Friday, January 29, 2021
Bear Brand Vilma Santos 2
Sa health ng pamilya, dapat doon tayo sa subok na! Bear Brand, 30 years na nagbibigay-tibay, alagang walang katulad ang buong pamilya, kaya naman ngayong 30 years, number one ang Bear Brand tunay na maasahan. Bear Brand: 30 years ng tibay sa pamilyang Pilipino!
Original video courtesy of eatbulaga1979
© 2006 Nestlé Philippines, Inc.
Knorr "Beef Sopas"
Gusto mo mag-Knorr Beef Sopas, perfect yan sa:
Chicken Nuggets, nugg-ka-Knorr!
Galungong, gigi-ka-Knorr!
Sa wakas, wala nang prito iyon, kaya ikaw, mag-pri-ka-Knorr!
Original video courtesy of eatbulaga1979
© 2006 Unilever Philippines, Inc.
God’s Will
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give your hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
For a moment suppose that God has a blueprint, a plan for your life. Now if God has a plan for your life, would it not have to be a good one? After all, He created you, and He knows you better than you know yourself. He sees your life in the focus of all eternity while with our human limitations we simply see today.
Look at nature. It seems quite evident that nature follows a master plan. The seasons are caused by a twenty‑three‑and‑a half degree tilt of the earth’s axis. The earth orbits the sun in exactly three hundred sixty‑five and a quarter days. Even the air that we breathe shows that an intricate plan was followed in its creation. Our atmosphere is 80% nitrogen and 20% oxygen‑‑a perfect ratio to sustain life. If the atmosphere contained more oxygen, our systems would burn out, and if there were less oxygen, you would be sluggish. But a ratio exists that is perfect for the rate of oxidation.
The crystal clear water that cascades down the mountainside reveals an intricate plan when one considers the fact that every molecule of water contains exactly two atoms of hydrogen and one of oxygen. Both hydrogen and oxygen are flammable, yet the two unite to put out fire.
Scientists using the Mt. Palomar telescope say that the vastness of creation practically defies human comprehension. For instance, they tell us there are more than a hundred billion stars in every universe. Did you catch that figure‑‑one hundred billion stars in every universe? And so far scientists have discovered more than two hundred million universes. YET there are more atoms in a single crystal than stars in all the universes added together.
Through God’s creation it seems evident that what God does, He does well. There is no doubt that when God has a plan, it is a perfect one. The question then comes to our minds, “Does God actually have a plan, a blueprint, for my individual life? And if He does, how do I find that plan for my life?”
Rest assured that God does have a plan for your life. Think for a moment: would He create a world with infinite perfection and leave man, the highest of all creation, to follow his own blunders and mistakes? No, a thousand times no! God has a plan, a divine will, for your life and you can know that plan.
Nearly two thousand years ago God sent His Son into the world to die in your place for your sins at Calvary. This was part of God’s master plan for the human race. The first step in God’s blueprint for your life is that you should find eternal life through Jesus Christ. As you accept Christ as Lord and Savior of your life, you then come into a plane of fellowship where God will communicate His plan to you.
The reason most people never find God’s plan for their lives is because they have no point of contact with a holy and just God. Jesus Christ is the advocate, the intercessor, the go‑between, between God and man. It took someone who was both man and God to span the gulf that existed between the infinite and the finite. Jesus Christ was that person.
After you invite Him into your life, you can find guidance in knowing what God’s purpose and will is for your life. The Bible will become a new book to you because you now know the Author. Prayer will become a two‑way communication as you talk to God and He impresses on your heart His direction for you. Yes, God does have a will, a blueprint, a plan for your life. That plan is revealed through His Word and the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Resource reading: John 3:1-21.
Jollibee 2 pieces Pancakes
2 pieces of moist pancakes served with butter and maple syrup.
- 2 - pc. Pancakes w/ Drink (₱ 83.00)
- 2 - pc. Pancakes Solo (₱ 55.00)
House shuts door on ABS-CBN franchise
THE House of Representatives has no intention of tackling new proposals to grant media giant ABS-CBN Corp. a franchise and would rather pass the buck to the next Congress.
Rep. Franz Alvarez (Palawan), chair of the House committee on legislative franchises, made the announcement yesterday in response to a query from Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Michael Defensor about the status of House Bill No. 6732 that would have given the media network a provisional franchise extension for six months.
Defensor was one of the panel members who led the opposition last year against a franchise extension, accusing ABS-CBN of numerous violations including allowing foreign interests, illegal use of investment instruments, and labor issues.
The 18th Congress will end on June 30, 2022.
Alvarez pointed out that while HB 6732 is listed under “Unfinished Business,” it no longer requires any action because the provisional franchise would have only lasted until Oct. 31, 2020.
“Obviously, this is already moot and academic. Based on my understanding from the House leadership, the ABS-CBN franchise issue is best left to the next Congress,” he said.
Alvarez noted that the ABS-CBN franchise issue was “put to rest” after the franchise committee voted 70-11 against the network’s franchise application on July 10, 2020.
“Under the rules, anyone of the 70 House members who voted against the franchise application could file a motion for reconsideration on behalf of ABS-CBN to challenge the decision of the committee. Unfortunately, there was none, thus the committee decision has become final,” he said.
The country would keep GMA as the free-to-air channel.
Early this month, deputy speaker and Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto filed a bill proposing to give ABS-CBN a new franchise while in the Senate, a similar measure was filed by Senate President Vicente Sotto III.
https://malaya.com.ph/index.php/news_news/house-shuts-door-on-abs-cbn-franchise/#
Chair of House panel dismisses talks of franchise renewal for ABS-CBN
HOUSE Committee Chair on Legislative Franchises Franz E. Alvarez dismissed proposals to revive talks on the renewal of the ABS-CBN Corp. franchise, adding this can be tackled in the next Congress.
In a statement on Thursday, Mr. Alvarez made the statement after Anakalusugan party-list Representative Michael T. Defensor on Wednesday’s plenary session proposed to discuss the “unfinished business” regarding the media network’s franchise. Other lawmakers declined his motion.
The said “unfinished business” is House Bill 6732, which sought to grant the embattled network a provisional franchise until Oct. 31, 2020. The bill was filed by Taguig City-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter S. Cayetano in May 2020.
“Obviously, this is already moot and academic. Based on my understanding from the House leadership, the ABS-CBN franchise issue is best left to the next Congress,” Mr. Alvarez said.
On Wednesday, lawmakers agreed during the plenary to discuss the matter next week.
Mr. Defensor is among the 70 lawmakers who voted against the franchise application of ABS-CBN last July 10. Mr. Alvarez said any lawmaker who voted against the measure can file a motion for reconsideration to challenge the decision made by his committee, which voted 70-11 for the franchise denial.
“Unfortunately, there was none, thus the committee decision has become final,” he said.
The network earlier said that its closure forced more than 11,000 into unemployment and resulted in “information gaps” in areas that rely on its news services.
ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise expired on May 4, 2020. Before its closure, President Rodrigo R. Duterte said the network “will not see the light of day” and that its franchise will never be renewed. His ire was centered on unaired election campaign ads.
It would keep GMA, PTV, TV5 as the free-to-air networks in the country — Gillian M. Cortez
https://www.bworldonline.com/chair-of-house-panel-dismisses-talks-of-franchise-renewal-for-abs-cbn/
‘ABS-CBN franchise issue best left to next Congress’
The franchise issue of broadcast giant ABS-CBN is best left to the next Congress, the chair of the House legislative franchises committee said yesterday.
Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez said there is no need to raise the matter again before the plenary as it was already put to rest by their panel’s decision in July last year to reject the network’s application for franchise renewal.
“Under the rules, any one of the 70 House members who voted against the franchise application could file a motion for reconsideration on behalf of ABS-CBN to challenge the decision of the Committee.
Unfortunately, there was none, thus the committee decision has become final,” Alvarez explained in a statement.
He said the franchise issue is already “moot and academic” after they voted 70-11 to reject the bills seeking to grant a fresh 25-year franchise to the network.
“The subject matter of the unfinished business in the plenary is House Bill 6732, which seeks to grant ABS-CBN a provisional franchise effective until Oct. 31, 2020,” Alvarez pointed out.
“Based on my understanding from the House leadership, the ABS-CBN franchise issue is best left to the next Congress.”
Alvarez made the statement after Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto filed a new bill pushing to grant a franchise to the network, taking cue from a similar measure in the Senate filed by Senate President Vicente Sotto III.
It also came after panel vice chair and Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor raised the ABS-CBN franchise in session last Wednesday and asked the plenary to settle the matter that has remained in their agenda since last year.
Defensor stood up and manifested that the committee report on House Bill 6732, which grants ABS-CBN a franchise to operate until Oct. 31 last year, has been languishing on the floor for many months already. The committee report has been included in the “unfinished business” of the House, and Defensor argued that the chamber should take up these matters first before going on with their business for the day.
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to raise a point of order that the unfinished business of the ABS-CBN franchise be decided first before we take up any issue in plenary,” Defensor argued.
After debate on the matter, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Jesus Crispin Remulla informed the floor that the matter is scheduled to be taken up in their next session on Monday.
House Bill 6732 was filed by former speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and seven other lawmakers in May last year to grant ABS-CBN a provisional franchise while the committee was deliberating on the measures that sought to renew the original franchise of the network for another 25 years.
The measure was approved in the committee level, through the committee of the whole, and on second reading on May 13, 2020, eight days after ABS-CBN went off the air.
However, the bill was later reverted to the plenary to accommodate additional interpellation and amendments from lawmakers.
Cayetano then decided to just consider the proposals to grant a 25-year-franchise to ABS-CBN instead of giving the network a provisional one, leaving House Bill 6732 pending on the floor.
The House franchise panel later rejected the bill due to violations of the franchise by the network.
‘Denial of ABS-CBN franchise final’
THE decision of the Committee on Legislative Franchises of the House of Representative rejecting the measure that sought to grant a new franchise to ABS-CBN Corp. is final, the panel’s chairman, Rep. Franz Alvarez, said on Thursday.
He explained that the ABS-CBN franchise issue was “put to rest” when the committee, through the vote of 70 lawmakers, rejected the network’s franchise application on July 10, 2020.
“Under the rules, anyone of the 70 House members who voted against the franchise application could file a motion for reconsideration on behalf of ABS-CBN to challenge the decision of the Committee. Unfortunately, there was none, thus the committee decision has become final,” Alvarez said in a statement.
The possibility of tackling the ABS-CBN franchise in the plenary emerged when Anakalusugan Rep. Michael Defensor raised a point of order during the House session on
Wednesday, asking to resolve the committee report on House Bill (HB) 6732, granting a temporary franchise to the network.
He said the bill, one of the items listed in the body’s “unfinished business,” must be tackled first before proceeding with the business of the day.
Senior Deputy Majority Leader Jesus Crispin Remulla said the plenary would start taking up items in the unfinished business next week.
HB 6732 is one of the eight items listed under the House’s unfinished business. It is unclear if all items will be tackled on Monday.
But, for Alvarez, HB 6732 is “moot and academic” as it proposes to grant a provisional franchise only up to Oct. 31, 2020.
“Based on my understanding from the House leadership, the ABS-CBN franchise issue is best left to the next Congress,” he said.
Former speaker Alan Peter Cayetano led the filing of HB 6732, a temporary relief for the continuous operation of ABS-CBN after its previous franchise expired.
The bill was passed on second reading by the House Committee of the Whole last May 2020, but was recalled because of questions on constitutionality, having been passed the same day it was filed. The House instead proceeded with the committee deliberations on the 12 bills seeking to grant a 25-year franchise.
Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said it was up to the House leadership if the deliberations of HB 6732 would be continued since it had been overtaken by the committee hearing.
In the meantime, he said the Makabayan bloc had a pending motion to bring the committee report on the franchise bills to the plenary for all members of the House to decide upon. The Makabayan lawmakers are among the authors of 12 franchise bills.
Zarate said the bloc would support any means for ABS-CBN to resume its operations citing the urgency of its contribution to information dissemination especially on the coronavirus and vaccines.
“Kung ano man ang kahihinatnan nito, nandyan ang aming tindig na dapat bumalik sa ere ang ABS-CBN para maituloy nito ang pagbibigay nito ng serbisyo sa mga mamayang Pilipino na alam natin na kailangang kailangan ngayon (Whatever the result will be, we maintain our stand that ABS-CBN must come back to continue its service to the Filipino people that we know is very much needed right now),”he stressed.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2021/01/29/news/national/denial-of-abs-cbn-franchise-final/834312/
Thursday, January 28, 2021
Good News: Forgiveness
If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. Psalm 130:3-4
“To err is human; to forgive, divine,” said the wise man long ago. It’s true, but of all the transactions which take place between people, none is more difficult than to seek and give forgiveness. There’s good news, however. Forgiveness is the key to emotional and spiritual healing and the passport to your future happiness. It’s God’s way of eliminating the cancer of hatred and anger which rips the fabric of relationships apart much as a little boy tears the wrapper off a candy bar.
The Psalmist wrote, “If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared” (Psalm 130:3,4). Who was the author? Probably David, one of the greatest personalities of all time, a man who earned the respect of generations not only for what he did but for his humility in acknowledging his sins and failure.
A few minutes ago I used my computer to scan the text of the Bible to see how many times the phrase, “I have sinned,” appears in the Bible. A rather wide group of people cried out, “I have sinned,” but only David said, “I have sinned greatly!”
Was David that much worse than others? Not necessarily. But what David did gives us insights to what we must do in coming to grips with the necessity of forgiveness. First, he acknowledged his personal failure. When he had a sexual relationship with another man’s wife and ultimately was responsible for his death, David could have said, “I couldn’t help it. I was just overwhelmed with Bathsheba’s beauty.” Even though he was king, he wasn’t exempt from the consequences. His conscience convicted him and he knew that his sin was not only against Bathsheba and her husband, he had sinned against God. “My sin is always before me,” said David, adding, “Against you, you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight…” (Psalm 51:4).
Do you want to silence that voice within which says what you have done is wrong? Then do what David did: First, admit your wrongdoing, then take the second step: Ask God to forgive you. David cried out, “‘O LORD, have mercy on me; heal me, for I have sinned against you” (Psalm 41:4). It takes strength to do that, but with it comes the reward of peace and joy. The New Testament says if we confess our sins, God is faithful and will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness or wrongdoing (see 1 John 1:9). The word to confess really means to agree. It was the word which you would use when you wanted to match two sticks which were of equal length and size. It means that your heart says, “Yes, God, I agree with your verdict. I sinned.”
It’s also interesting to notice that when David asked for forgiveness, he also asked for healing. Can you relate to that? Frankly, it’s a lot easier to find God’s forgiveness than it is to forgive ourselves and to get on with the process of putting our lives together after a hideous failure. That involves inner healing– which brings us to the third step in the process of restoration: Cooperate with the Lord in bringing healing to your life and the lives of those whom you have hurt. My definition of forgiveness is this: “I give up my right to hurt you because you hurt me.” That process of giving up something means I have to release the bitterness and the pain as well as giving up my hatred of myself, the resentfulness which I feel towards myself because in a moment of weakness or lust, I destroyed what I really love and want. Thank God, David was right: There is forgiveness with God which allows you to forgive yourself as well.
Resource reading: Psalm 41.
https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/good-news-forgiveness-2/
"Viewing Guide"
Guided publicity column that was broadcast on January 1, 2017. The pre-broadcasting period mainly broadcasts the previews of the first and second programs on the day and the next day. On July 1, 2022, it became an important part of the channel packaging work of ABS-CBN, aiming to actively promote the spread of the overall image and concept of ABS-CBN, and to cooperate with all major publicity events in the whole station to carry out all-round guide publicity. The main content of this column includes all kinds of overall image propaganda videos of ABS-CBN, as well as medium and long-term propaganda videos and broadcast time reminders of key columns and programs. Broadcast daily on ABS-CBN and Studio 23, with a total length of 40 minutes. On the basis of the total daily broadcast length of 40 minutes, the first set of programs and the second set of programs on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will be broadcast on a rolling basis with a duration of 3 minutes.
ABS-CBN franchise best left to next Congress: House leader
By Filane Mikee Cervantes
The chairperson of the House committee on legislative franchises on Thursday said the issue regarding broadcast giant ABS-CBN's franchise renewal is best left to the next Congress.
Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, committee chair, made the statement after Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Mike Defensor asked the House plenary to take up an unresolved bill granting ABS-CBN a provisional franchise.
"Based on my understanding from the House leadership, the ABS-CBN franchise issue is best left to the next Congress," Alvarez said in a statement.
Alvarez said the network's franchise issue was put to rest when his committee rejected the network’s franchise application with a 70-11 vote in July 2020.
"Under the rules, anyone of the 70 House members who voted against the franchise application could file a motion for reconsideration on behalf of ABS-CBN to challenge the decision of the Committee. Unfortunately, there was none, thus the Committee decision has become final," he said.
Alvarez further said House Bill 6732, the measure in question, is already "moot and academic" because the proposed provisional franchise to be granted to ABS-CBN would only be effective until October 31, 2020.
On Jan. 5, Deputy Speaker Vilma Santos-Recto filed House Bill No. 8298 seeking to renew for another 25 years ABS-CBN’s legislative franchise.
To recall, Congress was unable to renew the network’s congressional franchise before its expiration date on May 4, 2020.
ABS-CBN, upon the directive of the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) shutdown order, ceased its broadcast operations on May 5, 2020.
The previous House hearings have exhaustively discussed the network’s franchise issues, including the citizenship of ABS-CBN chair emeritus Gabby Lopez; the possible violation of the constitutional limits on foreign ownership; reported labor and tax violations; and other violations of the terms of its legislative franchise.
The NTC on June 30, 2020 also issued two cease and desist orders, directing ABS-CBN to halt the operation of its digital television transmission using Amcara Broadcasting Corp.’s Channel 43 and the direct-to-home satellite transmission of its cable firm, Sky Cable Corp.
Comelec reusing materials printed for Palawan plebiscite
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has resolved to use in the March 13, 2021 Palawan plebiscite all the accountable and non-accountable forms that were printed for the purpose of the May 11, 2020 Palawan plebiscite that was postponed due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
In Resolution No. 10684, the Comelec said all dates appearing in the printed plebiscite accountable and non-accountable forms as May 11, 2020 shall be read as March 13, 2021.
The poll body said for purposes of uniformity and to avoid confusion, “all other forms that will be printed in the future for purposes of the Palawan plebiscite, shall bear the date May 11, 2020.”
The Comelec originally scheduled the conduct of the plebiscite to ratify the division of the province of Palawan into Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan del Sur on May 11, 2020.
This is in accordance to Republic Act No. 11259 which provides that the plebiscite should be held on the second Monday of May 2020.
In April 2020, the Comelec suspended the May 11 plebiscite due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon.
The en banc agreed with the recommendation of its Law Department that holding of a free and honest plebiscite on May 11, 2020 is impossible at the height of the spread of the COVID-19.
On October 8, 2020, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) approved the proposal to already hold the plebiscite in Palawan.
The poll body then set the plebiscite to March 13, 2021.
https://mb.com.ph/2021/01/28/comelec-reusing-materials-printed-for-palawan-plebiscite/
ABS-CBN franchise rejection final — House panel chairman
“IT’s final,” a lawmaker at the House of Representatives said on Thursday when asked about the possibility of opening discussions on the franchise of shuttered media network ABS-CBN in the plenary next week.
House Committee on Legislative Franchises Chairman Franz Alvarez said his panel’s decision to reject the fresh grant of a 25-year permit to the network giant was “put to rest when the committee, voting 70-11, rejected the network’s franchise application on July 10, 2020”.
“Under the rules, anyone of the 70 House members who voted against the franchise application could file a motion for reconsideration on behalf of ABS-CBN to challenge the decision of the committee. Unfortunately, there was none, thus the Committee decision has become final,” he said in a statement on Thursday.
The possibility to tackle the ABS-CBN franchise in the plenary emerged when Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor raised a point of order during the House session on Wednesday, asking to resolve the committee report on House Bill (HB) 6732, which seeks to grant a temporary franchise to the network. He said the bill, one of the items listed in the body’s “unfinished business,” must be tackled first before proceeding with the business of the day.
Senior Deputy Majority Leader Jesus Crispin Remulla assured that the plenary would start taking up items in the unfinished business on the resumption of session on Monday next week.
But for Alvarez, HB 6732 is “moot and academic” as it had proposed to grant a provisional franchise up to Oct. 31, 2020.
“Based on my understanding from the House leadership, the ABS-CBN franchise issue is best left to the next Congress,” he said.
STATEMENT OF HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE FRANCHISES CHAIR AND PALAWAN 1ST DISTRICT REP. FRANZ ALVAREZ
The ABS-CBN franchise issue was put to rest when the Committee, voting 70-11, rejected the network’s franchise application on July 10, 2020.
Under the rules, anyone of the 70 House members who voted against the franchise application could file a motion for reconsideration on behalf of ABS-CBN to challenge the decision of the Committee. Unfortunately, there was none, thus the Committee decision has become final.
The subject matter of the unfinished business in the plenary is House Bill 6732, which seeks to grant ABS-CBN a provisional franchise effective until October 31, 2020. Obviously, this is already moot and academic.
Based on my understanding from the House leadership, the ABS-CBN franchise issue is best left to the next Congress.
Lorenzana fires military intel chief over false tagging of UP alumni as NPA members
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Thursday fired the deputy chief of staff for intelligence of the Armed Forces of the Philippines over the release of a false list that tagged alumni of the University of the Philippines as members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
In a statement, Lorenzana said he relieved Maj. Gen. Alex Luna from his post effective Thursday due to his "unforgivable lapse."
The list of names of UP alumni who supposedly died or were arrested as NPA members, came from Luna's office, according to Lorenzana.
"His negligence only shows a lackadaisical attitude towards his job resulting to confusion and damage to reputation. We do not take these offenses lightly and I want to hold the people involved accountable," said Lorenzana.
Alumni from the premiere state university slammed the post, saying it stirred misinformation.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) had earlier admitted the mistake, and likewise apologized for posting the now deleted list on its Information Exchange Facebook account.
Marie Lisa Dacanay, president of the Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia, earlier said that the AFP must be held accountable for releasing what she called "false news."
ABS-CBN franchise issue 'best left to next Congress' —House franchise panel chair
The issue of the franchise renewal of broadcast firm ABS-CBN is best addressed in the next Congress, House committee on legislative franchises chair Franz Alvarez said Thursday.
Alvarez made the remark amid new moves to reopen the deliberations on the ABS-CBN franchise renewal bid, and the assertion of Anakalusugan party-list Representative Mike Defensor for the House plenary to take up the "unresolved" measure granting the network a provisional franchise.
"Based on my understanding from the House leadership, the ABS-CBN franchise issue is best left to the next Congress," Alvarez said in a statement to reporters.
According to him, the ABS-CBN franchise issue was put to rest when 70 members of his committee voted to reject the network's franchise renewal bid in July last year.
"Under the rules, anyone of the 70 House members who voted against the franchise application could file a motion for reconsideration on behalf of ABS-CBN to challenge the decision of the Committee," he said.
"Unfortunately, there was none, thus the Committee decision has become final," he added.
Deputy Speaker Vilma Santos-Recto has earlier filed a fresh measure seeking to renew ABS-CBN's franchise for another 25 years after Senate President Vicente Sotto III made a similar move in the Senate.
Santos-Recto's bill has so far been referred to the House committee on legislative franchises.
Meanwhile, Defensor on Wednesday called on the House plenary to take up measures that have yet to be acted upon by the chamber, including the committee report for House Bill 6732 which sought to grant ABS-CBN a provisional franchise until October 31, 2020.
He argued that the committee report has been included in the "unfinished business" of the House for many months already, and the chamber should take this up first before going on with their business for the day.
House Bill 6732 was filed by former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and seven other lawmakers in May last year to grant ABS-CBN a provisional franchise while the committee on legislative franchises was deliberating on the measures that sought to renew the original franchise of the network for another 25 years.
The measure was approved in the committee level, through the Committee of the Whole, and on second reading on May 13, 2020, eight days after ABS-CBN went off air, but it was later reverted to the plenary to accommodate additional interpellation and amendments from lawmakers.
Cayetano then decided to just consider the proposals to grant a 25-year-franchise to ABS-CBN instead of giving the network a provisional one, leaving House Bill 6732 pending on the floor.
But Alvarez said that since House Bill 6732 sought to grant ABS-CBN a provisional franchise until October 31, 2020 only, this is already "moot and academic."
Nevertheless, the House decided to take up "unfinished business" on Monday next week, to which Defensor agreed.
ABS-CBN's franchise lapsed on May 4, 2020. It went off air the following day after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease and desist order.
The NTC's action was contrary to NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba’s statement before the House of Representatives in March that they would issue a provisional authority to ABS-CBN to allow its continued broadcast operations "based on equity."
The House only decided to start its deliberations on bills seeking ABS-CBN's franchise renewal last March 10 even though these proposals had been pending in Congress since the beginning of the 18th Congress in July 2019.—AOL, GMA News