tolentino and Yap are allies of the Duterte administration – Tolentino heads the House accounts committee while Yap sits as chairman of the committee on appropriations.
“Whereas, ABS-CBN Corp. is operating a pay-per-view channel through free-to-air signals in violation of its legislative franchise. By charging the public with this pay-per-view Kapamilya Box Office channel through TV Plus, it has been gaining huge profits at the expense of the public while using the air frequencies provided by the government for free,” they declared.
The Alvarez committee was tasked to investigate the alleged franchise violations as ABS-CBN tries to renew its expired May 4 franchise, hoping to extend it for another 25 years, or until 2045.
The House has constituted itself into a committee of the whole and approved on second reading a bill giving the broadcast network franchise that will be valid until Oct. 31 this year, subject to the lawmakers’ final decision to issue a 25-year franchise or not.
Last week, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has asked their counterparts in the Senate to respect the discretion and actions of the House on the franchise renewal application of broadcast giant ABS-CBN.
“We want to work with you, to build our nation, but respect our timing and manner of holding our hearings. In other words, let’s all play nice and not just pretend to be nice,” Cayetano said in a statement.
“Allow us to do our jobs. Remember it is always easier to get 24 people to agree than 300. Remember we represent specific constituencies and sectors and that is why the 1987 Constitution provides that franchise bills will exclusively emanate from the House,” he said.
The Speaker made the appeal as several senators questioned the bill passed by the House allowing the network to return on air by granting a provisional franchise until October while Congress deliberates on its franchise renewal application.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, meantime, called on Cayetano to “cure” what he called as “defective passage of interim franchise” that may eventually be passed on third reading in the chamber.
“Exigency or even good motives cannot excuse or validate the repetition of an unconstitutional act or procedure,” he said, calling on the House leader to “desist from intransigence to cure defective passage of interim franchise.”
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/05/18/2014788/house-panel-probe-abs-cbn-violations
Friday, May 15, 2020
Closure of ABS-CBN broadcast operations affects Filipinos in far-flung areas amid Ambo’s onslaught
Some checkpoint authorities in the border of Aurora Province were hopeful that media giant ABS-CBN will resume its broadcasting operations as the country faces its first typhoon, claiming it is the only network that has signal in far-flung areas.
Jeff Canoy, one of the network’s broadcast journalists who cover disasters, shared that he and his team encountered these police officers when they reached Aurora for the Typhoon “Ambo” (international name: “Vongfong”) coverage.
He narrated that when the authorities listed their names as they presented their identification cards issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force, one of the police officers asked him if he is one of the reporters who usually cover natural disasters.
Canoy confirmed this and he was later asked, “Babalik na ba kayo, sir?”
The reporter told the police officer that he and his team are just on their way to Aurora but the cop later clarified that he was referring to the network’s broadcasting operations and not their itinerary.
“Hindi sir. ‘Yung ABS, babalik na ba?” the officer asked.
Canoy answered that he is hoping the network can resume its broadcasting operations soon.
The police officer then told him that he is likewise hopeful for the network’s return, citing mobile signal woes.
“Facebook na lang ba kayo? Hirap ng data dito sa bundok, sir,” the officer said.
ABS-CBN went off the air on May 5, a day after its 25-year legislative franchise granted by the Congress on March 30, 1995 expired.
This was in compliance with the cease-and-desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission on May 5.
The network shifted its broadcasts to online platforms and other properties not affected by the closure order on May 7, where viewers can watch and listen to its news provided they have a stable internet connection.
The police officer claimed that in Aurora, only ABS-CBN has a strong network signal.
“ABS lang ang malakas ang signal dito. May bagyo ngayon, ‘di namin malaman kung ano nangyayari,” he told the reporter.
“Sana makabalik na kayo sir,” the police officer added.
Aurora is one of the provinces directly affected by Typhoon “Ambo” which has since made six landfalls ever since it entered the Philippine area of responsibility and initially landed on Eastern Samar on Thursday.
As of 11 a.m. today, parts of the province are under tropical cyclone wind signal number three which carries winds measuring 121 to 170 km/h expected in 18 hours.
The typhoon has so far complicated the country’s response in fighting the novel coronavirus as authorities enforce physical distancing measures in evacuation centers, among others.
Meanwhile, Canoy shared the whole story of the incident on Facebook, where it has gone viral with more than 6,000 shares and 39,000 reactions. He also shared this on Twitter.
Struggle of getting news updates
Other Filipinos in the comments section shared similar stories of residents supposedly having a hard time receiving news updates, citing that ABS-CBN is the only channel which their television and radios can pick signals from, living in far-flung areas.
“I got a tweet with similar concerns. Nag-aalala daw siya sa parents niya kasi malayo siya at sa lugar ng parents niya, ABS lang ang meron,” a Facebook user wrote and then shared a screengrab of the tweet.
The tweet reads, “Namomroblema po tuloy ang parents ko sa Sorsogon kasi sa munisipyo pa kami, malayo sa (siyudad). Wala silang mapapanoodan. Hay naku. Ngayon pa talaga. Without consideration ang NTC.”
Similar sentiments on the issue could also be found on the microblogging platform where Filipinos shared concerns about getting information while a typhoon is ravaging some parts of the country.
Another ABS-CBN broadcast journalist, Jervis Manahan, shared his fears over families affected by the typhoon whose only source of information is Channel 2.
“Nakakaiyak basahin ang mga comments at tweets ng mga taong nangangamba para sa mga kapamilya nilang taga-malayong lugar o isla ngayong may bagyo at walang ABS-CBN. Akala kasi ng publiko, lahat ng Pinoy may data, signal, o access sa social media. Hindi pala,” he said on Facebook.
“Nalalagay tuloy sa panganib ang mga tao. Sa halip na maging ligtas, mas nalalapit sila sa peligro. Paano kung hindi sila nakapaghanda sa bagyo?” Manahan added.
He recalled a past coverage where he interviewed a group of fishermen in Palawan who was nearly victimized by Typhoon “Vinta” which claimed more than 200 lives.
“Noong January 2018, sa Palawan, may mga na-interview akong mangingisda. Inabutan ng bagyo sa dagat. Na-radiohan naman noong malapit na ang Bagyong Vinta,” Manahan said.
“Pero nasira pa rin ang bangka, mabuti na lang at nakaligtas sila.Kaya naman napakahalaga ang access sa impormasyon at balita, kasi minsan, buhay ang nakataya,” he continued.
Manahan hoped that people who are against the network would consider others in far-flung areas whose only means of information is through television or radio which could only gather signals transmitted by Channel 2, especially in times of disasters.
Franchise renewal woes
The ABS-CBN shutdown affected 42 analog television stations, including the network’s flagship Channel 2, ten digital broadcasting channels, 18 FM radio stations and five AM radio stations.
The network’s franchise was supposed to be renewed by the legislative body this year but it has since languished in the Congress, particularly the lower House, where at least 11 of different bills have already been filed.
A blame game occurred among some members of the House of Representatives in which House Speaker Alan Cayetano accused the NTC of “ambushing” the lower House who he claimed was supposed to tackle the bill.
The NTC was reportedly threatened by Solicitor General Jose Calida prior to the issuance of the cease-and-desist order.
The lower chamber has since approved a bill giving the network provisional franchise up to December 31, 2020. Latest reports indicate that ABS-CBN’s provisional franchise has already been approved on the second reading.
Once it gets the House’s nod on the third deliberation, it would then be tackled by the Senate and will later be up for the president’s approval.
https://www.interaksyon.com/politics-issues/2020/05/15/168549/closure-abs-cbn-broadcast-operations-affects-filipinos-in-far-flung-areas-amid-ambos-onslaught/
Jeff Canoy, one of the network’s broadcast journalists who cover disasters, shared that he and his team encountered these police officers when they reached Aurora for the Typhoon “Ambo” (international name: “Vongfong”) coverage.
He narrated that when the authorities listed their names as they presented their identification cards issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force, one of the police officers asked him if he is one of the reporters who usually cover natural disasters.
Canoy confirmed this and he was later asked, “Babalik na ba kayo, sir?”
The reporter told the police officer that he and his team are just on their way to Aurora but the cop later clarified that he was referring to the network’s broadcasting operations and not their itinerary.
“Hindi sir. ‘Yung ABS, babalik na ba?” the officer asked.
Canoy answered that he is hoping the network can resume its broadcasting operations soon.
The police officer then told him that he is likewise hopeful for the network’s return, citing mobile signal woes.
“Facebook na lang ba kayo? Hirap ng data dito sa bundok, sir,” the officer said.
ABS-CBN went off the air on May 5, a day after its 25-year legislative franchise granted by the Congress on March 30, 1995 expired.
This was in compliance with the cease-and-desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission on May 5.
The network shifted its broadcasts to online platforms and other properties not affected by the closure order on May 7, where viewers can watch and listen to its news provided they have a stable internet connection.
The police officer claimed that in Aurora, only ABS-CBN has a strong network signal.
“ABS lang ang malakas ang signal dito. May bagyo ngayon, ‘di namin malaman kung ano nangyayari,” he told the reporter.
“Sana makabalik na kayo sir,” the police officer added.
Aurora is one of the provinces directly affected by Typhoon “Ambo” which has since made six landfalls ever since it entered the Philippine area of responsibility and initially landed on Eastern Samar on Thursday.
As of 11 a.m. today, parts of the province are under tropical cyclone wind signal number three which carries winds measuring 121 to 170 km/h expected in 18 hours.
The typhoon has so far complicated the country’s response in fighting the novel coronavirus as authorities enforce physical distancing measures in evacuation centers, among others.
Meanwhile, Canoy shared the whole story of the incident on Facebook, where it has gone viral with more than 6,000 shares and 39,000 reactions. He also shared this on Twitter.
Struggle of getting news updates
Other Filipinos in the comments section shared similar stories of residents supposedly having a hard time receiving news updates, citing that ABS-CBN is the only channel which their television and radios can pick signals from, living in far-flung areas.
“I got a tweet with similar concerns. Nag-aalala daw siya sa parents niya kasi malayo siya at sa lugar ng parents niya, ABS lang ang meron,” a Facebook user wrote and then shared a screengrab of the tweet.
The tweet reads, “Namomroblema po tuloy ang parents ko sa Sorsogon kasi sa munisipyo pa kami, malayo sa (siyudad). Wala silang mapapanoodan. Hay naku. Ngayon pa talaga. Without consideration ang NTC.”
Similar sentiments on the issue could also be found on the microblogging platform where Filipinos shared concerns about getting information while a typhoon is ravaging some parts of the country.
Kahit dito sa Bicol sa Bulan Sorsogon ABS-CBN ang pinapanuod sobrang hirap kasi di Alam balita sa bagyo 😢#AmboPH https://t.co/793ax1NbXM— Sandrex (@drexgmiranda) May 14, 2020
nakakalungkot, Sa panahon pa tlaga ngaun nawala ang ABS CBN, isa ito sa pinagkukunan ng impormasyon sa isla nmin. kase ito ang may malakas na signal dun. nangangapa kung ano na, at gaano kalakas ang bagyo. mabibigla nalang na humahagupit na. @ANCALERTS @ABSCBNNews— Mikmik (@mikayfabian) May 15, 2020
Malaking tulong sana kung nagbabalita ngayon ang ABS-CBN. May bagyo tapos ang iba dito saamin, channel 2 lang ang abot ng signal. Awinduh baga san. 😪— death the kid (@yjjyx) May 14, 2020
Another ABS-CBN broadcast journalist, Jervis Manahan, shared his fears over families affected by the typhoon whose only source of information is Channel 2.
“Nakakaiyak basahin ang mga comments at tweets ng mga taong nangangamba para sa mga kapamilya nilang taga-malayong lugar o isla ngayong may bagyo at walang ABS-CBN. Akala kasi ng publiko, lahat ng Pinoy may data, signal, o access sa social media. Hindi pala,” he said on Facebook.
“Nalalagay tuloy sa panganib ang mga tao. Sa halip na maging ligtas, mas nalalapit sila sa peligro. Paano kung hindi sila nakapaghanda sa bagyo?” Manahan added.
He recalled a past coverage where he interviewed a group of fishermen in Palawan who was nearly victimized by Typhoon “Vinta” which claimed more than 200 lives.
“Noong January 2018, sa Palawan, may mga na-interview akong mangingisda. Inabutan ng bagyo sa dagat. Na-radiohan naman noong malapit na ang Bagyong Vinta,” Manahan said.
“Pero nasira pa rin ang bangka, mabuti na lang at nakaligtas sila.Kaya naman napakahalaga ang access sa impormasyon at balita, kasi minsan, buhay ang nakataya,” he continued.
Manahan hoped that people who are against the network would consider others in far-flung areas whose only means of information is through television or radio which could only gather signals transmitted by Channel 2, especially in times of disasters.
Franchise renewal woes
The ABS-CBN shutdown affected 42 analog television stations, including the network’s flagship Channel 2, ten digital broadcasting channels, 18 FM radio stations and five AM radio stations.
The network’s franchise was supposed to be renewed by the legislative body this year but it has since languished in the Congress, particularly the lower House, where at least 11 of different bills have already been filed.
A blame game occurred among some members of the House of Representatives in which House Speaker Alan Cayetano accused the NTC of “ambushing” the lower House who he claimed was supposed to tackle the bill.
The NTC was reportedly threatened by Solicitor General Jose Calida prior to the issuance of the cease-and-desist order.
The lower chamber has since approved a bill giving the network provisional franchise up to December 31, 2020. Latest reports indicate that ABS-CBN’s provisional franchise has already been approved on the second reading.
Once it gets the House’s nod on the third deliberation, it would then be tackled by the Senate and will later be up for the president’s approval.
https://www.interaksyon.com/politics-issues/2020/05/15/168549/closure-abs-cbn-broadcast-operations-affects-filipinos-in-far-flung-areas-amid-ambos-onslaught/
ABS-CBN says 'all conditions, qualifications' present for franchise renewal
ABS-CBN Corp told the stock Friday that it has "all the conditions and qualifications" to renew its franchise, adding its shutdown would significantly affect media, networks and studio entertainment operations.
The country's largest media and entertainment company said it "has not committed any violation" of its franchise that would merit its non-renewal or the suspension of its broadcast operations.
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed on second reading a bill that would grant ABS-CBN a temporary franchise until Oct. 31. This will give lawmakers time to deliberate on pending bills for a fresh 25-year license.
ABS-CBN signed off on May 5, a day after after its franchise expired, on orders from the National Telecommunications Commission. The NTC later apologized to the House for failing to notify lawmakers of the shutdown order.
The MNSE or Media, Networks, and Studio Entertainments (MNSE) operations tallied revenues of P23.3 billion at the end of September 2019, of which, P15.9 billion or approximately 68 percent was from free-to-air advertising, ABS-CBN said.
Free-to-air advertising accounted for half of consolidated revenue fo the same period.
"Even as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Philippine and global economy is yet to be fully realized, the Order will put additional financial burden on the company," it said.
ABS-CBN is "exploring alternative means to reach its audience and substitute sources of revenues," which includes expanding its digital footprint, according to the disclosure.
The network's flagship newscast, TV Patrol, started airing on YouTube and Facebook, gaining millions of views.
The company will implement cost control measures reduce overhead expenses and rationalize capital expenditures. It is also formulating measures to protect the welfare and interest of its employees, according to the disclosure.
Below is the full text of ABS-CBN Corp's disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on May 15, 2020:
Under the Order, the Company was directed to immediately cease and desist from operating its radio and television stations in Metro Manila and other regional stations (Channel 2, Sports and Action, DZMM, and MOR). On the same day, the Company advised its audience of the development and thereafter, signed off-air its television and radio stations in compliance with the Order of the NTC.
The Order will significantly impact the Company’s Media, Networks, and Studio Entertainments (MNSE) operations. For the period ended September 30, 2019, the revenues of this segment amounted to Php23.3B, of which, Php15.9B or approximately 68% of MSNE revenues, was free to-air advertising.
On a consolidated basis, free-to-air advertising was approximately 50% of the Company’s consolidated revenue for the period ended September 30, 2019. The actual impact on MNSE operations is difficult to estimate at this point since it will depend, among other things, on the duration of the time its television and radio stations are off-air, and its ability to generate alternative sources of revenues to make up for the shortfall.
Even as the impact of the CoVID19 pandemic on the Philippine and global economy is yet to be fully realized, the Order will put additional financial burden on the Company. As developments on these are still quickly evolving and changing from day-to-day, the Company finds that the transforming scenarios make assumptions, assessments and projections challenging and may not necessarily be valid or accurate for future scrutiny. Nonetheless, the Company has already undertaken and will continue to undertake measures to mitigate this impact and effect. Thus:
A. The Company continues to operate the following:
1. Media, Networks, and Studio Entertainment:
Content Creation – entertainment, news, sports, movie, music, channels, other content.
Content Distribution –The Filipino Channel (TFC), ABS CBN News Channel (ANC), Teleradyo, Cinema One, Metro Channel, Myx, Cinemo, Jeepney TV, and Yey
2. Cable, Satellite, and Broadband – Sky Cable, Sky Broadband, Sky Direct, and Sky on Demand
3. Digital and Interactive Media –iWant, abs-cbn.com, YouTube, Facebook, and other digital and other social media platforms
4. Consumer Products and Experiences – merchandise and promotional licensing, and physical experience business
B. The Company is exploring alternative means to reach its audience and substitute sources of revenues, such as but not limited to, expanding its digital platforms and developing new products.
C. The Company will continue to implement cost control measures, reducing general administrative expenses (GAEX) or overhead and rationalizing capital expenditures.
D. The Company is formulating measures to protect the welfare and interest of its employees.
As of September 30, 2019, the Company’s long-term debts amounted to Php21.336B. In light of the Order, the creditor banks have been apprised and are aware of the Company’s situation.
During these challenging and unprecedented times, the Company is committed to honor all existing obligations for goods delivered and services rendered by its third party suppliers.
Currently, we expect to pay all our bank debts in accordance with the existing payment schedule.
The Company intends to pursue such courses of action and shall exhaust all legal remedies available to it in order to resume its broadcasting operations. On May 7, 2020, the Company filed with the Supreme Court a Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition (the “Petition”), with urgent application of the issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order and/or a Writ of Preliminary Injunction (G.R Case No. 352119). In the Petition, the Company sought relief from the Supreme Court, as follows: (i) issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order, (ii) the issuance of a Writ of Preliminary Injunction after proceedings held and while the Petition is pending; and (iii) after further proceedings, the annulment and setting aside of the Order and declaration of permanent injunction, against the implementation of the Order. The following basic arguments were put forth and extensively discussed in the Petition in support of its prayer:
1. Direct resort to the Supreme Court is necessary and justified given the urgency and transcendental importance of the subject matter, and the grave and irreparable repercussions on public interest brought about by the issuance of the Order;
2. There is no plain, speedy and adequate remedy available to ABS-CBN other than the Petition;
3. Congress has the plenary power to grant and renew legislative franchises. Thus, instead of issuing the Order, the NTC should have just deferred to Congress;
4. The issuance of the Order deviated from past practice and violated the Company's right to equal protection of the law;
5. The Order likewise violates the Company's right to due process, because it was issued without due notice and hearing; violates the right of the public to information and curtail freedom of speech as well as cause serious and irreparable damage on ABS-CBN and thousands of its employees. Thus, strong public interest and equity demand that the Company be allowed to continue its operations.
Even as this Petition is pending, the Company is actively pursuing the renewal of its franchise from Congress and is ready to participate in any hearings or proceedings that may be scheduled at
any time.
In the current (or 18th) Congress, there are eleven bills, seeking the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, which are currently pending with the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, as well as three (3) Resolutions in relation to the renewal or extension of ABS-CBN’s franchise.
As of May 11, 2020, the following developments transpired in the House of Representatives:
a. included in its Order of Business on said date the first reading of House Bill No. 6694, entitled: An Act granting the ABS-CBN Corporation (formerly ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation) a franchise to construct, install, operate and maintain television and radio broadcasting stations in the Philippines, and for other purposes.
b. issued an Order, dated May 11, 2020, requiring the NTC and its Commissioners to explain why they should not be cited for contempt or proceeded against for issuing the Order.
c. three (3) Congressmen filed a resolution seeking an investigation on the alleged violations of ABS-CBN Corporation of its legislative franchise.Then, on May 13, 2020, the House of Representatives Committee of the Whole approved on second reading House Bill No. 6732 (HB 6732) or “An Act Granting the ABS-CBN Corporation A Franchise to Construct, Install, Operate and Maintain Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations in the Philippines, and For Other Purposes”, which bill grants ABS-CBN Corporation a franchise valid until October 31, 2020.
In the Senate, two (2) Bills seeking the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, as well as a bill seeking to extended the term of the franchise, have also been introduced before and pending with the
Senate Committee on Rules. Upon approval of HB6732 on third reading, it is expected that the bill will be transmitted to the Senate for its concurrence.
The Company is confident that it is has not committed any violation of the terms of its franchise, permits and licenses or any applicable law or regulations as to merit the non-renewal of its franchise or suspension of its broadcast operations as a consequence.
Thus, the Company believes that while a franchise is a privilege which is the sole prerogative of Congress to grant, it possesses all the conditions and qualifications to have its franchise renewed.
We are prepared to update this disclosure in due course and as soon as new developments arise.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/15/20/abs-cbn-says-all-conditions-qualifications-present-for-franchise-renewal
The country's largest media and entertainment company said it "has not committed any violation" of its franchise that would merit its non-renewal or the suspension of its broadcast operations.
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed on second reading a bill that would grant ABS-CBN a temporary franchise until Oct. 31. This will give lawmakers time to deliberate on pending bills for a fresh 25-year license.
ABS-CBN signed off on May 5, a day after after its franchise expired, on orders from the National Telecommunications Commission. The NTC later apologized to the House for failing to notify lawmakers of the shutdown order.
The MNSE or Media, Networks, and Studio Entertainments (MNSE) operations tallied revenues of P23.3 billion at the end of September 2019, of which, P15.9 billion or approximately 68 percent was from free-to-air advertising, ABS-CBN said.
Free-to-air advertising accounted for half of consolidated revenue fo the same period.
"Even as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Philippine and global economy is yet to be fully realized, the Order will put additional financial burden on the company," it said.
ABS-CBN is "exploring alternative means to reach its audience and substitute sources of revenues," which includes expanding its digital footprint, according to the disclosure.
The network's flagship newscast, TV Patrol, started airing on YouTube and Facebook, gaining millions of views.
The company will implement cost control measures reduce overhead expenses and rationalize capital expenditures. It is also formulating measures to protect the welfare and interest of its employees, according to the disclosure.
Below is the full text of ABS-CBN Corp's disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on May 15, 2020:
Under the Order, the Company was directed to immediately cease and desist from operating its radio and television stations in Metro Manila and other regional stations (Channel 2, Sports and Action, DZMM, and MOR). On the same day, the Company advised its audience of the development and thereafter, signed off-air its television and radio stations in compliance with the Order of the NTC.
The Order will significantly impact the Company’s Media, Networks, and Studio Entertainments (MNSE) operations. For the period ended September 30, 2019, the revenues of this segment amounted to Php23.3B, of which, Php15.9B or approximately 68% of MSNE revenues, was free to-air advertising.
On a consolidated basis, free-to-air advertising was approximately 50% of the Company’s consolidated revenue for the period ended September 30, 2019. The actual impact on MNSE operations is difficult to estimate at this point since it will depend, among other things, on the duration of the time its television and radio stations are off-air, and its ability to generate alternative sources of revenues to make up for the shortfall.
Even as the impact of the CoVID19 pandemic on the Philippine and global economy is yet to be fully realized, the Order will put additional financial burden on the Company. As developments on these are still quickly evolving and changing from day-to-day, the Company finds that the transforming scenarios make assumptions, assessments and projections challenging and may not necessarily be valid or accurate for future scrutiny. Nonetheless, the Company has already undertaken and will continue to undertake measures to mitigate this impact and effect. Thus:
A. The Company continues to operate the following:
1. Media, Networks, and Studio Entertainment:
Content Creation – entertainment, news, sports, movie, music, channels, other content.
Content Distribution –The Filipino Channel (TFC), ABS CBN News Channel (ANC), Teleradyo, Cinema One, Metro Channel, Myx, Cinemo, Jeepney TV, and Yey
2. Cable, Satellite, and Broadband – Sky Cable, Sky Broadband, Sky Direct, and Sky on Demand
3. Digital and Interactive Media –iWant, abs-cbn.com, YouTube, Facebook, and other digital and other social media platforms
4. Consumer Products and Experiences – merchandise and promotional licensing, and physical experience business
B. The Company is exploring alternative means to reach its audience and substitute sources of revenues, such as but not limited to, expanding its digital platforms and developing new products.
C. The Company will continue to implement cost control measures, reducing general administrative expenses (GAEX) or overhead and rationalizing capital expenditures.
D. The Company is formulating measures to protect the welfare and interest of its employees.
As of September 30, 2019, the Company’s long-term debts amounted to Php21.336B. In light of the Order, the creditor banks have been apprised and are aware of the Company’s situation.
During these challenging and unprecedented times, the Company is committed to honor all existing obligations for goods delivered and services rendered by its third party suppliers.
Currently, we expect to pay all our bank debts in accordance with the existing payment schedule.
The Company intends to pursue such courses of action and shall exhaust all legal remedies available to it in order to resume its broadcasting operations. On May 7, 2020, the Company filed with the Supreme Court a Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition (the “Petition”), with urgent application of the issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order and/or a Writ of Preliminary Injunction (G.R Case No. 352119). In the Petition, the Company sought relief from the Supreme Court, as follows: (i) issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order, (ii) the issuance of a Writ of Preliminary Injunction after proceedings held and while the Petition is pending; and (iii) after further proceedings, the annulment and setting aside of the Order and declaration of permanent injunction, against the implementation of the Order. The following basic arguments were put forth and extensively discussed in the Petition in support of its prayer:
1. Direct resort to the Supreme Court is necessary and justified given the urgency and transcendental importance of the subject matter, and the grave and irreparable repercussions on public interest brought about by the issuance of the Order;
2. There is no plain, speedy and adequate remedy available to ABS-CBN other than the Petition;
3. Congress has the plenary power to grant and renew legislative franchises. Thus, instead of issuing the Order, the NTC should have just deferred to Congress;
4. The issuance of the Order deviated from past practice and violated the Company's right to equal protection of the law;
5. The Order likewise violates the Company's right to due process, because it was issued without due notice and hearing; violates the right of the public to information and curtail freedom of speech as well as cause serious and irreparable damage on ABS-CBN and thousands of its employees. Thus, strong public interest and equity demand that the Company be allowed to continue its operations.
Even as this Petition is pending, the Company is actively pursuing the renewal of its franchise from Congress and is ready to participate in any hearings or proceedings that may be scheduled at
any time.
In the current (or 18th) Congress, there are eleven bills, seeking the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, which are currently pending with the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, as well as three (3) Resolutions in relation to the renewal or extension of ABS-CBN’s franchise.
As of May 11, 2020, the following developments transpired in the House of Representatives:
a. included in its Order of Business on said date the first reading of House Bill No. 6694, entitled: An Act granting the ABS-CBN Corporation (formerly ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation) a franchise to construct, install, operate and maintain television and radio broadcasting stations in the Philippines, and for other purposes.
b. issued an Order, dated May 11, 2020, requiring the NTC and its Commissioners to explain why they should not be cited for contempt or proceeded against for issuing the Order.
c. three (3) Congressmen filed a resolution seeking an investigation on the alleged violations of ABS-CBN Corporation of its legislative franchise.Then, on May 13, 2020, the House of Representatives Committee of the Whole approved on second reading House Bill No. 6732 (HB 6732) or “An Act Granting the ABS-CBN Corporation A Franchise to Construct, Install, Operate and Maintain Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations in the Philippines, and For Other Purposes”, which bill grants ABS-CBN Corporation a franchise valid until October 31, 2020.
In the Senate, two (2) Bills seeking the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, as well as a bill seeking to extended the term of the franchise, have also been introduced before and pending with the
Senate Committee on Rules. Upon approval of HB6732 on third reading, it is expected that the bill will be transmitted to the Senate for its concurrence.
The Company is confident that it is has not committed any violation of the terms of its franchise, permits and licenses or any applicable law or regulations as to merit the non-renewal of its franchise or suspension of its broadcast operations as a consequence.
Thus, the Company believes that while a franchise is a privilege which is the sole prerogative of Congress to grant, it possesses all the conditions and qualifications to have its franchise renewed.
We are prepared to update this disclosure in due course and as soon as new developments arise.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/15/20/abs-cbn-says-all-conditions-qualifications-present-for-franchise-renewal
Multiply Tries for a Comeback Seven Years After Closed
KEY POINTS
- When Multiply ceasing all business operations on May 31, 2013, its lenders took over its intellectual property, including the Multiply brand name.
- Magdalinski is owning the company itself, which will operate the business supporting those brand.
- Much of their business plan remains uncertain. It is exploring many options, including offices and partnerships.
Some former Multiply executives are looking to bring back the iconic website and all.
Multiply closed as a social networking site on December 1, 2012 and close down last May 6 and ceasing all business operations on May 31, 2013 along with the official online channels for the site had been removed along with all their content, including its YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts, after years of financial and managerial turmoil and following a failed bid to reinvent itself from being a social networking site to a vibrant e-commerce destination in Southeast Asia.
“We regret to announce that Multiply will be closing on May 6, 2013, and ceasing all business operations by May 31, 2013,” it announced Friday on its website.
After May 6, the rest of the month will be used to ensure that all accounts are settled and merchants get full payment for their transactions, it said.
Multiply said the month-long grace period will provide its users enough time to find and migrate to alternative e-commerce platforms, settle all payments on items bought and delivered, and minimize disruption to businesses of its users.
“Multiply will ensure that you receive all funds you earned on the platform no later than May 31, 2013. We will close the actual marketplace sooner, on May 6, 2013, to ensure that all orders have sufficient time to complete and be delivered to your customers before the end of the month,” it said.
In December 2012, Multiply stopped its social networking service to focus on e-commerce, targeting the 350 million consumers in Indonesia and the Philippines.
Whether the Multiply, can continue to operate in another form remains unknown. At issue is whether to withdraw liquidation petition against the company.
Mainland investor Si Rongbin’s China Culture Media, had sold the controlling stake in the former E-commerce and social networking site, refused to call it quits and pledged to keep Multiply’s brand name alive through archive photo and video services.
On June 12, 2013, Magdalinski said they had put in place Rp 8.9 billion for wages owed to former Multiply staff.
The Labour Department said earlier that around 400 former Multiply staff had applied for compensation through the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund, a safety net for employees affected by business closures.
On June 9, 2014 the company had earlier declared bankruptcy, saying it owes some $800 million from Philippine banks aside from $10 billion in debts from lenders in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea.
The company expected the financial restructuring to reduce its debt by $30 billion, as well as adding $3 billion of new investment, and refinancing other debt.
It was scheduled to announce the launch of a mobile application that allows to download and view their old photos and videos from Friendster, Multiply and Webshots accounts on the computers, smartphones and tablets.
As of May 15, 2020, Multiply Media LLC based in Saint Louis, Missouri to own and manage the website, when the website itself to become its flagship brand.
Multiply is headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia. Other employees include former Multiply workers, though it will be a "much tighter team overall" than those employed.
The full business plan for Multiply is still a work in progress, Magdalinski told CNBC. The new company is exploring multiple options, including offices. When asked whether Multiply would partner with Instagram, Magdalinski said he would “not take anything off the table at all.”
Its focus will be on growing the Multiply name. Globally, the website continues to operate worldwide, not just Indonesia and the Philippines, generating more than $20 billion in overall business operations in 2013.
“The Philippines is the biggest social networking market in the world,” said Magdalinski. “Fundamentally, this is the place where the business began Peter Pezaris.”
Multiply will look to avoid some of the pitfalls that brought down its predecessor. Unlike Multiply, which was criticized for failing to invest in its website and digital strategy, Multiply will put an emphasis on technology, Magdalinski said.
Still, to be successful, Multiply will need to win over social networking sites, many of which had fractured relations with Instagram following its closure. During its closure, the company had continued to operate from June 1, 2013 up to June 30, 2028.
“We fully appreciate the impact the bankruptcy had on our partners, and fact that it left our vendors impaired,” said Magdalinski. Although they were upset, Magdalinski said social networking users “recognize the value” Multiply brought to the industry.
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Plebiscite on division of Palawan into 3 provinces may be held in July
By Aira Genesa Magdayao
Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez said he is expecting the plebiscite on the division of Palawan into three provinces to be held in July.
The polling, which was originally scheduled last May 10, was sidetracked by the COVID-19 pandemic.
During his “Pakimanan ta si Gob” live address, Alvarez said the lifting of the GCQ in Palawan will prompt the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to hold the plebiscite.
“I believe that sometime in July, matutuloy ang plebisito,” he said.
Alvarez said the Comelec en banc will decide on the new schedule of the plebiscite when everything returns back to normal.
He emphasized that the activity will happen in accordance with the law.
“Matutuloy yan dahil may batas yan. Immediately after this emergency ay Comelec will issue a resolution, I think June or July matutuloy ‘yan. Comelec en banc na ang magde-decide. Imbis na isang araw ay gagawing dalawang araw, medyo magastos lang, but we are ready. Of course, matutuloy yan this year,” Alvarez said.
Under the Omnibus Election Code and established jurisprudence, the Comelec has the authority to suspend plebiscites if needed.
The Comelec ordered the immediate suspension of ongoing preparatory activities for the holding of the plebiscite in May on the planned division, taking note of the quarantine measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.
In a memorandum dated March 25 addressed to Malacañang, the poll body stated that they decided to approve the recommendations to suspend the preparations “effective immediately.”
“The Comelec en banc, after due deliberation, has approved the suspension of all preparatory activities relative to the conduct of plebiscite to ratify the division of the province of Palawan upon the recommendation, citing the ongoing ECQ declared by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. The suspension of the preparatory activities of the Palawan plebiscite is effective immediately,” the memorandum signed by acting Comelec secretary Consuelo B. Diola stated.
Republic Act No. 11259 was approved and signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in April 2019.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/14/plebiscite-on-division-of-palawan-into-3-provinces-may-be-held-in-july/
Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez said he is expecting the plebiscite on the division of Palawan into three provinces to be held in July.
The polling, which was originally scheduled last May 10, was sidetracked by the COVID-19 pandemic.
During his “Pakimanan ta si Gob” live address, Alvarez said the lifting of the GCQ in Palawan will prompt the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to hold the plebiscite.
“I believe that sometime in July, matutuloy ang plebisito,” he said.
Alvarez said the Comelec en banc will decide on the new schedule of the plebiscite when everything returns back to normal.
He emphasized that the activity will happen in accordance with the law.
“Matutuloy yan dahil may batas yan. Immediately after this emergency ay Comelec will issue a resolution, I think June or July matutuloy ‘yan. Comelec en banc na ang magde-decide. Imbis na isang araw ay gagawing dalawang araw, medyo magastos lang, but we are ready. Of course, matutuloy yan this year,” Alvarez said.
Under the Omnibus Election Code and established jurisprudence, the Comelec has the authority to suspend plebiscites if needed.
The Comelec ordered the immediate suspension of ongoing preparatory activities for the holding of the plebiscite in May on the planned division, taking note of the quarantine measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.
In a memorandum dated March 25 addressed to Malacañang, the poll body stated that they decided to approve the recommendations to suspend the preparations “effective immediately.”
“The Comelec en banc, after due deliberation, has approved the suspension of all preparatory activities relative to the conduct of plebiscite to ratify the division of the province of Palawan upon the recommendation, citing the ongoing ECQ declared by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. The suspension of the preparatory activities of the Palawan plebiscite is effective immediately,” the memorandum signed by acting Comelec secretary Consuelo B. Diola stated.
Republic Act No. 11259 was approved and signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in April 2019.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/05/14/plebiscite-on-division-of-palawan-into-3-provinces-may-be-held-in-july/
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Excerpt: Cignal - BENCH/ Under the Stars 2017 Teaser
"Swimmer and 3-time UAAP Swimming Championships MVP Enchong Dee is wearing JINS Airframe U377 (Spider), 2009 Adidas DLSU hoodie (green), 2011 Nike exclusive De La Salle Dri-Fit tee (white), BENCH/ body Hipster Brief - White (BUB2032WH3), BENCH/ Skinny Jeans - Black (LAM6000) and DC Shoes Men's AT-3 Mid Sneaker (Royal Blue/Armor) would be exhibited at BENCH/ stores nationwide because he was in Bench Uncut: A Bolder Look at the Future also got wild cheers from the audience and he shows his athletic side with these dance moves, and doing workouts at Bodyworx Spa & Fitness Club instead of Anytime Fitness Dona Hemady before doing a photo shoot at BENCH/ Tower."
"The colorful Brazil portion was inspired by exotic birds of the Amazon, according to designer Val Taguba. The most action-packed segment featuring accidental porn star Katrina Halili and young heartthrob Enchong Dee." ('Bench Uncut': It's a tradition!', CHUVANESS By Cecile Van Straten, The Philippine Star, July 7, 2010)
“When Enchong Dee made his entrance at this year’s Bench Universe show, he owned the night in no less than an aerial canoe, looking every bit the gladiator with his toned body and feisty stance.” (Metro Magazine, November 2012)
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