Saturday, January 9, 2021
Friday, January 8, 2021
Duterte lets 5 franchise bills lapse into law
President Rodrigo Duterte has let 5 franchise bills lapse into law, according to the government's journal.
The 5 laws extend by 25 years the operating licenses of the following firms, as shown on the Official Gazette:
Republic Act 11512 - Caceres Broadcasting Corp
Republic Act 11513 - Century Communications Marketing Center, Inc
Republic Act 11514 - Tandag Electric and Telephone, Inc
Republic Act 11515 - Davao Light and Power, Inc
Republic Act 11516 - Negros Broadcasting and Publishing Corp
Bills are enacted into law when they are approved by both houses of Congress and signed by the President. The Chief Executive may veto a bill, but the House of Representatives may overturn a presidential veto by garnering a two-thirds vote, said the Official Gazette.
If the President does not act on a proposed law submitted by Congress, it will lapse into law after 30 days of receipt, it added.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/08/21/duterte-lets-5-franchise-bills-lapse-into-law
Cityhood: Cordova mayor not losing hope
Cordova, Cebu Mayor Mary Therese “Teche” Sitoy-Cho is not losing hope that the town will soon become a city.
Cho, in her second State of the Municipality Address last Saturday, said she aspires for the conversion of the coastal town into a highly-urbanized city.
“As I always say every year, our ultimate prayer is that in the not so distant future, we will celebrate our foundation day, not as a municipality anymore, but as a city hopefully. I always look forward to the day when I stand here in front of you to deliver the State of the City of Cordova Address. This is a dream no more. There is no stopping Cordova. We will be a city and together, we continue to soar higher and higher as far as our wings can take us,” the second-termer mayor said.
At present, the town is not yet qualified to become a city in terms of population, land area and income.
But once the town’s reclamation project and the third bridge are done, lawyer Jessica Banzon-Natadsaid said these will create economic boom in the town.
“So, we are towards that direction nga hopefully mahimo na gyud nga siyudad ang Cordova,” Natad, the town’s information and tourism consultant, told The FREEMAN.
Moreover, the mayor said 2020 was a “very challenging” year as most of the town’s resources were focused on fighting against COVID-19.
“We really do not know what will happen (this year). But we are ready. We should be ready. Our resources may be limited but we can do this. COVID or no-COVID, the fact remains that Cordova is one of the fastest growing municipalities in the Philippines. After the completion of the Sto. Nino Bridge, we shall be directly linked to Cebu City and our growth will be unstoppable,” she said.
For social services, Cho said the town has created the Child Rights Protection Unit and has allocated funds for the implementation of sustainable livelihood programs for the marginalized women, all out efforts to serve all those that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, among others.
For health services, on the other hand, the town has acquired accreditation from the DOTS-PCB for its main health center and of its birthing center; and expansion of laboratory, dental and medical services.
She also reported that the town received donations of emergency vehicles from the Cebu Korean Association.
As for economic services, the mayor said that she will continue working on this with the goal of “promoting economic development in the town through doable programs and projects.”
“Our real estate tax collection has also been increasing and this means we still have budget for upcoming development projects,” the mayor said.
For infrastructure projects, the mayor cited several road development projects, such as acquisition of lot and road right-of-way; and construction/repair/rehabilitation of public buildings, among others.
The funds for the infra projects were sourced locally.
For Peace and Order, Cho said the Philippine National Police has strengthened the implementation of intensified motorcycle patrolling against crimes transgressions in order to reduce crimes.
It also launched the Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo and organized and trained the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team. — KQD
Mayor Sitoy-Cho aspires cityhood: There is no stopping Cordova
Cordova Mayor Mary Therese “Teche” Sitoy-Cho of Cebu province expressed optimism that the town will soon become a city.
In her recent second State of the Municipality Address, Sitoy-Cho said she hopes that the coastal town will be converted into a highly-urbanized city.
“As I always say every year, our ultimate prayer is that in the not so distant future, we will celebrate our foundation day, not as a municipality anymore, but as a city hopefully,” according to her.
“I always look forward to the day when I stand here in front of you to deliver the State of the City of Cordova Address. This is a dream no more. There is no stopping Cordova. We will be a city and together, we continue to soar higher and higher as far as our wings can take us,” she added.
The municipality is currently not yet qualified to become a city in terms of population, land area and income.
https://visayas.politics.com.ph/mayor-sitoy-cho-aspires-cityhood-there-is-no-stopping-cordova/
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Challenged Faith: Walk In Obedience
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. Psalm 119:67
Have you ever cried out, "Lord, I just can't handle this!"? Maybe you have never said those words audibly, but you have felt that way in your heart. Eventually it happens to everyone. I have suggested some guidelines that can help you when you feel like crying out, "Lord, I can't handle this."
Guideline #1: Strengthen your faith by going to the Word of God, which cannot fail.
Guideline #2: When your faith is challenged, refuse to relinquish what you know to be true.
Guideline #3: When your faith is challenged, turn to the Lord, but do not turn on the Lord.
There are two other guidelines which can help. Let me give them to you: Guideline #4: When your faith is challenged, walk in simple obedience, taking one step at a time. An aspect of the fourth guideline is to let someone else help you when you feel that you cannot handle it. It is hard admitting that things have gotten you down, but you have to do that. In almost every church or fellowship there are missing bodies who hurt, and hurt deeply. These people did not have the courage to say, "I need help!"
Have you ever noticed the number of times in the New Testament that the word, "one another" is used? We are told to "pray one for another," "bear one another's burdens," "encourage one another," and certainly to "love one another." There are well more than 40 others. It is so much easier to criticize each other for our apparent weakness than to lift up each other.
When you are down spiritually, listen to the testimony of others who have been where you are, and realize that God plays no favorites. Just as He met them, He will meet you as you let Him.
Then a word about the last guideline. Guideline #5: When your faith is challenged, kneel and look up into the face of Jesus. Certainly you do not understand why some things happen: why your mate walked out, why your business collapsed, why your best friend deserted you. But what you do not understand is not as troublesome as what you do understand. You do understand that God wants you to forgive, right? You do understand that God wants you to trust Him and to keep your eyes on Him, right? You do understand that God wants you to be faithful to your wife or husband as to Himself as well.
It is so easy to let what you do not understand keep you from doing what you clearly do understand. Our faith is usually challenged by hindrances which become stumbling blocks or stepping stones.
In the city of Copenhagen is a museum where you will find many of Bertel Thorvaldsen's beautiful works of art. There is one in particular which I like, depicting Jesus with arms outstretched as He says, "Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." On a certain occasion a great art critic came to see the work, and standing at a distance he viewed the image with disdain.
He turned to walk away as a little boy said, "Mister, let me show you how to see Jesus," and he took him by the sleeve and tugged at him to follow. At the foot of the cross the lad knelt and motioned for the critic to do the same. Kneeling reluctantly with the boy, he looked up into the face of Jesus and saw the full beauty of Thorvaldsen's work. When your faith is challenged, kneel and look up into His face. It is the only way to cope.
Resource reading: Philippians 4:1-9
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/challenged-faith-walk-in-obedience/
GMA allots P20 billion for 3-year capex
GMA Network Inc. has earmarked more than P20 billion for its capital expenditures and content cost in the next three years as it goes full blast on content production and digital TV expansion.
GMA said a huge portion of capex budget is allocated for content production and post-production.
The company will also construct a new building and state-of-the-art studios inside the GMA Network complex in Quezon City.
The three-year budget likewise covers the continuing expansion of its digital terrestrial television reach and various projects in the regions to further strengthen the network’s presence nationwide.
As part of its digital expansion, the company said it plans to officially unveil early this year a mobile digital TV receiver called GMA Now, which will enable viewers to watch TV on the go for free with bonus interactive features.
GMA said while it was not spared from the global crisis last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was able to recover airtime sales during the second half of the year.
GMA also enjoyed strong demand for its DTT receiver called GMA Affordabox which was launched in June last year.
The company earlier said it was expecting to sell over 600,000 Affordabox units in 2020.
“Surpassing seven decades is no easy feat for our company especially during an exceptionally challenging year in 2020, but we are very proud of what we have achieved so far through our people’s dedication and our commitment to Serbisyong Totoo,” GMA Network chairman and CEO Felipe Gozon said.
“We wholeheartedly thank all our Kapuso for their unrelenting support to GMA. Rest assured that your Kapuso Network will continue to provide only the best for our viewers,” Gozon said.
Aside from its programs on main channel GMA-7 and on GMA News TV, the network also offers viewers a variety of content through its digital channels such as Heart of Asia, Hallypop, and DepEd TV.
“As it continuously strengthens its content across all platforms, GMA Network remains steadfast in ensuring the timely delivery of relevant news and information during these trying times, as well as bringing world-class entertainment to Filipinos here and abroad,” it said.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2021/01/07/2068648/gma-allots-p20-billion-3-year-capex
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
Challenged Faith: Turn Toward God
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2, KJV
Henrietta Mears, an outstanding Christian leader whose life inspired thousands of men and women, used to say that a college student who gave up his faith had not lost his or her faith. She contended that the person never had any faith to begin with. Life has a way of challenging the foundation of your faith, whether it is by circumstance or factors over which you have no control, and you cry, "Lord, I just can't handle this!" When your heart cries out in pain, there are some things you must do to undergo spiritual rehabilitation.
First, go to the Word of God and identify with men and women whose faith has been tested as yours has. Guideline #2: Refuse to relinquish what you know to be true. This is a matter of telling your emotions where to get off, and to hold on to certain facts which you know are true regardless of how you feel. Do not depend on your feelings to remind you of God's love when you are angered by the circumstances of life.
Now Guideline #3: When your faith is challenged, turn to the Lord but do not turn on the Lord. The preposition makes all the difference in the world. I have often thought of the words of David in Psalm 61, who cried out, "When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock which is higher than I!" When I cannot handle things, I cry out, "Lead me to the Rock, Christ Jesus, who can lift me up and plant my feet on solid rock."
When Stanley Collins was felled with a heart attack, he thought of the conferences where he was booked to speak, and the writing commitments which were before him. In his heart he cried out, "Lord, why me?" Back from the deep recesses of his heart came a small voice, "Why not you?" One of the things which causes many Christians‑‑ maybe you too‑‑to cry out, "Lord, I can't handle this!" is the mistaken idea that God has exempted us from the problems of life‑‑arthritis, colds, financial problems and personal problems‑‑so when they confront us we forget that He promised to walk with us even through the valley of the shadow of death. That is when we need to take that problem to the Lord and tell Him how we feel in no uncertain terms. It is your attitude that makes all the difference in the world.
In John, Chapter 11, there is a story of two sisters whose brother had died, and when Lazarus was placed in a tomb they both felt that Jesus had let them down. Four days later, Jesus showed up‑‑but too late (so they thought). When they saw Him, both sisters spoke the same words, but with a different attitude of the heart. They both said, "Lord, if only you had been here our brother would not have died!" When Martha spoke these words she spoke in defiance as she went out to meet the Master; but when Mary spoke them she fell at His feet and sobbed them from a broken heart.
When you fall at His feet and pour out your heart, it is then that you hear His voice and feel the touch of His hand. In many homes around the world are small figurines from Italy, reproductions of the Masters; but what most do not realize is that they are made of finely ground marble (dust reshaped into images of the originals). When life grinds you down and you cry out, "Lord, I just can't handle this," let the Master put the pieces together in His image. It is truly amazing what God can do with the broken pieces which you thought were worthless.
As the songwriter put it, "He made something beautiful of my life...."
Resource reading: Philippians 3
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/challenged-faith-turn-toward-god-2/
Vilma Santos-Recto To Refile Bill Seeking New ABS-CBN Franchise
PHILIPPINE Deputy Speaker Vilma Santos-Recto on Monday, January 4, said that she will refile a bill seeking to give broadcast giant ABS-CBN a fresh 25-year franchise.
“I am refiling the bill seeking for the renewal for another 25 years of the ABS-CBN franchise. I filed it the last time and I continue to believe that it is the right thing to do,” she told Inquirer.net in a text message.
Santos-Recto’s statement came after Philippine Senate President Vicente Sotto III filed Senate Bill No. 1967, which seeks to give ABS-CBN a fresh legislative franchise, citing the importance of television as the main source of information for most Filipinos.
“We need to start rebuilding our economy,” Santos-Recto said.
“Through this bill, we will be creating jobs (so many people do not have jobs today) and help promote healthy competition among the networks. Most importantly, di mapagkakaila ang (one cannot deny the) far reach ng ABS-CBN in the regions during calamities,” she added.
Santos-Recto expressed hope that the House Committee on Rules will “immediately act” on the counterpart measure of Sotto’s bill so that “it will hopefully be referred to the Committee on Legislative Franchises the soonest.”
Under the 1987 Constitution, private bills like the granting and renewal of franchises must first be approved by the House of Representatives before the Senate can tackle it in plenary.
According to Sotto, ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal has a “better chance” now with the change of House officials.
“New (House) Speaker, new officers. (There) could be a better chance,” he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Meanwhile, Santos-Recto said she is “hoping for the best.”
On July 10, 2020, the Philippine House of Representatives rejected the bills seeking to grant ABS-CBN a new 25-year franchise.
Voting 70 to 11, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises adopted the recommendation of its technical working group to deny the network a new franchise.
Two congressmen inhibited while one abstained.
ABS-CBN stopped its operations on May 5, 2020 in compliance with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC’s) cease and desist order due to the expiration of its congressional franchise.
The order directed ABS-CBN to shut down its various TV and radio broadcasting stations nationwide “sent a valid Congressional Franchise as required by law.”
Republic Act No. 7966, which granted the network a 25-year franchise to operate TV and radio broadcasting stations expired on May 4, 2020.
15 senators back Sotto’s franchise bill for ABS-CBN
At least 15 senators have already expressed support for the renewal of the ABS-CBN Corporation's franchise, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Wednesday.
The following lawmakers were included on the list of 15 co-authors of Senate Bill No. 1967, which was sent by Sotto to reporters:
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon
Senator Panfilo Lacson
Senator Sonny Angara
Senator Nancy Binay
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian
Senator Richard Gordon
Senator Lito Lapid
Senator Manny Pacquiao
Senator Joel Villanueva
Senator Risa Hontiveros
Senator Francis Pangilinan
Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III
Senator Leila De Lima
The bill, authored by Sotto, seeks to give the broadcasting network another 25-year franchise.
Franchise bills, however, must originate from the House of Representatives before it can be tackled in the Senate.
Sotto said he is optimistic that this has better chances of passing as the House recently had a change in leadership.
The House committee on legislative franchises, during the speakership of Taguig-Pateros Representative Alan Peter Cayetano, thumbed down the application of ABS-CBN for franchise renewal last year.
Cayetano was replaced by Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco, another ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, last October.
"Nothing stops a congressman from filing a new franchise bill again" under the 18th Congress, according to Sotto.
Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza, meanwhile, said that the shorter route to reopen the House deliberations on the ABS-CBN franchise renewal is to move for the reconsideration of the denial of the network's application back in July last year.
Following Sotto's filing of an ABS-CBN franchise renewal bill in the Senate, Deputy Speaker Vilma Santos-Recto said she will file next week a fresh counterpart measure in the House.
However, Anakalusugan party-list Representative Mike Defensor, who serves as vice chair of the franchise panel, said all the previous measures for the ABS-CBN franchise renewal must first be withdrawn before a new one may be filed and the deliberations may be reopened.
According to him, when the committee decided to deny the franchise application of ABS-CBN, the measures proposing it were simply "laid on the table" or set aside, and they have not been junked altogether.
At least 12 bills were filed at the House during the 18th Congress to extend the franchise of ABS-CBN for another 25 years.
Drilon and Recto earlier said the House move will likely depend on Duterte's decision.
On the other hand, the Palace said only Congress can grant a franchise to a broadcast company.
ABS-CBN's franchise lapsed on May 4, 2020. It went off air the following day after the National Telecommunications Commission ordered the company to stop its broadcast operations. — RSJ, GMA News
16 of 24 senators pushing for ABS-CBN franchise
Two more senators are joining the call for the revival of the franchise of media giant ABS-CBN Corp., bringing the total number of supporters in the Senate to 16.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto released to media on Wednesday the list of 15 co-authors of his Senate Bill No. 1967.
The bill filed last Monday sought to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN, which expired last May 4, 2020.
The list now includes Senators Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, and Leila de Lima, who has been jailed on drug charges.
Below is the list of 15 co-authors of Sotto’s bill:
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon
Senator Panfilo Lacson
Senator Sonny Angara
Senator Nancy Binay
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian
Senator Richard Gordon
Senator Lito Lapid
Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao
Senator Joel Villanueva
Senator Risa Hontiveros
Senator Francis Pangilinan
Senator Aqulino Pimentel III
Senator Leila de Lima
Eight of 24 senators are not signatories or co-authors of the measure. They are Senators Pia Cayetano, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Christopher “Bong” Go, Imee Marcos, Grace Poe, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. Francis Tolentino, and Cynthia Villar.
While she did not sign the bill, Poe earlier vowed to give “utmost priority” to the measure once referred to the Senate committee on public services, which she chairs.
“Given the crippling effects of the ABS-CBN shutdown and the need for more news outlets with the widest reach during the raging pandemic, the issue will be given utmost priority as soon as it is referred to the Committee on Public Service,” she said.
Under the Constitution, however, franchise bills must emanate from the House of Representatives.
“My support for a free and fair media in the name of public service remains. I will make sure that the Committee acts on it in due course,” Poe added. [ac]
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1380315/16-of-24-senators-pushing-for-abs-cbn-franchise
GMA allots P20 billion for 3-year capex, to launch new products
GMA is set to construct a new building at its compound in Quezon City, launch a new digital TV receiver, and expand its digital TV reach
GMA Network earmarked over P20 billion for capital expenditures from 2021 to 2023.
The Kapuso network said on Wednesday, January 6, that it will construct a new building at its compound in Quezon City mainly to house its content production operations.
This year, it is also set to launch a digital TV receiver called GMA Now, which will enable viewers to watch TV on the go for free.
The capex will also cover the continued expansion of its digital terrestrial television (DTT) reach in various regions.
"Surpassing 7 decades is no easy feat for our company especially during an exceptionally challenging year in 2020, but we are very proud of what we have achieved so far through our people's dedication and our commitment to serbisyong totoo (true service)," said GMA Network chairman and chief executive officer Felipe Gozon.
The network saw its earnings surge by 79% in the first 3 quarters of 2020, but primarily due to cost-cutting measures and the shutdown of its rival ABS-CBN.
It was able to dampen losses due to the launch of its DTT receiver called GMA Affordabox last June.
House leader says plenary can reverse ABS-CBN franchise denial
A leader of the House of Representatives said Wednesday that the plenary can reverse the denial of a franchise to ABS-CBN, especially under the leadership of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
“I believe it can be pulled out by the plenary now and reconsidered in the new leadership we have now,” House Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza told ANC’s “Headstart.” “Plenary overrules the committee and the plenary prevails.”
Atienza said that the vote of the House legislative franchises panel on July 10, 2020 denying the media giant a fresh 25-year franchise must be brought to plenary, where all House members may vote to ratify or reject the committee’s decision to kill the franchise of the network and the employment of its 11,000 workers, which came despite government agencies clearing ABS-CBN of any wrongdoing.
Aside from loss of jobs, the House franchises committee’s rejection of ABS-CBN’s application for a new franchise and the network’s shutdown also resulted in an information gap in far-flung areas which had only been reached by the media giant’s regional bureaus which also had to shutter.
All eyes on Velasco
The House leader’s expectations for ABS-CBN to get a franchise renewal this year largely hinges on his trust in the leadership of Velasco, whom he expects to allow lawmakers to debate and vote freely.
“I am just relying on the character of the new speaker. He’s not the type who would double cross and double talk and deal with everybody,” Atienza said.
Velasco, however, has been silent on the matter and has not given any indications whether he is keen on bringing the ABS-CBN franchise to plenary for further debates and a final vote.
Another House leader, Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta, who was on the forefront of the attack against ABS-CBN when the franchises panel took up its application, argued that the network first needs to go through major reforms before it is given a new franchise to operate.
The House is also still dominated by allies of President Rodrigo Duterte, who has vowed to see the end of ABS-CBN, which earned his ire for not airing his campaign advertisement and for supposedly taking sides during the 2016 presidential race.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has filed a bill in the upper chamber to grant ABS-CBN a new franchise, but the Senate would still have to wait for the House to pass a bill granting the network a fresh franchise.
Sotto, too, is hoping that the election of Velasco and a new set of House leaders gives the franchise a better chance of being renewed.
Sen. Bong Revilla supports ABS-CBN franchise renewal
The returning Kapuso Sen. Revilla has expressed his support to the franchise renewal of ABS CBN.
Revilla expressed support to the franchise renewal during thanksgiving event for members of entertainment press in Quezon City on Tuesday, Jan. 5. Joining the senator was his wife Bacoor City Mayor Lani Mercado.
“From the very beginning naman, kahit na may sama ako ng loob sa kanila, supportive ako sa ABS-CBN franchise, at hanggang ngayon, iyon pa rin ang stand ko,” said Senator Bong.
The “Ang Panday” star also expressed his belief that ABS-CBN had already “paid” the consequences of their actions.
“Ilang buwan na ring walang trabaho iyong mga kababayan natin na nagtatrabaho sa showbiz. Saka kung meron man silang nasagasaan noon, siguro nag-suffer na rin sila diba?”
Now is the time to help the most affected with the network’s shutdown, said Bong.
“Ang importante ngayon, matulungan natin iyan, maibalik natin, mabigyan ng trabaho ang mga nawalan ng trabaho,” he said.
Revilla, 54, clarified that he had some bad-blood with ABS CBN’s News and Current Affairs team, not the Entertainment department.
According to the Senator, he has forgiven them.
https://mb.com.ph/2021/01/06/sen-bong-revilla-supports-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal/
Move vs denial of ABS-CBN franchise 'shorter route' to revive network: solon
The filing of a motion for reconsideration against the denial of a fresh franchise for ABS-CBN Corp is the shorter route to revive the network, a lawmaker said Wednesday.
Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza made the remark after Senate President Vicente Sotto III filed a bill seeking to give a fresh franchise to ABS-CBN while Batangas 6th District Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto said she would do the same at the House of Representatives.
The "least" the House can do is to "react" to Sotto's bill and "resolve the issue" which remains in its agenda, Atienza said.
"That’s one mode of doing it. In my opinion, there’s a shorter route and that is to file a motion for reconsideration, the matter is still on the table. It was laid on the table at the committee level so technically under our rules, pwede sabihin ng plenary 'yung nakastandby d'yan na ABS bill. It appears on our agenda everyday, the ABS issue still on our agenda as an unfinished business," he told ANC's Headstart.
(It was laid on the table at the committee level so technically under our rules, the plenary can cite the ABS-CBN bill on standby.)
"Yun ang shorter route. Without filing a new bill we can take up what is on our agenda these past months and take it up fairly, allowing both sides to speak freely and make a decision on the plenary level."
Under the current House leadership, the plenary can have a "free debate" on the issue that is "not dictated or railroaded," Atienza said.
"I am just relying on the character of the new Speaker, he’s not the type to double-cross and double talk and deal with everybody with a sleight of hand," he said.
"The issue is still at rest at that level and I believe it can be pulled out by the plenary now and reconsider. In the new leadership that we have now I am also convinced we will have a free debate on the issue na hindi (that is not) dictated and hindi (not) railroaded."
Atienza maintained that President Rodrigo Duterte, who has many times threatened to shut down the network, was not involved in the chamber's denial of franchise to ABS-CBN in July.
"I still believe what Malacañang says, they have nothing to do with the decision, it was purely a Congressional action coming from (former) Speaker’s own position on the issue," he said,
"Until I've been told by the President myself 'you do that, this is what I want,' I will not believe those accusations. Those are made up issues to sugarcoat the questionable issue."