Thursday, February 11, 2021
Regional Updates (02/11/21)
Closed to trucks starting Feb. 20
Trucks and trailers will be banned from crossing the Nagtahan Flyover in Manila starting February 20 to avoid further damage and potential accidents on the structure that is already lined up for repair, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced Thursday. The agency said light vehicles can still use the bridge, based on the recommendation of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
P3.32-M calamity loan released to Marinduque electricity distributor
STATE-run National Electrification Administration (NEA) has extended a P3.32-million calamity loan to Marinduque Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Marelco) after it was hit by two typhoons last year, the agency said on Tuesday. In a press release, NEA said Marelco has received the calamity loan as of end-January. The loan is intended to help the electric cooperative restore power lines damaged by Typhoon Quinta (international name: Molave) and Super Typhoon Rolly (international name: Goni). Data from the NEA’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department showed that Marelco facilities suffered P26.69 million in damage from the two typhoons. “The calamity loan program of the NEA has a 10-year repayment term and one-year grace period. It has an interest rate of 3.25 percent per annum,” the agency said. In December, NEA released P25 million in calamity loans to First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative, Inc. (FICELCO) for the repair and rehabilitation of its power facilities after the utility bore the brunt of Typhoons Quinta and Rolly. NEA earlier said it had lent P439.98 million to twenty cooperatives last year, with bulk of the fund going to the distribution utilities’ capital expenditures and working capital. Of the total, some P128.08 million were handed out as calamity loans. — Angelica Y. Yang
Palawan plebiscite in March will be a ‘dry run’ for holding elections amid COVID — Comelec
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday said the upcoming plebiscite to ratify the division of Palawan into three provinces would serve as a “dry run” for the conduct of next year’s 2022 national and local polls as the country still battles the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In a virtual briefing on Thursday, Comelec Chair Sheriff M. Abas said the March 13 plebiscite will be the first time the poll body will implement stringent health measures during a voting exercise. “This will be like a dry run, how we run this plebiscite in Palawan, because if we reach May 2022, we will see in the plebiscite how ready the commission is, how ready the people, and how ready our partner agencies are in conducting this. The plebiscite is important on how we implement health and safety protocols,” he said in Filipino. Comelec Commissioner Antonio T. Kho, Jr. said the poll body en banc already approved “the creation of the new normal committee that will assist in the planning and anticipating of the health concerns to the 2022 elections.” The Palawan plebiscite is for the ratification of Republic Act No. 11259, signed into law on April 5, 2019. It divides Palawan into three provinces: Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan del Sur. There are 490,369 registered voters from 23 municipalities who are expected to take part in the voting. The plebiscite was originally set May 11, 2020. — Gillian M. Cortez
720 families still displaced after 2013 Zamboanga siege; city vows housing by August
THE Zamboanga City government aims to finally deliver by August the permanent housing units for the remaining 720 families who were among the thousands displaced during the September 2013 attack by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) faction under Nur Misuari. Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar called a meeting of the inter-agency committee earlier this week to direct both the involved local departments and national agencies to finish and turnover the houses before the 8th year since the siege. The attack prompted almost three weeks of armed urban battle between government forces and the MNLF members. “We want our IDPs (internally-displaced persons) to know that we have not forgotten them even as we are currently coping with the COVID pandemic,” Ms. Salazar, who also chairs the inter-agency committee, said in a statement following the meeting. “As mayor and chair of (the committee), I have given the agencies concerned a deadline until August 2021 to finish the construction of the housing units and award them to the target IDP beneficiaries,” she said. The offices involved in the program are the City Housing Division, City Engineer’s Office, National Housing Authority (NHA), and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees show 23,794 families composed of over 199,7000 individuals were displaced by the conflict. — MSJ
2 new Skyway 3 ramps opened on Thursday
SAN Miguel Corp. (SMC) opened on Thursday two new ramps of the Skyway Stage 3, its top official said. The company said in an e-mailed statement that it opened on February 11 the “A. Bonifacio northbound off-ramp, just before the Cloverleaf Mall in Balintawak, and the E. Rodriguez southbound off-ramp on Araneta Ave., which provides access to España.” The opening of the two ramps gives an option to Balintawak-bound motorists coming from Alabang, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Pasay, or Makati to avoid EDSA, Mr. Ramon Ang noted. “Those coming from NLEX (North Luzon Expressway) headed to Quezon City, on the other hand, can opt to take Skyway 3 to get to E. Rodriguez Ave,” he added. SMC is planning to open more access points soon, including Quirino Entry, Nagtahan Entry, Nagtahan Exit, E. Rodriguez Entry, and C3 Exit for northbound motorists. For southbound, it will open C3 Entry, C3 Exit, A. Bonifacio Entry, Plaza Dilao Exit, and Nagtahan Exit. SMC officially opened the new elevated expressway on Jan. 14. “With Skyway 3, motorists are now able to bypass EDSA and other busy streets and enjoy travel time from Buendia to Balintawak in just 20 minutes, and Alabang to Balintawak in only 30 minutes.” The project was built to reduce travel time between the South Luzon Expressway and NLEX to 20 minutes from around three hours previously. Magallanes to Balintawak should only take around 15 minutes, Balintawak to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) also only 15 minutes, and Valenzuela to Makati in just 10 minutes, the company said. — Arjay L. Balinbin
Comelec to enforce health, safety rules for Palawan plebiscite
By Ferdinand Patinio
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said the health and safety protocols to be implemented in next month's plebiscite on the division of Palawan into three separate provinces will play a major role in crafting guidelines for the conduct of next year's national and local elections.
“The plebiscite will be very important since we will be able to test the health and safety protocols there (to be implemented) during the plebiscite. It’s a sort of a dry run. If the pandemic is still here come May 2022, we will be able to see here if the Commission is ready, as well as the people and other concerned agencies on how will be able to conduct this event,” Comelec chair Sheriff Abas said in a virtual briefing on Thursday.
During the plebiscite on March 13, health protocols such as temperature checks, submission of health declaration forms, strict observance of proper respiratory etiquette; use of footbaths before entering the polling places, proper wearing of face mask and face shield, and observance of one-meter physical distancing.
They will also establish an isolation polling place (IPP) in every polling center for voters with a temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius or higher and those who answered “Yes” to any of the questions in the Covid-19 health declaration form.
The Palawan plebiscite period started on Thursday and will run until March 20, which means a gun ban is already in effect in the province. The campaign period for the referendum will run until March 11, 2021.
Republic Act 11259, calls for the creation of Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan del Sur through a plebiscite.
Meanwhile, Abas said they continue to prepare for the holding of the May 9, 2022 national and local elections.
“The Commission is preparing for the 2022 elections...we already have the Calendar of Activities for example, when is the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy, we have a tentative schedule from Oct. 1 until Oct. 8,” he added.
EXPLAINER: Palawan plebiscite: What voters, campaigners should know
As the plebiscite to ratify law splitting Palawan into three provinces nears, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday issued guidelines for both voters and campaigners.
A recap on the Palawan Plebiscite
According to Republic Act No. 11259 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on April 5, 2019, the province of Palawan will be divided into three provinces which will be named Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan del Sur.
Under the law, Palawan del Norte will have Taytay as its capital and will be composed of Coron, Culion, Busuanga, Linapacan, and El Nido.
Meanwhile, Roxas will be the capital of Palawan Oriental. Araceli, Dumaran, Cuyo, Agutaya, Magsaysay, Cagayancillo, and San Vicente will be included as part of the province.
Brooke’s Point will be the capital of Palawan del Sur, which will be the “mother province.” The province will consist of Aborlan, Narra, Quezon, Rizal, Española, Bataraza, Balabac, and Kalayaan, whose only barangay is Pag-Asa Island in the South China Sea
In a virtual press briefing, Atty. Coreen Nefalar of the Office of the Deputy Executive Director for Operations (Odedo) said that a total of 490,639 registered voters across the 23 municipalities of Palawan is expected to vote on whether the partition of the province should be ratified or rejected.
Puerto Princesa City, the current capital, will not take part in the plebiscite or in future elections in any of the new provinces as it will have its own district representative.
Nefalar also detailed that there will be 2,959 clustered precincts, 3,250 established precincts, 487 voting centers, and 3,446 Plebiscite Committees (PlebCom) for the upcoming plebiscite.
When will it be held?
According to Comelec, the plebiscite is set to be held on March 15. Registered voters can cast their votes from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The commission said the counting and canvassing of votes shall begin from 3 p.m. onwards.
The voting was initially planned to be held in May last year but was suspended by the Comelec due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Anti-Covid-19 measures
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases announced last year that it has approved a two-day voting period with five voters in one room at a time as a protocol for the plebiscite.
“Registered voters between the ages of 18 and 21 years old and those who are 60 years old and above, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women shall be exempt from mobility restrictions for the purpose of voting,” presidential spokesperson Happy Roque said in a statement.
Comelec has also issued its anti-Covid-19 measures to ensure the health safety of the people who will participate in the voting processes amid the ongoing pandemic.
The only persons allowed inside a polling place, according to Nefalar, are “the PlebCom members; one watcher each from the proponent, oppositor, and accredited Citizens’ Arm; and a maximum of five voters voting simultaneously at any given time.”
She added that only 200 voters will be allowed to vote in each clustered precincts.
Also included in the anti-Covid-19 measures approved by Comelec and IATF are:
- Inspection of voters before entry to the voting centers (thermal check)
- No face mask, no face shield, no entry
- Submission of pre-filled Health Declaration Form
- Medical personnel stationed at every voting center
- Observance of minimum public health standards such as physical distancing
- Disinfection station and foot bath in every polling place
- PlebCom members shall be in PPEs
- Use of voting booths
- Disinfection of frequently touched objects
Comelec Deputy Executive Director for Operations Teopisto Elnas explained that voters who will have a temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius or higher and/or those who answered “yes” to any of the questions in the Health Declaration Forms will be issued certification or clearance from medical personnel in the polling place.
After receiving a certification or clearance, the voters will be directed to an isolation polling place (IPP) where they can safely cast their votes.
Elnas added that the commission has procured and will distribute Covid-19 supplies in the 23 municipalities.
Voter guidelines
During the press briefing, Elnas likewise, reported that election officers have already posted the computerized list of voters in different barangays, municipal halls, and offices of election officers in Palawan except in Puerto Princesa.
In addition to posting the list of registered voters ahead of the plebiscite, Comelec also decided to set up voter’s assistance desks in every polling place to help voters find their polling precinct and sequence number.
This will also prevent queueing and crowding of voters in polling places.
To guide the voters on the voting process for the plebiscite, the commission listed the order of voting – which also aims to prevent health risks brought by Covid-19.
The order of voting issued by Comelec states that:
1. The voters should vote in the order of their arrival and must sanitize both hands before entering polling precincts;
2. Voters must wear a face mask and face shield;
3. No watcher shall enter the areas reserved for voters and PlebCom;
4. No watcher shall mingle and talk with the voters;
5. Persons carrying any firearm or other deadly weapon, except those expressly authorized by the commission, will be barred from entering the polling place;
6. There shall be no crowding of voters and any disorderly behavior;
7. Everyone must observe and comply with the one-meter physical/social distancing;
8. The voters having cast their votes shall immediately leave.
Each voter is required to answer the question: “Pumapayag ka ba na hatiin ang Probinsya ng Palawan sa tatlong (3) probinsya na papangalanang: Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, at Palawan del Sur alinsunod sa Batas Republika Bilang 11259?”
(Do you allow the division of Palawan into three provinces namely Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan del Sur, in accordance with Republic Act no. 11259?)
Campaign guidelines
Meanwhile, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez explained that those who will be campaigning for or against the ratification of the law must follow several guidelines issued by the commission.
The following specifications, Jimenez said, should be strictly followed for any lawful campaign propaganda promoting the approval or disapproval of the RA 11259:
- “Pamphlets, leaflets, cards, decals, stickers, or other written or printed materials the size of which does not exceed eight and one-half inches (8 1/2) in width and fourteen inches (14″) in length.”
- “Handwritten or printed letters urging voters to vote for or against the ratification of the law.”
- “Posters made of cloth, paper, cardboard, or any other material, whether framed or posted, with an area not exceeding 2 feet by 3 feet which shall be posted on designated common poster areas or on private property with the consent of the owner.”
- “Streamers not exceeding 3 feet by 8 feet in size displayed during the conduct of symposia, fora, debates, or “pulong-pulongs.” Said streamers may be displayed five (5) days before the date of the symposia, fora, debates, or “pulong-pulongs” and shall be removed within twenty-four (24) hours after said activity.”
- “Social media posts, whether original or re-posted from some source, which may either be incidental to the poster’s advocacies of social issues or which may have, for its primary purpose, the endorsement or non-endorsement of the law only.”
- “Mobile units, vehicles, motorcades of all types, whether engine or manpower driven or animal drawn, with or without sound systems or loudspeakers and with or without lights.”
- “In the headquarters and residences of individuals or groups campaigning for the approval or disapproval of the law, lawful paraphernalia may be displayed, but banners or streamers shall not be allowed.”
In terms of paid advertisements in broadcast, internet, mobile, or print media, Jimenez said:
- “Print advertisements shall not exceed one-fourth (1/4) page in broadsheet and one-half (1/2) page in tabloids and shall not be published more than three (3) times a week per newspaper, magazine, or other publication during the information and campaign period.”
- “Broadcast propaganda shall not exceed to not more than a total of sixty (60) minutes of television advertising, on a per station basis, whether appearing on national, regional, or local, free or cable television, and ninety (90) minutes on radio advertising, on a per station basis, whether airing on national, regional, or local radio, whether by purchase or donation.”
The Comelec spokesperson likewise, encouraged campaigners to use recyclable and environment-friendly materials. Any material which may contain hazardous chemicals and substances in the production of the campaign propaganda is not allowed.
The information campaign period – whether held online, televised, radio-aired, or through “pulong-pulongs,” symposia, fora, or debates — begins on February 11 and will end on March 11.
The commission emphasized that everyone, including those from Puerto Princesa and other parts of the country, is allowed to campaign and participate in symposiums or debates. However, Comelec reiterated that only those among the registered voters from the 23 municipalities are allowed to vote in the plebiscite.
“Kahit sino naman puwede mag campaign. In fact, people from any part of the Philippines, as long as you’re a citizen of the Philippines, you can campaign but you are not allowed to vote,” said Commissioner Antonio Kho.
“Everyone is welcome, wala po tayong pipigilan na mag-attend o mag participate at hanggang kakayanin we will accomodate all sides of the issue. Ang importante po ay magkaroon ng pagkakataon ang bawal Palaweño na marinig ang information on both sides at sila po ay makapag decide para mai-voice out nila ang kanilang saloobin sa isyung ito,” Jimenez followed.
Still, they added that health protocols should always be observed, especially during face-to-face activities.
“It is free to campaign and to join symposiums and debates. Our only concern is that we will not stand down as far as the implementation of the minimum health standards in every campaign,” Elnas said.
JPV
House on ABS-CBN franchise: ‘Wait until next Congress’
CALLS to revive the franchise of media network ABS-CBN will have to wait “until the next Congress” or in 2022, when the current administration ends, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said on Thursday. Velasco issued the statement three days after President Rodrigo Duterte said he would not allow the continued operations of the network even if Congress granted a new franchise, claiming that ABS-CBN had unpaid taxes.
Velasco said the House of Representatives will focus on priority legislation of the Duterte administration and measures against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
“With a little over a year until the 2022 elections, the House of Representatives is bent on finishing the remaining priority measures of this Administration to ensure that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte fulfills his campaign promise to the Filipino people,” he said.
“On top of these priority legislation, we would like to see the passage of Bayanihan 3, as well as other economic bills geared toward rebuilding the Philippine economy shattered by the devastating impact of the global pandemic and rebuilding the lives of every Filipino disrupted by the health crisis,” he added.
Campaign period for March 13 Palawan Plebiscite starts
The campaign period for the March 13, 2021 Palawan Plebiscite has officially started.
In Resolution No.10687, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) set the Information and Campaign Period from Feb. 11 to March 11, 2021.
Prohibited acts during the Information and Campaign Period are the removing, destroying, or tampering of lawful plebiscite propaganda; appointment or hiring of new employees, creation of new positions filling of new positions, or giving of salary increases, remuneration, or privileges; construction of public works, delivery of materials for public works, and issuance of treasury warrants or similar devices; release, disbursement, or expenditures of public funds; raising of funds, thru dances, lotteries, cockfights, etc.; and use of armored/land water/aircraft.
The Plebiscite Period,on the other hand, shall run from Feb. 11 to March 20, 2021.
Prohibited during this period are the alteration of territory of a precinct or establishment of a new precinct; bearing, carrying, or transporting firearms or other deadly weapons in public places, unless authorized in writing by the Commission; transfer or detail of officers and employees in the civil service; organization or maintenance of reaction forces, strike forces or similar forces; suspension of local elective officials; and illegal release of prisoners.
The poll body 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 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 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon.
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 on March 13, 2021.
https://mb.com.ph/2021/02/11/campaign-period-for-march-13-palawan-plebiscite-starts/
Comelec enforces gun ban ahead of Palawan plebiscite
The Commission on Elections is set to implement an election gun ban in Palawan ahead of a plebiscite that will ratify a law dividing the province into three.
“Starting from February 11, 2021 to March 20, 2021, gun ban will be implemented for the province of Palawan,” Comelec Deputy Executive Director for Operations Teopisto Elnas said Thursday in a virtual press briefing.
The gun ban was in accordance with Comelec Resolution no. 10691 promulgated on February 3 and signed by its members led by Comelec chair Sheriff Abas. The ban includes the transport of firearms, ammunition, and raw materials in the manufacture of firearms and explosives.
“Only regular members of the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agencies of the Government who are duly deputized in writing by the Commission for election duty may be authorized to carry and possess firearms during the election period: Provided, That, when in the possession of firearms, the deputized law enforcement officer must be: (a) in full uniform showing clearly and legibly his name, rank and serial number, which shall remain visible at all times, and (b) in the actual performance of his election duty in the specific area designated by the Commission,” the resolution read.
The commission added that it has promulgated the Comelec Resolution no. 10694, which mandates the establishment of checkpoints.
The Comelec is scheduled to hold the plebiscite in 23 municipalities of Palawan on March 13 to ratify the Republic Act No. 11259 which aims to divide the province into Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan del Sur.
The law was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last April 5, 2019. The plebiscite was originally planned to be held in May last year but was suspended by the Comelec due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1394656/comelec-enforces-gun-ban-ahead-of-palawan-plebiscite
COVID-19 won't stop Palawan plebiscite, says Comelec
'Tuloy na tuloy na po ito,' says Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas on the March 13 Palawan plebiscite
Even if there is an increase in COVID-19 cases in Palawan, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will still push through with the long-awaited plebiscite on the law that divides the province into three.
Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas said this in an online press briefing on Thursday, February 11, when asked if there's a possibility that the plebiscite would be postponed if there is a spike in coronavirus cases in the province.
"This (the law) has long been signed by the President back before the pandemic.... Sa ngayon, tuloy na tuloy na po ito. Kahit dadami siya nang bahagya, tuloy na tuloy na po (As of how, this will really push through. Even if there is a slight increase in cases, this will really push through)," Abas said.
Republic Act No. 11259, signed on April 5, 2019, divides Palawan into Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan del Sur, with the latter as the mother province.
The new provinces will be created upon approval of a majority Palawan voters in a plebiscite. The vote was first scheduled on May 11, 2020, but the pandemic pushed it to March 13, 2021.
Abas said that local health officials do not project any spike in cases as the entire province only has 7 active cases as of Wednesday, February 10.
He also assured voters that the Comelec will enforce measures that will prevent the spread of the virus like requiring physical distancing and wearing of face masks. – Rappler.com
https://www.rappler.com/nation/comelec-says-coronavirus-will-not-stop-palawan-plebiscite
Revive ABS-CBN franchise? Wait until after Duterte term
Speaker Lord Allan Velasco issues this statement 3 days after President Duterte said he won't recognize any new ABS-CBN franchise
Speaker Lord Allan Velasco has no intention of heeding calls for the House of Representatives to reconsider an earlier decision that denied ABS-CBN its franchise.
“Calls to revive the franchise of ABS-CBN will have to wait until the next Congress,” said Velasco in a statement on Thursday, February 11, dousing hopes the media giant would somehow get a second chance to go an air again before President Rodrigo Duterte steps down in 2022.
By next Congress, Velasco meant the one that will convene in July 2022, two months after the scheduled May 2022 presidential elections.
Velasco said the House would rather focus on other priority measures since there is roughly only a year left before the next polls. The list includes the Marinduque congressman’s proposed Bayanihan to Arise as One Act, the 3rd installment of the Bayanihan law that would set another P420-billion worth of funds to help the country recover from coronavirus pandemic.
“With a little over a year until the 2022 elections, the House of Representatives is bent on finishing the remaining priority measures of this administration to ensure that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte fulfills his campaign promise to the Filipino people,” Velasco said.
The Speaker made this statement 3 days after Duterte declared he would not recognize any franchise granted by Congress to ABS-CBN.
The President repeated allegations that the Lopezes, whose family runs ABS-CBN, had unjustly benefited when the state-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) allegedly condoned P1.6 billion worth of loans in 2006.
But during a House hearing on January 18, the DBP itself denied that it condoned or wrote off loans of the Lopez Group of Companies back in the early 2000s.
The House committee on legislative franchises had rejected ABS-CBN's bid for a franchise renewal in July 2020 following Duterte's sustained threats against the network.
The country would keep GMA as the sole free-to-air network.
Even before the rejection, ABS-CBN was already ordered to cease its television and radio operations when its 25-year-old franchise expired on May 4, 2020.
Legislators denied ABS-CBN’s franchise bid over alleged "numerous violations" – a decision widely condemned as politically motivated under a House dominated by Duterte allies.
Months later in January 2021, House Deputy Speaker Vilma Santos Recto and Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III filed their respective bills giving a fresh franchise to ABS-CBN.
Velasco’s statement now makes it clear that the House would not act on Recto’s pending bill.
Prodding from ABS-CBN accuser Defensor
One of Velasco’s critics in the House had also pushed the Speaker to act on pending measures involving ABS-CBN and the Lopez family.
On January 27, Anakalusugan Representative Mike Defensor – one of ABS-CBN’s main accusers during the franchise hearings last year – asked the plenary to act on pending House Bill (HB) No. 6732 that seeks to give ABS-CBN an interim franchise for 6 months.
Defensor failed to note that HB 6732 was meant to give the now-shutdown ABS-CBN a provisional franchise until October 31, 2020 only.
House committee on legislative franchises chair Franz Alvarez then said that even if the House plenary decides to act on this bill, it would already be “moot and academic.”
Defensor – an ally of Velasco’s rival and ousted speaker Alan Peter Cayetano – would later deliver another privilege speech on Tuesday, February 9, to push the House to continue probing the alleged DBP loan condonation.
Defensor insisted that lawmakers have evidence against the Lopezes. He then said the Velasco-led House would be going against Duterte’s wishes should they stop investigating the Lopezes.
But Defensor's remarks were stricken out of the plenary records since the matter is still pending with the House committee on good government and public accountability, which has scheduled a second hearing next Wednesday, February 17. – Rappler.com
After Duterte rant, Velasco quashes hope for ABS-CBN franchise renewal
Following President Rodrigo Duterte’s rant against the Lopezes and their TV network ABS-CBN, House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco quashed hopes that the media giant’s franchise would get renewed under his leadership.
Velasco, who until Thursday was mum about ABS-CBN, said in a statement that attempts to grant it a new franchise would have to wait until the next Congress as the House is prioritizing administration measures.
“With a little over a year until the 2022 elections, the House of Representatives is bent on finishing the remaining priority measures of this administration to ensure that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte fulfills his campaign promise to the Filipino people,” he said.
He added that on top of priority legislation, the House would also like to pass a third stimulus bill, dubbed Bayanihan 3 which he authored along with Rep. Stella Quimbo (Marikina), and other economic measures geared toward rebuilding the economy that has been decimated by the pandemic.
House legislative franchises committee chair Rep. Franz Alvarez (Palawan) issued a similar statement in January, saying that his panel’s decision in July 2020 to reject ABS-CBN’s application for a fresh franchise — widely viewed as an attack on press freedom — “has become final.”
In January, Rep. Michael Defensor (Anakalusugan party-list), who was among the lawmakers who led the charge against ABS-CBN, attempted to put the network’s franchise up to a plenary vote.
But this was averted by the House leadership by archiving the bill that sought to grant ABS-CBN a provisional franchise.
Duterte says, House does
Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza, a Velasco ally, had hoped that ABS-CBN’s franchise would get renewed under the leadership of the new speaker, who took over the reins of the chamber in October 2020 following a coup that ousted Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano (Taguig-Pateros) from the top post in the House.
“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 told ANC’s “Headstart” in January.
Duterte on Monday once again used his weekly address on the government’s response to the pandemic to touch on a completely different topic — this time, the Lopezes and their TV network ABS-CBN.
He claimed without elaborating that the Lopezes committed “criminal acts,” which he said included the DBP's reported condonation of the loans. He referred to the loans as unpaid taxes.
Because of these, he said, he would not allow the National Telecommunications Commission to grant ABS-CBN a permit to operate even if Congress grants it a new franchise.
Duterte’s words do hold sway in the House, where he has a supermajority. His pronouncements and policies, for example on ABS-CBN, have been generally followed by the lower chamber.
Duterte’s own pronouncements on ABS-CBN betray Malacañang’s claims that the president is keeping his hands off the TV network, as the chief executive has vowed to see the end of the broadcast giant which earned his ire for not airing his campaign advertisement and for supposedly taking sides during the 2016 presidential race.
Speaker says ABS-CBN franchise renewal will have to wait for next Congress
Speaker Lord Allan Velasco on Thursday said calls to revive the franchise of ABS-CBN will have to wait until the next Congress.
In a statement, Velasco said the House of Representatives is bent on finishing the remaining priority measures of the Duterte administration with a little over a year before the 2022 elections.
"On top of these priority legislation, we would like to see the passage of Bayanihan 3, as well as other economic bills geared toward rebuilding the Philippine economy shattered by the devastating impact of the global pandemic and rebuilding the lives of every Filipino disrupted by the health crisis," he said.
Velasco's statement came after President Rodrigo Duterte said he will not allow the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to issue a permit to operate to ABS-CBN even if Congress renewed the network’s franchise.
In a televised meeting on government's COVID-19 response, the President said he knew of plans to give the network a chance to use free TV and radio frequencies again after a congressional committee last year rejected the renewal of its lapsed franchise.
Several lawmakers have filed bills seeking to revive the broadcast franchise of ABS-CBN, including Deputy Speaker Vilma Santos, Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Gabriel Bordado, and Senate President Vicente Sotto III.
Duterte said the Lopezes must first settle their alleged tax liability - a claim that the Bureau of Internal Revenue had long debunked.
At last year’s House hearings on the ABS-CBN franchise, BIR Assistant Commissioner Manuel Mapoy told lawmakers said ABS-CBN had been regularly paying its corporate taxes for the past years and that "there is no outstanding delinquent accounts as we speak."
Speaker has spoken: Calls to revive ABS-CBN franchise have to wait until next Congress
House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco has broken his silence: Calls to revive the franchise of media giant ABS-CBN will have to wait until the next Congress.
Velasco made the remark Thursday, saying that the House of Representatives is set on finishing the priority measures of the administration on the remaining days of the Duterte government.
“With a little over a year until the 2022 elections, the House of Representatives is bent on finishing the remaining priority measures of this Administration to ensure that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte fulfills his campaign promise to the Filipino people,” Velasco said in a statement.
“On top of this priority legislation, we would like to see the passage of Bayanihan 3, as well as other economic bills geared toward rebuilding the Philippine economy shattered by the devastating impact of the global pandemic and rebuilding the lives of every Filipino disrupted by the health crisis,” the House Speaker added.
Velasco, who has been silent on the franchise issue, made the remark after President Rodrigo Duterte said he would not allow ABS-CBN to operate even if Congress granted the Lopez-owned network a new franchise.
“Congress is planning to restore the franchise of the Lopezes. I have no problem with if you restore it,” Duterte said in Filipino in his pre-recorded speech earlier this week.
“But if you say that they can operate if they already have it, no. I will not allow them. I will not allow the NTC to grant them the permit to operate,” he added, referring to the National Telecommunications Commission.
“Unless in a deal, the Lopezes would pay their taxes, I will not — I will ignore your franchise, and I will not give them the license to operate,” Duterte said.
Duterte made the statement even as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has said that ABS-CBN has no tax default as it has been “regularly” paying taxes for the past years.
It has been seven months since 70 members and ex-officio members of the House committee on legislative franchises denied ABS-CBN’s franchise bid—a move that critics have dubbed as an attack on press freedom.
The franchise issue would resurface from time to time months after the denial, but on January 28, Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, who also chairs the House legislative franchise panel, said the issue is “best left to next Congress.”
ABS-CBN: The return and phenomenal growth
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morning song Winter Dawn (1998 version)
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On January 4, 2021, Karen Davila and Tony Velasquez begin co-anchoring The World Tonight, ABS-CBN & the Philippines' longest-running newscast.
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| TV Guide graphic (1), background music: Peace of Mind 1 by Richard Friedman |
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| Beautiful Moments by China Central Television (2005 version) |
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morning song Winter Dawn by China Central Television (1998 version)
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| Ingesting and editing |
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| Monitoring Room at Technical Operations Center |
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| Beautiful Moments by China Central Television (2005 version) |
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| Winter Dawn by China Central Television (1998 version) |
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The President is actually looking forward to the end of his six-year term and his return to his home city of Davao.
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Manila Time |
Program Title |
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02:25-03:25 |
Test Card |
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03:25-03:57 |
Beautiful Moments by China Central Television (2005
version), Winter Dawn by China Central Television (1998 version), TV Guide,
Orbit 1 by David Arnold and Paul Brian Hart, Lupang Hinirang by UP Madrigal
Singers with the PNP Band (1998 Centennial Version), Panatang Makabayan for
Philippine Centennial 1998 produced by ABS-CBN, Announcement, ABS-CBN Station
Notice (Start-up) (2022), Pray the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary: Luminous
Mysteries by Kris Aquino, Awit sa Ina ng Santo Rosaryo by Carol Banawa,
ABS-CBN Station ID (5 Seconds), Please Stand by, Independence Day 2004
Campaign |
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03:57-04:00 |
Kape't Pandasal |
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04:00-05:00 |
Gising Pilipinas (Live) |
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05:00-05:30 |
Balita Alas Singko ng Umaga (Live) |
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05:30-08:00 |
Alas Singko Y Medya (Live) |
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08:00-13:00 |
Presidential Inauguration Coverage (Live): Oath taking at
the Barasoain Church |
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13:00-14:30 |
Magandang Tanghali Bayan (Live) |
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14:30-15:00 |
SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon (Live) |
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15:00-15:30 |
Flames (rerun episode) |
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15:30-16:00 |
Telenovela |
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16:00-18:00 |
Presidential Inauguration Coverage 2 (Live): Inauguration
ceremony at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila |
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18:00-18:30 |
TV Patrol (Live) |
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18:30-19:00 |
Ang Probinsyano (new episode) |
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19:00-19:30 |
Make It with You (new episode) |
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19:30-20:30 |
Ipaglaban mo (new episode) |
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20:30-21:30 |
Maalaala mo Kaya (new episode) |
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21:30-22:30 |
Nagmamahal, Kapamilya (new episode) |
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22:30-23:00 |
The World Tonight (Live) |
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23:00-23:30 |
Sports U (new episode) |
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23:30-00:00 |
Martin Late @ Night (Live) |
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00:00-00:30 |
Game Time (Delayed Telecast) |
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00:30-01:00 |
Business Nightly (Delayed Telecast) |
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01:00-01:30 |
Dayaw (replay) |
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01:30-02:00 |
Balitang America (Live) |
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02:00-02:30 |
Pray the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary: Sorrowful Mysteries
by Ballsy Aquino-Cruz, Stella Maris by Bukas Palad Music Ministry (1989
version), closing song Feeling Quiet by China Central Television (1998-1999 version), Lupang Hinirang by UP Madrigal Singers with the PNP Band (1998
Centennial Version), Announcement, ABS-CBN 2 Station Notice 2022 (Sign Off
Version), Test Card |
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| Beautiful Moments by China Central Television (2005 version) |
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| Winter Dawn by China Central Television (1998 version) |
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| TV Guide graphic |
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| Viewing Guide graphic (2) |
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| Viewing Guide graphic (3) |
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| Viewing Guide graphic (4), background music: Peace of Mind 1 by Richard Friedman |
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| Viewing Guide graphic (5), background music: Peace of Mind 1 by Richard Friedman |
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| The Correspondents hosts Bernadette Sembrano, Karen Davila and Abner Mercado |
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| Gus Abelgas, host of ABS-CBN S.O.C.O. |
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| Martin Nievera, host of Martin Late @ Night |
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| Migs Bustos, anchor of Gametime |
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| Michelle Ong, anchor of Business Nightly |
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| ABS-CBN Chapel of Annunciation |
