Several lawmakers denied claims that the leaders of the House of Representatives are pushing those who signed a resolution pressing for immediate action on ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal to withdraw their signatures.
Citing “verified reports,” Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman on Tuesday said House leaders have been asking signatories to withdraw their support to House Resolution (HR) No. 639 that urges the House committee on legislative franchises to “report out without further delay for plenary action” a consolidated version of the bills on ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.
But Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, one of the lawmakers who signed the resolution, said that nobody approached him to withdraw his support of the resolution.
“It’s not true. I’m a signatory, nobody has approached me to withdraw and I continue to stick with my signature,” Rodriguez told reporters when asked about the alleged pressure.
Rodriguez said he was hesitant at first to sign the resolution as he wants to give Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, who chairs the legislative franchises committee, more time.
“But because there’s no action, I am now compelled to sign already to take it out from the committee and hear it in the plenary,” Rodriguez said.
Likewise, Isabela Rep. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano, who serves as vice-chairperson of the legislative franchises committee, denied the allegations, but said that members of the House have the right to withdraw their own signatures “due to their own cognizance or self enlightenment.”
“I surmise that the reason for them to withdraw their signatures on their own without pressure from the leadership was because they might have realized the negativity in them signing the said petition or resolution,” Albano said in a statement on Tuesday.
Albano listed possible reasons for the withdrawal of signature of some lawmakers such as the realization that they are “shooting themselves in their own foot” by signing the resolution.
“In signing this resolution as members of the majority leadership in the committee of franchise, they are actually saying that they are not doing their job as members of the said committee,” Albano said.
“When truly, they are part of the committee that has been doing a lot of hard to goodness work. Therefore suddenly, some realizes that It doesn’t make sense for them to sign the said resolution and still be with the majority,” he added.
Further, another possible reason Albano cited was the lawmakers’ realization that they will create a bad precedent if they sign the resolution.
“That being chairpersons and members of their own committees apart from the franchise committee, they would be hurt if we also suddenly do it to them and short cut the process just because we have gathered enough signatures and take away the committee’s right to calendar the case in their own time frame, hear the case, and promulgate a decision,” Albano said.
Likewise, Bulacan Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado, one of the vice chairpersons of the legislative franchises committee, denied the claims.
“Wala namang pinepressure sa usaping ganyan pero hindi natin alam sa side nila, baka naman may ilang nakausap sa side nila pero sa side ng majority ay walang pine-pressure ang majority,” Sy-Alvarado told reporters.
(There is no one being pressured but we do not know on their side, maybe they had talked to someone on their side, but in the side of the majority the majority is pressuring no one.)
As of February 17, Lagman said HR 639 has been signed by nearly 100 lawmakers — including eight deputy speakers.
INQUIRER.net has reached out to Lagman for an updated number of signatories but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1230805/solons-deny-pressure-from-house-leaders-amid-abs-cbn-franchise-issue
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
11 municipalities in BARMM will receive IRA
LANAO DEL SUR: Eleven municipalities in the Bangasamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will receive their Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) shares. Abdullah Cusain, assistant executive secretary of the Office of the Chief Minister, announced this during the “Kapihan sa Bangsamoro” held last Tuesday in Cotabato City. The 11 municipalities are Datu Salibo, Datu Hoffer, Mangudadatu, Pandag, Northern Kabuntalan, Datu Blah Sinsuat and Datu Anggal Midtimbang in Maguindanao; and Akbar, Al-Barka, Hadji Muhtamad and Mohammad Ajul in Basilan. The municipalities had previously failed to meet the requirements needed in receiving IRA during the now-defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Article VI, Section 10 of the Bangsamoro Organic Law states that “the municipalities or barangay (villages) created, divided, merged or whose boundaries are substantially altered, shall be entitled to their appropriate share in the national taxes or Internal Revenue Allotment: Provided that it shall be approved by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite in the political units directly affected.”
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/02/19/news/regions/11-municipalities-in-barmm-will-receive-ira/689421/
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/02/19/news/regions/11-municipalities-in-barmm-will-receive-ira/689421/
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Atienza to colleagues: Act on franchise or resign
By Raymund Antonio
Buhay Representative Lito Atienza on Tuesday asked his colleagues in Congress to act now on the franchise renewal application of media giant ABS-CBN Corp. or step down from their posts.
Speaking to media at the weekly Pandesal Forum in Quezon City, Atienza said that lawmakers should fulfill their mandate instead of leaving the matter to the Supreme Court.
“I’m defending the position that Congress must function. We must take up the franchise, whether you’re for or against is not material to me,” he said.
“I don’t want ABS-CBN to close down without Congress voting for it,” he stressed.
Atienza is not convinced his fellow lawmakers are still too busy with other concerns for them to tackle bills renewing the ABS-CBN’s franchise.
The partylist lawmaker called out House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, for refusing to work on the franchise renewal.
“That’s despicable, condemnable when Congress says we can’t handle a very important matter because we have to attend to so many things. There are many congressmen who want to work,” he said.
The broadcast network’s 25-year legislative franchise is set to expire on March 30.
Cayetano, however, assured that ABS-CBN can operate way past the expiration date as long as the 18th Congress has not yet adjourned.
His assurance was in contrast to the reaction of Atienza, who called it just the House leader’s “razzle dazzle game.”
“They are made to believe that you only need now is a special permit and you can continue. Speaker Cayetano said they are good up to 2022, that’s not legally tenable. If you don’t have a franchise, your license is expired,” he said.
Former congressman Renato Diaz, who was also a guest in the media forum, shared the same view, saying that it’s ”game over” for ABS-CBN if it fails to get its franchise renewed in Congress.
“Can anybody air without a franchise? The answer is no. In the name of press freedom, no,” he said.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/02/18/atienza-to-colleagues-act-on-franchise-or-resign/
Buhay Representative Lito Atienza on Tuesday asked his colleagues in Congress to act now on the franchise renewal application of media giant ABS-CBN Corp. or step down from their posts.
Speaking to media at the weekly Pandesal Forum in Quezon City, Atienza said that lawmakers should fulfill their mandate instead of leaving the matter to the Supreme Court.
“I’m defending the position that Congress must function. We must take up the franchise, whether you’re for or against is not material to me,” he said.
“I don’t want ABS-CBN to close down without Congress voting for it,” he stressed.
Atienza is not convinced his fellow lawmakers are still too busy with other concerns for them to tackle bills renewing the ABS-CBN’s franchise.
The partylist lawmaker called out House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, for refusing to work on the franchise renewal.
“That’s despicable, condemnable when Congress says we can’t handle a very important matter because we have to attend to so many things. There are many congressmen who want to work,” he said.
The broadcast network’s 25-year legislative franchise is set to expire on March 30.
Cayetano, however, assured that ABS-CBN can operate way past the expiration date as long as the 18th Congress has not yet adjourned.
His assurance was in contrast to the reaction of Atienza, who called it just the House leader’s “razzle dazzle game.”
“They are made to believe that you only need now is a special permit and you can continue. Speaker Cayetano said they are good up to 2022, that’s not legally tenable. If you don’t have a franchise, your license is expired,” he said.
Former congressman Renato Diaz, who was also a guest in the media forum, shared the same view, saying that it’s ”game over” for ABS-CBN if it fails to get its franchise renewed in Congress.
“Can anybody air without a franchise? The answer is no. In the name of press freedom, no,” he said.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/02/18/atienza-to-colleagues-act-on-franchise-or-resign/
Business groups call for ABS-CBN franchise renewal
The business groups note the critical role of a free press in economic development
Four of the biggest business groups in the Philippines called on Congress to act on bills filed by several lawmakers to renew the broadcasting franchise of media giant ABS-CBN.
The Makati Business Club, Institute of Corporate Directors, Institute for Solidarity in Asia, and Management Association of the Philippines issued a joint statement on Tuesday, February 18, asking the legislature for "balanced, fair, and timely consideration" of the moves to keep ABS-CBN on-air.
The groups also pointed out the media's role in the economy.
"We fervently urge Congress to judiciously address any issues raised against the company while taking serious account of the bedrock issues of media freedom and free enterprise, which allow businesses to flourish for the overall welfare of our economy and our people," they said.
President Rodrigo Duterte claims that ABS-CBN did not air his political ads in 2016, and even suggested that the network "sell" to a white knight investor.
The House of Representatives has yet to act on franchise renewal measures, with Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano openly stating that he did not like ABS-CBN's coverage of the 2016 elections. Cayetano ran but lost in the vice presidential race then. (READ: Gerald Anderson as Alan Peter Cayetano)
Bills seeking to renew the franchise for another 25 years were first filed in 2014, but remained pending at the committee level.
Solicitor General Jose Calida has filed a quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN, claiming the network violated the Constitution by using Philippine Depositary Receipts, a legal financial instrument.
https://www.rappler.com/business/252102-groups-call-for-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal
Four of the biggest business groups in the Philippines called on Congress to act on bills filed by several lawmakers to renew the broadcasting franchise of media giant ABS-CBN.
The Makati Business Club, Institute of Corporate Directors, Institute for Solidarity in Asia, and Management Association of the Philippines issued a joint statement on Tuesday, February 18, asking the legislature for "balanced, fair, and timely consideration" of the moves to keep ABS-CBN on-air.
The groups also pointed out the media's role in the economy.
"We fervently urge Congress to judiciously address any issues raised against the company while taking serious account of the bedrock issues of media freedom and free enterprise, which allow businesses to flourish for the overall welfare of our economy and our people," they said.
President Rodrigo Duterte claims that ABS-CBN did not air his political ads in 2016, and even suggested that the network "sell" to a white knight investor.
The House of Representatives has yet to act on franchise renewal measures, with Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano openly stating that he did not like ABS-CBN's coverage of the 2016 elections. Cayetano ran but lost in the vice presidential race then. (READ: Gerald Anderson as Alan Peter Cayetano)
Bills seeking to renew the franchise for another 25 years were first filed in 2014, but remained pending at the committee level.
Solicitor General Jose Calida has filed a quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN, claiming the network violated the Constitution by using Philippine Depositary Receipts, a legal financial instrument.
https://www.rappler.com/business/252102-groups-call-for-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal
Talent managers, KBP back calls to renew ABS-CBN franchise
More industry organizations have spoken up in favor of the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise, days after the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) filed a quo warranto petition which appears to seek the revocation of the company's broadcasting operations.
Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC), a group of professional and active entertainment journalists of newspapers, magazines, and tabloids, bloggers/vloggers, online influencers, and radio/TV/online reporters, has voiced concern over the possible loss of jobs should renewal of the media company’s franchise be rejected or approved.
“We are one in calling on Congress to reconsider the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, which is set to expire on March this year. We fully believe in upholding the freedom of the press and of expression in our motherland, the Philippines,” said PMPC in its statement.
Professional Artist Managers, Inc. (PAMI), meanwhile emphasized the public service that ABS-CBN renders to Filipinos in need.
“More than anything, ABS-CBN brings joy to millions of viewers, and delivers relief to thousands of beneficiaries during typhoons, flash floods, and volcanic eruptions, among others. They also provide a safe space for abused children, aside from reporting vital information and news to the public here and abroad,” said PAMI.
The group of talent managers also called on the government and the Congress to be fair and to consider the effects if ABS-CBN is shut down.
On the other hand, Directors’ Guild of the Philippines, Inc. (DGPI), an organization comprised of top Filipino feature-length filmmakers, is “deeply concerned” about the OSG’s quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN.
“Like cinema, press freedom plays a vanguard role in society: not only is it meant to communicate and disseminate information, but it also plays the crucial role of being a mirror to its audience, and making us face and question our cultural ills,” DGPI’s board of directors said in a statement.
“As filmmakers, let us advocate for democracy and denounce any attempt to silence media and cultural entities that are critical of power,” it added.
Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) has also reiterated its support for ABS-CBN, saying the Kapamilya network works “hand in hand” with the KBP members in upholding broadcast responsibilities and initiating industry reforms.
The OSG recently filed a quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court to nullify the franchise of ABS-CBN.
ABS-CBN, however, refuted the allegations, saying these were “without merit,” and strongly maintained that it “did not violate the law” and that the move appears to be an “attempt to deprive Filipinos of the services of ABS-CBN.”
https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2020/02/18/1994140/talent-managers-kbp-back-calls-renew-abs-cbn-franchise
Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC), a group of professional and active entertainment journalists of newspapers, magazines, and tabloids, bloggers/vloggers, online influencers, and radio/TV/online reporters, has voiced concern over the possible loss of jobs should renewal of the media company’s franchise be rejected or approved.
“We are one in calling on Congress to reconsider the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, which is set to expire on March this year. We fully believe in upholding the freedom of the press and of expression in our motherland, the Philippines,” said PMPC in its statement.
Professional Artist Managers, Inc. (PAMI), meanwhile emphasized the public service that ABS-CBN renders to Filipinos in need.
“More than anything, ABS-CBN brings joy to millions of viewers, and delivers relief to thousands of beneficiaries during typhoons, flash floods, and volcanic eruptions, among others. They also provide a safe space for abused children, aside from reporting vital information and news to the public here and abroad,” said PAMI.
The group of talent managers also called on the government and the Congress to be fair and to consider the effects if ABS-CBN is shut down.
On the other hand, Directors’ Guild of the Philippines, Inc. (DGPI), an organization comprised of top Filipino feature-length filmmakers, is “deeply concerned” about the OSG’s quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN.
“Like cinema, press freedom plays a vanguard role in society: not only is it meant to communicate and disseminate information, but it also plays the crucial role of being a mirror to its audience, and making us face and question our cultural ills,” DGPI’s board of directors said in a statement.
“As filmmakers, let us advocate for democracy and denounce any attempt to silence media and cultural entities that are critical of power,” it added.
Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) has also reiterated its support for ABS-CBN, saying the Kapamilya network works “hand in hand” with the KBP members in upholding broadcast responsibilities and initiating industry reforms.
The OSG recently filed a quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court to nullify the franchise of ABS-CBN.
ABS-CBN, however, refuted the allegations, saying these were “without merit,” and strongly maintained that it “did not violate the law” and that the move appears to be an “attempt to deprive Filipinos of the services of ABS-CBN.”
https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2020/02/18/1994140/talent-managers-kbp-back-calls-renew-abs-cbn-franchise
Biz groups call for 'balanced, fair, timely' deliberation on ABS-CBN franchise
Four business groups on Tuesday called for a "balanced, fair, and timely" deliberation on bills filed on Congress to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN Corp.
In a joint statement, the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA), the Makati Business Club (MBC), and the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) urged Congress to take into consideration freedom of the press.
"We the undersigned business organizations express our strong support for a balanced, fair, and timely consideration of the bills filed by several lawmakers on the renewal of ABS-CBN Corporation's broadcasting franchise," the statement read.
"We fervently urge Congress to judiciously address any issues raised against the company while taking serious account of the bedrock issues of media freedom and free enterprise, which allow businesses to flourish for the overall welfare of our economy and our people," it added.
Earlier this month, the government — led by Solicitor General Jose Calida — filed a quo warranto petition against the broadcast network and asked the Supreme Court to drop the franchise of ABS-CBN Corp. and its subsidiary ABS-CBN Convergence Inc.
"We want to put an end to what we discovered to be highly abusive practices of ABS-CBN benefitting a greedy few at the expense of millions of its loyal subscribers. These practices have gone unnoticed or were disregarded for years," Calida said in a statement.
ABS-CBN lost P258.593 million in market capitalization after trading closed that day.
The petition was filed even as the company's franchise granted by Congress was set to expire in March, with bills seeking to renew the franchise still pending.
For its part, ABS-CBN maintained that it did not violate the law, contrary to claims made by Calida, slamming the petition as "ill-timed."
Malacañang has since denied having a hand in the government's petition, with presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo saying President Rodrigo Duterte had "nothing to do" with the legal action.
Duterte had consistently threatened to oppose the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise, as he claimed the network did not air political advertisements during the 2016 election campaign which were already paid for.
Meanwhile, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday claimed the issue with the ABS-CBN franchise is not about press freedom, as he said ABS-CBN supposedly took sides and favored certain candidates during the 2010 and 2016 elections. —KBK, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/726384/biz-groups-call-for-balanced-fair-timely-deliberation-on-abs-cbn-franchise/story/
In a joint statement, the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA), the Makati Business Club (MBC), and the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) urged Congress to take into consideration freedom of the press.
"We the undersigned business organizations express our strong support for a balanced, fair, and timely consideration of the bills filed by several lawmakers on the renewal of ABS-CBN Corporation's broadcasting franchise," the statement read.
"We fervently urge Congress to judiciously address any issues raised against the company while taking serious account of the bedrock issues of media freedom and free enterprise, which allow businesses to flourish for the overall welfare of our economy and our people," it added.
Earlier this month, the government — led by Solicitor General Jose Calida — filed a quo warranto petition against the broadcast network and asked the Supreme Court to drop the franchise of ABS-CBN Corp. and its subsidiary ABS-CBN Convergence Inc.
"We want to put an end to what we discovered to be highly abusive practices of ABS-CBN benefitting a greedy few at the expense of millions of its loyal subscribers. These practices have gone unnoticed or were disregarded for years," Calida said in a statement.
ABS-CBN lost P258.593 million in market capitalization after trading closed that day.
The petition was filed even as the company's franchise granted by Congress was set to expire in March, with bills seeking to renew the franchise still pending.
For its part, ABS-CBN maintained that it did not violate the law, contrary to claims made by Calida, slamming the petition as "ill-timed."
Malacañang has since denied having a hand in the government's petition, with presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo saying President Rodrigo Duterte had "nothing to do" with the legal action.
Duterte had consistently threatened to oppose the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise, as he claimed the network did not air political advertisements during the 2016 election campaign which were already paid for.
Meanwhile, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday claimed the issue with the ABS-CBN franchise is not about press freedom, as he said ABS-CBN supposedly took sides and favored certain candidates during the 2010 and 2016 elections. —KBK, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/726384/biz-groups-call-for-balanced-fair-timely-deliberation-on-abs-cbn-franchise/story/
Quo warranto plea vs ABS-CBN franchise catches attention of int'l media
It's not just in the Philippines where the quo warranto petition seeking to revoke ABS-CBN's franchise and prevent it from airing is being talked about.
The discussion has reached other countries, with the move seen as President Rodrigo Duterte's worst attack against the press.
International broadcaster Al Jazeera English devoted a whole episode of its Inside Story program to the issue, with former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, UP journalism professor Danilo Arao and political analyst Richard Heydarian facing off.
Roque and Arao clashed on the issue of whether the President was behind the filing of the petition before the Supreme Court.
Roque believes the quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN will not succeed, calling it a form of prior restraint which is a violation of press freedom.
"My prediction is, because it is in the nature of prior restraint, it will not prosper. The jurisprudence in the Philippines recognizes completely freedom of the press. Governments may try to suppress it but the courts will never uphold any infringement on freedom of the press," he said.
Arao, however, noted: "We have to ask ourselves who controls the Supreme Court right now. On paper, we have laws protecting freedom of speech and other basic freedoms. We may be the freest press in Asia, or one of the freest in Asia but we’re one of the most dangerous places in the world to practice journalism."
Arao said other media organizations in the Philippines also experience harassment and face multiple cases, which Rappler CEO Maria Ressa believes are part of the Philippine government's attempt to control the media.
"Anytime someone wants to control the government, the first step is to control the media," Ressa said.
"This is the 21st Century version of that. But what’s so interesting is you don’t even need to declare Martial Law to try to control media. You hang a Damocles’ sword over owners, their families, you threaten them with legal cases and you can control them this way."
ANC, February 18, 2020
https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/02/18/20/quo-warranto-plea-vs-abs-cbn-franchise-catches-attention-of-intl-media
The discussion has reached other countries, with the move seen as President Rodrigo Duterte's worst attack against the press.
International broadcaster Al Jazeera English devoted a whole episode of its Inside Story program to the issue, with former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, UP journalism professor Danilo Arao and political analyst Richard Heydarian facing off.
Roque and Arao clashed on the issue of whether the President was behind the filing of the petition before the Supreme Court.
Roque believes the quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN will not succeed, calling it a form of prior restraint which is a violation of press freedom.
"My prediction is, because it is in the nature of prior restraint, it will not prosper. The jurisprudence in the Philippines recognizes completely freedom of the press. Governments may try to suppress it but the courts will never uphold any infringement on freedom of the press," he said.
Arao, however, noted: "We have to ask ourselves who controls the Supreme Court right now. On paper, we have laws protecting freedom of speech and other basic freedoms. We may be the freest press in Asia, or one of the freest in Asia but we’re one of the most dangerous places in the world to practice journalism."
Arao said other media organizations in the Philippines also experience harassment and face multiple cases, which Rappler CEO Maria Ressa believes are part of the Philippine government's attempt to control the media.
"Anytime someone wants to control the government, the first step is to control the media," Ressa said.
"This is the 21st Century version of that. But what’s so interesting is you don’t even need to declare Martial Law to try to control media. You hang a Damocles’ sword over owners, their families, you threaten them with legal cases and you can control them this way."
ANC, February 18, 2020
https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/02/18/20/quo-warranto-plea-vs-abs-cbn-franchise-catches-attention-of-intl-media
‘Shaping national consciousness:’ TUA comms dep't urges Congress to renew ABS-CBN franchise
The media and communications department of Trinity University of Asia (TUA) urged Congress on Monday to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN.
“ABS-CBN has been in our national consciousness for many decades now, and this network has contributed in the shaping of the values and aspirations of the Trinitian Community as well as the Filipino citizenry through its programs, shows, and reporting. A national life without ABS-CBN, or an individual life in the absence of this network, is a dark age of the mind and spirit,” the school department said in a statement.
“We urge the members of the House of Representatives, who by democratic definition, are our supposed representatives, to speak for our desires and aspirations, as well as our concerns in all aspects of our social and political life, to act reasonably and dignified in representing our fight for democracy, as well as all the tenets of our freedoms as enshrined in our Bill of Rights as citizens and builders of this nation,” it added.
Read the full statement here:
Online news website Rappler, the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP), and the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines have backed ABS-CBN after Solicitor General Jose Calida sought to void the company's franchise via a "quo warranto" petition.
It has also gained support from reporters covering Malacañang, the defense, police, the Senate and business beats.
In seeking to invalidate ABS-CBN's franchise, the government's top lawyer, Jose Calida, accused the company of "highly abusive practices."
ABS-CBN, however, insists it is compliant with all the laws governing its franchise and has secured necessary permits for its business operations.
"We reiterate that everything we do is in accordance with the law. We did not violate the law. This case appears to be an attempt to deprive Filipinos of the services of ABS-CBN," the company said.
President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly pledged he would stop the broadcast operations of ABS-CBN, which drew his anger for allegedly refusing to air his campaign ad during the 2016 presidential campaign.
In December, Duterte even urged the owners of ABS-CBN to just sell the company, saying he would "see to it that you're out." But Malacañang on Tuesday distanced itself from Calida's moves, saying "the President has nothing to do with it.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/18/20/shaping-national-consciousness-tua-comms-dept-urges-congress-to-renew-abs-cbn-franchise
“ABS-CBN has been in our national consciousness for many decades now, and this network has contributed in the shaping of the values and aspirations of the Trinitian Community as well as the Filipino citizenry through its programs, shows, and reporting. A national life without ABS-CBN, or an individual life in the absence of this network, is a dark age of the mind and spirit,” the school department said in a statement.
“We urge the members of the House of Representatives, who by democratic definition, are our supposed representatives, to speak for our desires and aspirations, as well as our concerns in all aspects of our social and political life, to act reasonably and dignified in representing our fight for democracy, as well as all the tenets of our freedoms as enshrined in our Bill of Rights as citizens and builders of this nation,” it added.
Read the full statement here:
Online news website Rappler, the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP), and the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines have backed ABS-CBN after Solicitor General Jose Calida sought to void the company's franchise via a "quo warranto" petition.
It has also gained support from reporters covering Malacañang, the defense, police, the Senate and business beats.
In seeking to invalidate ABS-CBN's franchise, the government's top lawyer, Jose Calida, accused the company of "highly abusive practices."
ABS-CBN, however, insists it is compliant with all the laws governing its franchise and has secured necessary permits for its business operations.
"We reiterate that everything we do is in accordance with the law. We did not violate the law. This case appears to be an attempt to deprive Filipinos of the services of ABS-CBN," the company said.
President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly pledged he would stop the broadcast operations of ABS-CBN, which drew his anger for allegedly refusing to air his campaign ad during the 2016 presidential campaign.
In December, Duterte even urged the owners of ABS-CBN to just sell the company, saying he would "see to it that you're out." But Malacañang on Tuesday distanced itself from Calida's moves, saying "the President has nothing to do with it.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/18/20/shaping-national-consciousness-tua-comms-dept-urges-congress-to-renew-abs-cbn-franchise
Drilon seeks extension of ABS-CBN franchise
SENATE Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Monday filed a joint resolution that seeks to extend the franchise of ABS-CBN broadcast network up to 2022.
The senator filed Senate Joint Resolution 11 amid uncertainties on the fate of the network, whose 25-year franchise expires on March 30, 2020.
Drilon said the Senate and House of Representatives need more time to review the application for renewal of the corporation’s franchise.
He stressed that Congress needs to review, assess and determine if the network’s franchise should be renewed.
He noted that there are only 12 session days left before Congress adjourns on Mar. 14, 2020.
Drilon moved to extend the validity of the franchise of ABS-CBN until Dec. 31, 2022.
“On March 30, 2020, more than 11,000 employees will go home jobless and millions of viewers will be affected if we do not act on this resolution immediately. I therefore urge for the immediate passage of this resolution,” he said.
On February 10, Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court to forfeit the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN Corp. and its subsidiary, ABS-CBN Convergence, for alleged violations of the terms and conditions of its franchise.
Meanwhile, lawmakers at the House reiterated their call to expedite the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, saying there is no guarantee that the network would continue operations after its franchise expires.
Eleven bills seeking to renew the network’s franchise are pending at the House.
“When the ABS-CBN franchises expire, there is nothing that would prevent any regulatory agency of the government from knocking on the gates of ABS-CBN to serve notices of closure, or cease and desist orders on or immediately after the expiration,” Rep. Lawrence Fortun said.
“Instead of giving ABS-CBN an illusory remedy, the House of Representatives must expedite the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, which has long been pending in the House committee on legislative franchises,” Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said.
Lagman and Fortun authored House Resolution 639 “urging the Committee on Legislative Franchises to report out without further delay for plenary action” the pending bills.
Provisional authority
Both lawmakers said there is no legal anchor or basis for NTC to grant a provisional permit.
“After the franchise expires, it is now entirely within the prerogative of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to issue or not to issue any provisional authority to ABS-CBN,” Fortun said.
Lagman, meanwhile, said the NTC cannot “resurrect” an expired legislative franchise by granting a “provisional authority to operate.”
Joint Concurrent Resolution
Meanwhile, Fortun urged Congress to be clear “clear and categorical in its intention” to allow the extended operation of ABS-CBN pending franchise renewal.
“A House Resolution or, better still, a Joint Concurrent Resolution of both the House and the Senate urging the NTC and other regulatory agencies to give ABS-CBN the provisional authority to continue operating while its application for franchise renewal is still pending in the House, will be in order,” he said.
Cebu City First District Rep. Raul del Mar also prodded Congress to do its job by hearing the ABS-CBN renewal despite the quo warranto petition before the high court. WITH DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/02/18/news/headlines/drilon-seeks-extension-of-abs-cbn-franchise-2/688089/
The senator filed Senate Joint Resolution 11 amid uncertainties on the fate of the network, whose 25-year franchise expires on March 30, 2020.
Drilon said the Senate and House of Representatives need more time to review the application for renewal of the corporation’s franchise.
He stressed that Congress needs to review, assess and determine if the network’s franchise should be renewed.
He noted that there are only 12 session days left before Congress adjourns on Mar. 14, 2020.
Drilon moved to extend the validity of the franchise of ABS-CBN until Dec. 31, 2022.
“On March 30, 2020, more than 11,000 employees will go home jobless and millions of viewers will be affected if we do not act on this resolution immediately. I therefore urge for the immediate passage of this resolution,” he said.
On February 10, Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court to forfeit the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN Corp. and its subsidiary, ABS-CBN Convergence, for alleged violations of the terms and conditions of its franchise.
Meanwhile, lawmakers at the House reiterated their call to expedite the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, saying there is no guarantee that the network would continue operations after its franchise expires.
Eleven bills seeking to renew the network’s franchise are pending at the House.
“When the ABS-CBN franchises expire, there is nothing that would prevent any regulatory agency of the government from knocking on the gates of ABS-CBN to serve notices of closure, or cease and desist orders on or immediately after the expiration,” Rep. Lawrence Fortun said.
“Instead of giving ABS-CBN an illusory remedy, the House of Representatives must expedite the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, which has long been pending in the House committee on legislative franchises,” Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said.
Lagman and Fortun authored House Resolution 639 “urging the Committee on Legislative Franchises to report out without further delay for plenary action” the pending bills.
Provisional authority
Both lawmakers said there is no legal anchor or basis for NTC to grant a provisional permit.
“After the franchise expires, it is now entirely within the prerogative of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to issue or not to issue any provisional authority to ABS-CBN,” Fortun said.
Lagman, meanwhile, said the NTC cannot “resurrect” an expired legislative franchise by granting a “provisional authority to operate.”
Joint Concurrent Resolution
Meanwhile, Fortun urged Congress to be clear “clear and categorical in its intention” to allow the extended operation of ABS-CBN pending franchise renewal.
“A House Resolution or, better still, a Joint Concurrent Resolution of both the House and the Senate urging the NTC and other regulatory agencies to give ABS-CBN the provisional authority to continue operating while its application for franchise renewal is still pending in the House, will be in order,” he said.
Cebu City First District Rep. Raul del Mar also prodded Congress to do its job by hearing the ABS-CBN renewal despite the quo warranto petition before the high court. WITH DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/02/18/news/headlines/drilon-seeks-extension-of-abs-cbn-franchise-2/688089/
Post ABS-CBN franchise scenario
Barring a miracle, the TV and radio stations of media giant ABS-CBN would sign off for the last time at the strike of midnight on March 30.
Although some lawmakers say it can continue to operate until the adjournment of Congress in 2022 despite the expiration of its franchise, it is doubtful if it will take that course of action.
In the first place, that “continuing validity” theory does not have solid legal backing that ABS-CBN can rely on to justify its broadcasting activities after March 30.
Besides, its executives may be sued for violation of our telecommunications laws on the operation of media facilities without appropriate license or permit.
There is no dearth in our country of publicity-hungry lawyers who would do that, so why take the risk?
Come that fateful day, some 6,000 regular employees, 900 non regular staff and 3,000 talents of ABS-CBN may find themselves out of job.
For the regular and nonregular employees, the question of whether or not they are entitled to separation pay would invariably arise.
Under existing regulations, the closure of a business establishment due to the installation of labor-saving devices, redundancy, retrenchment to prevent losses, or closing or cessation of operation entitle laid off employees to that benefit.
It would be difficult for ABS-CBN to invoke serious business losses to excuse the payment of separation pay considering that, as of end of September last year, it had a net income of P2.27 billion, which represents a 53-percent increase for the same period in 2018.
Neither can it claim that the expiration of its franchise equates to “closing or cessation of operation” because that would not result to the shutdown of the Kapamilya network.The corporate personality of its owner, ABS-CBN Corp., will remain intact and outstanding despite the nonrenewal of its franchise.
Although of immense value, the franchise is only one of its multimillion-peso assets and its loss does not prevent it from engaging in commercial activities outside of radio and TV broadcasts.
To ABS-CBN’s credit, it had the foresight to look beyond radio and TV broadcasts as sources of revenue.
It has diversified to other businesses, such as TV content production, movies and digital media, through its affiliate and subsidiary companies in the Philippines and elsewhere in the world.
Bear in mind that content plays a significant role in the success of any media outfit.
The most sophisticated or state-of-the-art broadcast facilities would be useless unless they have the material or content that can attract viewership from its market. And when it does, advertisers would not be far behind.
Judging from the high viewership of ABS-CBN’s prime-time TV offerings, it is apparent the Kapamilya network has proven its expertise in this field.
Through its digital or internet-based facilities, ABS-CBN has been able to deliver content to its target audience, in particular millennial's who get their dose of news and entertainment from mobile phones, tablets and other similar gizmos.
With the use of Wi-Fi and other broadband techniques, ABS-CBN can continue to make its content available to the public and earn advertisement revenues despite the loss of its franchise.
For now, the revenue stream from digital media may be small compared to that of TV broadcasts, but taking into account the gradual shift of the viewing audience from TV sets to mobile phones and similar devices, it is not farfetched that the financial gains of the latter medium would soon be on a par with its predecessor.
Considering the owners of ABS-CBN have other sources of income and would not be impoverished by the expiration of its franchise, they may choose to ride out the remaining two years or so of the Duterte administration and hope that the next political dispensation would be accommodating to them.
Shed no tears yet for ABS-CBN.
For comments, please send your email to rpalabrica@inquirer.com.ph.
https://business.inquirer.net/290722/post-abs-cbn-franchise-scenario
Although some lawmakers say it can continue to operate until the adjournment of Congress in 2022 despite the expiration of its franchise, it is doubtful if it will take that course of action.
In the first place, that “continuing validity” theory does not have solid legal backing that ABS-CBN can rely on to justify its broadcasting activities after March 30.
Besides, its executives may be sued for violation of our telecommunications laws on the operation of media facilities without appropriate license or permit.
There is no dearth in our country of publicity-hungry lawyers who would do that, so why take the risk?
Come that fateful day, some 6,000 regular employees, 900 non regular staff and 3,000 talents of ABS-CBN may find themselves out of job.
For the regular and nonregular employees, the question of whether or not they are entitled to separation pay would invariably arise.
Under existing regulations, the closure of a business establishment due to the installation of labor-saving devices, redundancy, retrenchment to prevent losses, or closing or cessation of operation entitle laid off employees to that benefit.
It would be difficult for ABS-CBN to invoke serious business losses to excuse the payment of separation pay considering that, as of end of September last year, it had a net income of P2.27 billion, which represents a 53-percent increase for the same period in 2018.
Neither can it claim that the expiration of its franchise equates to “closing or cessation of operation” because that would not result to the shutdown of the Kapamilya network.The corporate personality of its owner, ABS-CBN Corp., will remain intact and outstanding despite the nonrenewal of its franchise.
Although of immense value, the franchise is only one of its multimillion-peso assets and its loss does not prevent it from engaging in commercial activities outside of radio and TV broadcasts.
To ABS-CBN’s credit, it had the foresight to look beyond radio and TV broadcasts as sources of revenue.
It has diversified to other businesses, such as TV content production, movies and digital media, through its affiliate and subsidiary companies in the Philippines and elsewhere in the world.
Bear in mind that content plays a significant role in the success of any media outfit.
The most sophisticated or state-of-the-art broadcast facilities would be useless unless they have the material or content that can attract viewership from its market. And when it does, advertisers would not be far behind.
Judging from the high viewership of ABS-CBN’s prime-time TV offerings, it is apparent the Kapamilya network has proven its expertise in this field.
Through its digital or internet-based facilities, ABS-CBN has been able to deliver content to its target audience, in particular millennial's who get their dose of news and entertainment from mobile phones, tablets and other similar gizmos.
With the use of Wi-Fi and other broadband techniques, ABS-CBN can continue to make its content available to the public and earn advertisement revenues despite the loss of its franchise.
For now, the revenue stream from digital media may be small compared to that of TV broadcasts, but taking into account the gradual shift of the viewing audience from TV sets to mobile phones and similar devices, it is not farfetched that the financial gains of the latter medium would soon be on a par with its predecessor.
Considering the owners of ABS-CBN have other sources of income and would not be impoverished by the expiration of its franchise, they may choose to ride out the remaining two years or so of the Duterte administration and hope that the next political dispensation would be accommodating to them.
Shed no tears yet for ABS-CBN.
For comments, please send your email to rpalabrica@inquirer.com.ph.
https://business.inquirer.net/290722/post-abs-cbn-franchise-scenario
Senate hearing on ABS-CBN franchise set on February 27
The Senate has set the first public hearing on the renewal of the franchise of broadcasting network ABS-CBN on Feb. 27, ahead of the transmission of a counterpart bill from the House of Representatives, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said yesterday.
The hearing will be led by the Senate committee on public services, chaired by Sen. Grace Poe.
Pending discussion of the ABS-CBN franchise, Poe said traditionally, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) can issue a provisional franchise, just like what happened in the cases of giant telecommunications companies Smart and Globe.
“If I’m not mistaken, all of them, their franchises had lapsed while bills had been filed and pending before Congress, that’s why the NTC extended them, or NTC was silent about it,” she said.
The senator, however, encouraged Congress to put in writing the provisional permit of ABS-CBN.
“There are certain controversies involved here, I think, that it would be prudent for us, particularly Congress, to put in writing exactly the request to extend the validity of the license to operate while their franchise is still pending in Congress,” she said.
Poe expressed concern on the plight of the 11,000 employees of ABS-CBN if the network’s franchise is not renewed, preventing its continuous operations.
“That will be very problematic because when your franchise is cancelled, my understanding is, particularly for media, you can’t broadcast anything anymore with that frequency. So what does that mean? Blackout. On March 30 (the franchise’s expiry date), about 11,000 people will have to walk out from their jobs,” she said.
“I’m not saying that ABS-CBN is the primary source of news, it’s not that. It doesn’t mean that freedom of expression is absolutely removed, but it can also send a message that somehow, in certain cases, other media outlets might be a little bit worried about their own situation without going into details of the complaint of the quo warranto,” she added.
A month before ABS-CBN’s franchise expires, Solicitor General Jose Callida filed a quo warranto before the Supreme Court anchored on alleged violations.
Some senators maintained that the issue on franchise is the sole mandate of Congress.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon yesterday filed a joint resolution that seeks to extend the franchise of ABS-CBN up to the end of 2022, citing the need for more time for both houses of Congress to review the application for renewal of the network’s franchise.
Poe clarified that the Senate respects the mandate and authority of the House of Representatives, from where franchise bills should emanate.
She, however, said that as part of the oversight functions of the Senate, it is necessary to determine whether ABS-CBN’s franchise should be renewed or not.
Poe also said that the Senate is allowed to conduct hearings simultaneously with the House similar to the practices on the General Appropriations Bill and bills on taxes.
She, however, noted that her committee would hold the release of its report until the House submits its version to the Senate.
The senator also expressed hope that the House will immediately act on the ABS-CBN franchise before the Senate goes on recess on March 12.
Meanwhile, about 91 House members yesterday signed Resolution 639 that calls for the transfer of at least eight pending bills on the franchise renewal of broadcasting network ABS-CBN from the committee on legislative franchises to the plenary.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman spearheaded the move, along with some militant lawmakers and senior House officials, among them Reps. Doy Leachon of Oriental Mindoro, Johnny Pimentel (Surigao del Sur), Kit Belmonte (Quezon City) and Joy Tambunting (Parañaque).
The resolution wants Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, chairman of the committee on legislative franchises, to “report out without further delay for plenary action a consolidated version of eight pending bills” for the renewal of ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise.
‘No franchise, no operation’
There is no way that the NTC can issue a provisional franchise for ABS-CBN for as long as the House of Representatives did not grant a renewal of its legislative franchise, a veteran legislator clarified yesterday.
“The settled rule is no franchise, no operation,” Lagman said, citing as basis Section 16 of Republic Act 7925 or the Public Telecommunications Policy Act, which categorically states that broadcast stations must first secure a franchise before the NTC can act.
“It unequivocally provides that ‘no person shall commence or conduct the business of being a public telecommunications entity without first obtaining a franchise’,” he added, as he described such propositions (NTC provisional authority) as an “illusory remedy.”
“The NTC on its own cannot resurrect an expired legislative franchise by granting a former grantee provisional authority to operate. Only holders of a valid, existing and/or renewed franchise can apply with the NTC for a certificate of public convenience and necessity.”
Lagman then suggested that the House committee on legislative franchises under Alvarez commence and “expedite” its hearings on at least eight ABS-CBN bills pending in his committee.
Meanwhile, three more citizen groups have lent their voices to the growing chorus of objections to government’s alleged crackdown on ABS-CBN, condemning it on socio-economic, political and legal grounds.
In separate statements, Bantay Konsyumer, Kuryente, Kalsada; CitizenWatch Philippines and Democracy Watch Philippines assailed Calida’s quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN. – With Delon Porcalla
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/02/18/1994046/senate-hearing-abs-cbn-franchise-set-february-27
The hearing will be led by the Senate committee on public services, chaired by Sen. Grace Poe.
Pending discussion of the ABS-CBN franchise, Poe said traditionally, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) can issue a provisional franchise, just like what happened in the cases of giant telecommunications companies Smart and Globe.
“If I’m not mistaken, all of them, their franchises had lapsed while bills had been filed and pending before Congress, that’s why the NTC extended them, or NTC was silent about it,” she said.
The senator, however, encouraged Congress to put in writing the provisional permit of ABS-CBN.
“There are certain controversies involved here, I think, that it would be prudent for us, particularly Congress, to put in writing exactly the request to extend the validity of the license to operate while their franchise is still pending in Congress,” she said.
Poe expressed concern on the plight of the 11,000 employees of ABS-CBN if the network’s franchise is not renewed, preventing its continuous operations.
“That will be very problematic because when your franchise is cancelled, my understanding is, particularly for media, you can’t broadcast anything anymore with that frequency. So what does that mean? Blackout. On March 30 (the franchise’s expiry date), about 11,000 people will have to walk out from their jobs,” she said.
“I’m not saying that ABS-CBN is the primary source of news, it’s not that. It doesn’t mean that freedom of expression is absolutely removed, but it can also send a message that somehow, in certain cases, other media outlets might be a little bit worried about their own situation without going into details of the complaint of the quo warranto,” she added.
A month before ABS-CBN’s franchise expires, Solicitor General Jose Callida filed a quo warranto before the Supreme Court anchored on alleged violations.
Some senators maintained that the issue on franchise is the sole mandate of Congress.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon yesterday filed a joint resolution that seeks to extend the franchise of ABS-CBN up to the end of 2022, citing the need for more time for both houses of Congress to review the application for renewal of the network’s franchise.
Poe clarified that the Senate respects the mandate and authority of the House of Representatives, from where franchise bills should emanate.
She, however, said that as part of the oversight functions of the Senate, it is necessary to determine whether ABS-CBN’s franchise should be renewed or not.
Poe also said that the Senate is allowed to conduct hearings simultaneously with the House similar to the practices on the General Appropriations Bill and bills on taxes.
She, however, noted that her committee would hold the release of its report until the House submits its version to the Senate.
The senator also expressed hope that the House will immediately act on the ABS-CBN franchise before the Senate goes on recess on March 12.
Meanwhile, about 91 House members yesterday signed Resolution 639 that calls for the transfer of at least eight pending bills on the franchise renewal of broadcasting network ABS-CBN from the committee on legislative franchises to the plenary.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman spearheaded the move, along with some militant lawmakers and senior House officials, among them Reps. Doy Leachon of Oriental Mindoro, Johnny Pimentel (Surigao del Sur), Kit Belmonte (Quezon City) and Joy Tambunting (Parañaque).
The resolution wants Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, chairman of the committee on legislative franchises, to “report out without further delay for plenary action a consolidated version of eight pending bills” for the renewal of ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise.
‘No franchise, no operation’
There is no way that the NTC can issue a provisional franchise for ABS-CBN for as long as the House of Representatives did not grant a renewal of its legislative franchise, a veteran legislator clarified yesterday.
“The settled rule is no franchise, no operation,” Lagman said, citing as basis Section 16 of Republic Act 7925 or the Public Telecommunications Policy Act, which categorically states that broadcast stations must first secure a franchise before the NTC can act.
“It unequivocally provides that ‘no person shall commence or conduct the business of being a public telecommunications entity without first obtaining a franchise’,” he added, as he described such propositions (NTC provisional authority) as an “illusory remedy.”
“The NTC on its own cannot resurrect an expired legislative franchise by granting a former grantee provisional authority to operate. Only holders of a valid, existing and/or renewed franchise can apply with the NTC for a certificate of public convenience and necessity.”
Lagman then suggested that the House committee on legislative franchises under Alvarez commence and “expedite” its hearings on at least eight ABS-CBN bills pending in his committee.
Meanwhile, three more citizen groups have lent their voices to the growing chorus of objections to government’s alleged crackdown on ABS-CBN, condemning it on socio-economic, political and legal grounds.
In separate statements, Bantay Konsyumer, Kuryente, Kalsada; CitizenWatch Philippines and Democracy Watch Philippines assailed Calida’s quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN. – With Delon Porcalla
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/02/18/1994046/senate-hearing-abs-cbn-franchise-set-february-27
Cotabato City seeks exclusion from BARMM until June 30, 2022
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 17 February) – A year after it voted ‘yes’ to inclusion in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Cotabato City now wants exclusion from the BARMM until the end of the transition period on June 30, 2022.
Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi in a February 7 position paper addressed to President Rodrigo Duterte, a copy of which she sent MindaNews, asked the President to “hold in abeyance the turnover of Cotabato City to BARMM.”
At the end of her eight-page position paper, Sayadi, who campaigned for a ‘No’ vote in the January 21, 2019 plebsicite to ratify the Bangsamoro law, said they are “ardently appealing for a Status Quo until such time that the three-year transition period has been completed and the BARMM bureaucracy would have been fully operational.”
The transition period of the BARMM, which is presently governed by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), ends on June 30, 2022 when the first elected BARMM officials shall have taken their oath of office.
But lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, BARMM Minister for Local Government and concurrent BARMM spokesperson, said the inclusion of Cotabato City in the BARMM “is settled already by the Constitution and the Bangsamoro law and that is upon ratification in a plebiscite.”
“The people of Cotabato City have spoken and no one can stop that,” he told MindaNews.
Sayadi, a lawyer, told MindaNews over the weekend that they were “given extension until December 31, 2020” to maintain the status quo.
Asked who granted the “extension,” she replied in a text message on Sunday: “I was informed in Malacanang in the presence of SILG Año (Secretary of Interior and Local Government Eudardo Año). I understand he was given the order to implement it.”
MindaNews asked who gave the order and when but the mayor sent no reply.
But in her Facebook video post on Saturday night, the mayor said “Secretary Ano of DILG said hindi pa time na ilipat ang Cotabato City as of this time – i-defer muna pag-transfer sa Decenber 31, 2020” (it’s not yet time to transfer Cotabato City as of this time and the transfer would be deferred until December 31, 2020).
Mohagher Iqbal, BARMM Minister for Education and concurrent co-chair of the Inter-Governmental Relations Body (he for the BARMM, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez for the national government) told MindaNews on Monday they are not aware that a decision has been made on the appeal of Cotabato City. “We have yet to receive a copy of the decision,” he said, adding that President assured he would give a “fair decision” as the BARMM maintained that the vote of the people in the plebiscite must be respected.
President Duterte met with Sayadi and Iqbal and other BARMM officials and Cabinet Secretaries on February 4 and February 12. Duterte, according to MindaNews sources present during the meeting, asked for a legal basis for the city’s appeal.
Cotabato City voted for inclusion in the BARMM on January 21, 2019, with 36,682 in favor and 24,990 against. The mayor said then that they would file a protest, claiming threats and intimidation prevented voters who opposed inclusion in the BARMM from casting their votes. A voter filed an electoral protest.
Constitution, Bangsamoro Law, Jurisprudence
Sinarimbo explained that since the ratification, Cotabato City has been part of the BARMM but “we could not supervise and regulate because the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) field office in Cotabato City has not been transferred to the BARMM, contrary to the mandate of the Bangsamoro Organic Law which is within three months” form the organization of the BTA.
“It is now more than three months and we must comply with the provision of the law,” the BARRM said, citing Article 16, Section 11 of the Bangsamoro law.
in its seven-page position paper submitted to President Duterte, dated Februrary10.
The BARMM took over from the ARMM on February 26, 2019 but it was formally inaugurated on March 29, 2019, graced by President Duterte. Three months from March 29 would have been June 29, 2019.
Thus far, only the Department of Transportation and Communication and, partly the Department of Public Works and Highways, have complied with the provision of the law.
The position paper argued that the BARMM is a constitutional mandate that must be obeyed and the territorial jurisdiction of the BARMM, including Cotabato City, “took effect upon ratification of Republic Act No. 11054.”
RA 11054 is the Organic Law for the BARMM, ratified in January last year by the then five-province, two-city Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, 63 villages in six North Cotabato towns, and Cotabato City, where the seat of the BARMM and its predecessor, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is. Sulu voted against inclusion but is still part of the BARMM because the law provides that the ARMM votes as one geographical area.
Aside from the Constitution and the Bangsamoro law, the BARMM also cited jursiprudence, reiterating that its creation “contemplates the grant of political autonomy and not just adminisitrative autonomy.”
It also cited the case of Disomangcop vs Datumanong where the Supreme Court ruled that regional autonomy is the “granting of basic internal government powers to the people of a particular area or region with least control and supervision from the central government.”
The BARMM said that based on RA 11054, “ratification in a plebiscite is the operative fact that determines the establishment of the territorial jurisdiction and no further act is necessary for the inclusion of provinces, cities and geographical areas in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.”
Status Quo
Sayadi’s position paper claimed as legal basis for the President to consider their appeal is that implementation of the law is “inherently executive in nature” and the President has the “full power” to hold in abeyance the turnover of the city to the BARMM.
She also cited the general supervision powers of the President in the Constitution, the Local Government Code, and the Bangsamoro Law’s Article VI which provides that the President shall exercise general supervision over the Bangsamoro Government “to ensure that the laws are faithfully executed.”
Sayadi claimed her city would be placed in a “critical and difficult situation” and that the momentum of the city for progress and development “will be unduly derailed” if they would be under BARMM.
She cited several issues to push for status quo until 2022, among them, that the turnover of the city to BARMM is “not urgent.. not exigent.. not necessary as of this time,” claiming the BARMM has yet to pass its Administrative Code; that the system of governance in the BARMM is parliamentary and the BARMM is still “learning its craft.”
The mayor also claimed that after a year, “BARMM has no significant achievement,” that it has “no transition plan” and cited other issues pointing to the alleged incompetence of the BARMM and that the turnover of Cotabato City to BARMM now “will imperil the development and growth and bring confusion in Intergovernmental Relations of the City.”
She also claimed peace and order “would be seriously sacrificed,” adding the incidence of crimes has “significantly increased” since the BARMM was set up and that investors are “withdrawing their investments because of this perceived threat to peace and political stability.”
She cited four cases pending in the Supreme Court – three on the issue of constitutionality of the Bangsamoro law filed by Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan vs. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Philippine Constitution Association vs Senate, and Congressman Dimaporo vs Commission on Elections, and a petition for nullification of the plebiscite results in Cotabato City (Amil P. Sula vs Comelec).
Sinarimbo said the Administrative Code is “not a requirement for the inclusion of Cotabato City in the BARMM or the transfer of national agencies located in Cotabato whose functions have been transferred to the Bangsamoro.”
He said the Bangsamoro law provides that “subsisting regional laws, including the Administrative Code, continue to operate unless revoked by the Parliament.”
Still with Region 12?
Sayadi’s reference to a “status quo” is apparently for Cotabato City to remain with Region 12 where it was a part of before last year’s plebiscite on the Bangsamoro law.
But is Cotabato City still part of Region 12?
Teresita Socorro Ramos, Regional Development Council-12 (RDC-12) acting chair told MindaNews Monday that the region’s highest policy-making body considers Cotabato City already part of the BARMM.
“Following the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, RDC-12 reorganized and no longer includes Cotabato City as its member. Since then, we have not been inviting Cotabato City to attend RDC-12 meetings,” Ramos, also the director of the National Economic and Development Authority-12, told MindaNews in a telephone inteiew.
She, however, said that several national government line agencies in Region 12 that have no counterpart in the BARMM as yet, continue to include Cotabato City in their budget items “so as to avoid stunting the growth of the city by depriving it of budget.”
Ramos sad the budget allotted by national government line agencies in Region 12 “can be turned over to the BARMM once the new Bangsamoro region has completed its transition process.” (Carolyn O. Arguillas with a report by Bong Sarmiento / MindaNews)
https://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2020/02/cotabato-city-seeks-exclusion-from-barmm-until-june-30-2022/
Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi in a February 7 position paper addressed to President Rodrigo Duterte, a copy of which she sent MindaNews, asked the President to “hold in abeyance the turnover of Cotabato City to BARMM.”
At the end of her eight-page position paper, Sayadi, who campaigned for a ‘No’ vote in the January 21, 2019 plebsicite to ratify the Bangsamoro law, said they are “ardently appealing for a Status Quo until such time that the three-year transition period has been completed and the BARMM bureaucracy would have been fully operational.”
The transition period of the BARMM, which is presently governed by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), ends on June 30, 2022 when the first elected BARMM officials shall have taken their oath of office.
But lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, BARMM Minister for Local Government and concurrent BARMM spokesperson, said the inclusion of Cotabato City in the BARMM “is settled already by the Constitution and the Bangsamoro law and that is upon ratification in a plebiscite.”
“The people of Cotabato City have spoken and no one can stop that,” he told MindaNews.
Sayadi, a lawyer, told MindaNews over the weekend that they were “given extension until December 31, 2020” to maintain the status quo.
Asked who granted the “extension,” she replied in a text message on Sunday: “I was informed in Malacanang in the presence of SILG Año (Secretary of Interior and Local Government Eudardo Año). I understand he was given the order to implement it.”
MindaNews asked who gave the order and when but the mayor sent no reply.
But in her Facebook video post on Saturday night, the mayor said “Secretary Ano of DILG said hindi pa time na ilipat ang Cotabato City as of this time – i-defer muna pag-transfer sa Decenber 31, 2020” (it’s not yet time to transfer Cotabato City as of this time and the transfer would be deferred until December 31, 2020).
Mohagher Iqbal, BARMM Minister for Education and concurrent co-chair of the Inter-Governmental Relations Body (he for the BARMM, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez for the national government) told MindaNews on Monday they are not aware that a decision has been made on the appeal of Cotabato City. “We have yet to receive a copy of the decision,” he said, adding that President assured he would give a “fair decision” as the BARMM maintained that the vote of the people in the plebiscite must be respected.
President Duterte met with Sayadi and Iqbal and other BARMM officials and Cabinet Secretaries on February 4 and February 12. Duterte, according to MindaNews sources present during the meeting, asked for a legal basis for the city’s appeal.
Cotabato City voted for inclusion in the BARMM on January 21, 2019, with 36,682 in favor and 24,990 against. The mayor said then that they would file a protest, claiming threats and intimidation prevented voters who opposed inclusion in the BARMM from casting their votes. A voter filed an electoral protest.
Constitution, Bangsamoro Law, Jurisprudence
Sinarimbo explained that since the ratification, Cotabato City has been part of the BARMM but “we could not supervise and regulate because the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) field office in Cotabato City has not been transferred to the BARMM, contrary to the mandate of the Bangsamoro Organic Law which is within three months” form the organization of the BTA.
“It is now more than three months and we must comply with the provision of the law,” the BARRM said, citing Article 16, Section 11 of the Bangsamoro law.
in its seven-page position paper submitted to President Duterte, dated Februrary10.
The BARMM took over from the ARMM on February 26, 2019 but it was formally inaugurated on March 29, 2019, graced by President Duterte. Three months from March 29 would have been June 29, 2019.
Thus far, only the Department of Transportation and Communication and, partly the Department of Public Works and Highways, have complied with the provision of the law.
The position paper argued that the BARMM is a constitutional mandate that must be obeyed and the territorial jurisdiction of the BARMM, including Cotabato City, “took effect upon ratification of Republic Act No. 11054.”
RA 11054 is the Organic Law for the BARMM, ratified in January last year by the then five-province, two-city Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, 63 villages in six North Cotabato towns, and Cotabato City, where the seat of the BARMM and its predecessor, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is. Sulu voted against inclusion but is still part of the BARMM because the law provides that the ARMM votes as one geographical area.
Aside from the Constitution and the Bangsamoro law, the BARMM also cited jursiprudence, reiterating that its creation “contemplates the grant of political autonomy and not just adminisitrative autonomy.”
It also cited the case of Disomangcop vs Datumanong where the Supreme Court ruled that regional autonomy is the “granting of basic internal government powers to the people of a particular area or region with least control and supervision from the central government.”
The BARMM said that based on RA 11054, “ratification in a plebiscite is the operative fact that determines the establishment of the territorial jurisdiction and no further act is necessary for the inclusion of provinces, cities and geographical areas in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.”
Status Quo
Sayadi’s position paper claimed as legal basis for the President to consider their appeal is that implementation of the law is “inherently executive in nature” and the President has the “full power” to hold in abeyance the turnover of the city to the BARMM.
She also cited the general supervision powers of the President in the Constitution, the Local Government Code, and the Bangsamoro Law’s Article VI which provides that the President shall exercise general supervision over the Bangsamoro Government “to ensure that the laws are faithfully executed.”
Sayadi claimed her city would be placed in a “critical and difficult situation” and that the momentum of the city for progress and development “will be unduly derailed” if they would be under BARMM.
She cited several issues to push for status quo until 2022, among them, that the turnover of the city to BARMM is “not urgent.. not exigent.. not necessary as of this time,” claiming the BARMM has yet to pass its Administrative Code; that the system of governance in the BARMM is parliamentary and the BARMM is still “learning its craft.”
The mayor also claimed that after a year, “BARMM has no significant achievement,” that it has “no transition plan” and cited other issues pointing to the alleged incompetence of the BARMM and that the turnover of Cotabato City to BARMM now “will imperil the development and growth and bring confusion in Intergovernmental Relations of the City.”
She also claimed peace and order “would be seriously sacrificed,” adding the incidence of crimes has “significantly increased” since the BARMM was set up and that investors are “withdrawing their investments because of this perceived threat to peace and political stability.”
She cited four cases pending in the Supreme Court – three on the issue of constitutionality of the Bangsamoro law filed by Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan vs. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Philippine Constitution Association vs Senate, and Congressman Dimaporo vs Commission on Elections, and a petition for nullification of the plebiscite results in Cotabato City (Amil P. Sula vs Comelec).
Sinarimbo said the Administrative Code is “not a requirement for the inclusion of Cotabato City in the BARMM or the transfer of national agencies located in Cotabato whose functions have been transferred to the Bangsamoro.”
He said the Bangsamoro law provides that “subsisting regional laws, including the Administrative Code, continue to operate unless revoked by the Parliament.”
Still with Region 12?
Sayadi’s reference to a “status quo” is apparently for Cotabato City to remain with Region 12 where it was a part of before last year’s plebiscite on the Bangsamoro law.
But is Cotabato City still part of Region 12?
Teresita Socorro Ramos, Regional Development Council-12 (RDC-12) acting chair told MindaNews Monday that the region’s highest policy-making body considers Cotabato City already part of the BARMM.
“Following the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, RDC-12 reorganized and no longer includes Cotabato City as its member. Since then, we have not been inviting Cotabato City to attend RDC-12 meetings,” Ramos, also the director of the National Economic and Development Authority-12, told MindaNews in a telephone inteiew.
She, however, said that several national government line agencies in Region 12 that have no counterpart in the BARMM as yet, continue to include Cotabato City in their budget items “so as to avoid stunting the growth of the city by depriving it of budget.”
Ramos sad the budget allotted by national government line agencies in Region 12 “can be turned over to the BARMM once the new Bangsamoro region has completed its transition process.” (Carolyn O. Arguillas with a report by Bong Sarmiento / MindaNews)
https://www.mindanews.com/peace-process/2020/02/cotabato-city-seeks-exclusion-from-barmm-until-june-30-2022/
Monday, February 17, 2020
Franchise renewal not proper forum to settle editorial issues vs ABS-CBN - watchdog
Personal grievances of lawmakers over ABS-CBN's editorial coverage should not be used to settle a score against the network's bid for a fresh legislative franchise, a global watchdog said Monday.
"It's not the job of Congress, of the Senate to try to determine whether ABS-CBN, for instance, has covered, you know, issues fairly. It's not their job," Carlos Conde, Asia researcher of the New York-based Human Rights Watch, told ANC's "Headstart."
"The job of the franchise committee is to extend the franchise based on their assessment, or the NTC [National Telecommunications Commission], the government's assessment of ABS-CBN's conduct directly relating to the franchise," he added.
Some 11 bills seeking an extension of ABS-CBN's franchise, which is set to expire on March 30, 2020, remain pending in Congress.
The public should be the one to decide if ABS-CBN, which operates free TV Channel 2 and radio DZMM, had been fair in its editorial coverage.
"To try to use these complaints, no matter how valid they are, to try to influence the issuance of the franchise, that's what makes it really egregious. That's what makes it really problematic," Conde said.
Threatening to block the franchise renewal of the media giant by deferring committee hearings and filing a quo warranto petition to invalidate its license, which Conde considers a one-two punch move by the government, is an attack on press freedom.
"Ultimately, this issue is about how the public will support press freedom. It's non-negotiable. Either you have it or you don't. People say in the Philippines you can still have press freedom, which is true. Anybody can say anything in this milieu right now," Conde said.
He added, "But they are not talking about what happens after you said that. What happens after you are critical. Look what happened to [news website] Rappler. What happens when you do your job properly, look what happens to ABS-CBN. What happens when you criticize a mayor, governor or drug lord. You look at how many journalists in the provinces have been killed in the past for how many years."
Conde warned that ABS-CBN and its thousands of employees who may stand to lose their livelihoods should prepare for the worst.
"Given the popularity of this President, given the fact his party controls the Congress, the possibilities are endless for this government to shut down ABS-CBN," he said.
He added, "The government has shown, the Solicitor General has shown, they have the capacity and the willpower to try to bend the law according to their wishes. I'm sorry to say they're gonna be doing that in the case of ABS-CBN."
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/17/20/franchise-renewal-not-proper-forum-to-settle-editorial-issues-vs-abs-cbn-watchdog
"It's not the job of Congress, of the Senate to try to determine whether ABS-CBN, for instance, has covered, you know, issues fairly. It's not their job," Carlos Conde, Asia researcher of the New York-based Human Rights Watch, told ANC's "Headstart."
"The job of the franchise committee is to extend the franchise based on their assessment, or the NTC [National Telecommunications Commission], the government's assessment of ABS-CBN's conduct directly relating to the franchise," he added.
Some 11 bills seeking an extension of ABS-CBN's franchise, which is set to expire on March 30, 2020, remain pending in Congress.
The public should be the one to decide if ABS-CBN, which operates free TV Channel 2 and radio DZMM, had been fair in its editorial coverage.
"To try to use these complaints, no matter how valid they are, to try to influence the issuance of the franchise, that's what makes it really egregious. That's what makes it really problematic," Conde said.
Threatening to block the franchise renewal of the media giant by deferring committee hearings and filing a quo warranto petition to invalidate its license, which Conde considers a one-two punch move by the government, is an attack on press freedom.
"Ultimately, this issue is about how the public will support press freedom. It's non-negotiable. Either you have it or you don't. People say in the Philippines you can still have press freedom, which is true. Anybody can say anything in this milieu right now," Conde said.
He added, "But they are not talking about what happens after you said that. What happens after you are critical. Look what happened to [news website] Rappler. What happens when you do your job properly, look what happens to ABS-CBN. What happens when you criticize a mayor, governor or drug lord. You look at how many journalists in the provinces have been killed in the past for how many years."
Conde warned that ABS-CBN and its thousands of employees who may stand to lose their livelihoods should prepare for the worst.
"Given the popularity of this President, given the fact his party controls the Congress, the possibilities are endless for this government to shut down ABS-CBN," he said.
He added, "The government has shown, the Solicitor General has shown, they have the capacity and the willpower to try to bend the law according to their wishes. I'm sorry to say they're gonna be doing that in the case of ABS-CBN."
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/17/20/franchise-renewal-not-proper-forum-to-settle-editorial-issues-vs-abs-cbn-watchdog
At least 91 solons signed reso for House panel action on ABS-CBN franchise bills —Lagman
By ERWIN COLCOL, GMA News
At least 91 congressmen have already signed the resolution urging the House Committee on Legislative Franchises to immediately act on the pending bills seeking to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN Corporation, Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said Monday.
In House Resolution 639, the House legislative franchises panel is urged to "report out without further delay for plenary action" a consolidated version of the 11 pending bills proposing for the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise for another 25 years.
Lagman, in a press conference, said eight of the 91 lawmakers who signed the resolution are deputy speakers, with another one is expected to sign within the day.
A total of 21 committee chairpersons have also signed the resolution, 12 are members of the Committee on Rules, and 65 are members of the so-called "Supermajority" bloc, he added.
Lagman also said that he would likewise endorse a motion to discharge the pending bills from the House legislative franchises panel if there are still no hearings to deliberate them.
"I don't want to rock the boat in the House, but if the foot-dragging would continue, then I would endorse that because the number of signatories to the resolution is more than the required one-fifth of the membership of the House to move to discharge," he said.
"What is needed is only 60, one-fifth of 302 or 303 is 60.4. Yung 91 is way above the requisite of one-fifth," he added.
According to the resolution, the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise is "inextricably" linked to the exercise of press freedom, but none of the 11 bills calling for its renewal have been acted upon by the Committee on Legislative Franchises and no single hearing has been held "possibly due to President Duterte's object to subject renewal."
"The freedom of the press is corollary to the people's right to information and the decimation of press freedom amounts to the demise of the people's right to know," the resolution read.
"It is of critical immediacy for the leadership and membership of the House of Representatives to uphold and respect the freedom of the press as an indispensable component of the freedom of expression and free speech," it added.
House Committee on Legislative Franchises vice chairman Tonypet Albano, however, assured that ABS-CBN will have its "time and day" at the chamber for the deliberation of the measures seeking for the renewal of its franchise.
"There will be a proper time and timing for ABS-CBN to be heard in the Franchise committee with the intentions of having a thorough, fair and honest-to-good hearing," he said.
"We intend to give ABS-CBN its intended 'time and day' to answer all the critics, and to debate thoroughly on the merits of the case at hand, in order to make sure that the committee report is not only fair, but good for all stakeholders," he added.
Albano also said that although ABS-CBN's franchise is expiring on March 30, Congress has enough time to discuss it within the whole term of the 18th Congress, up to June 30, 2022, due to the pendency of the bills seeking for the renewal of its franchise. —LDF, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/726287/at-least-91-solons-signed-reso-for-house-panel-action-on-abs-cbn-franchise-bills-lagman/story/
At least 91 congressmen have already signed the resolution urging the House Committee on Legislative Franchises to immediately act on the pending bills seeking to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN Corporation, Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said Monday.
In House Resolution 639, the House legislative franchises panel is urged to "report out without further delay for plenary action" a consolidated version of the 11 pending bills proposing for the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise for another 25 years.
Lagman, in a press conference, said eight of the 91 lawmakers who signed the resolution are deputy speakers, with another one is expected to sign within the day.
A total of 21 committee chairpersons have also signed the resolution, 12 are members of the Committee on Rules, and 65 are members of the so-called "Supermajority" bloc, he added.
Lagman also said that he would likewise endorse a motion to discharge the pending bills from the House legislative franchises panel if there are still no hearings to deliberate them.
"I don't want to rock the boat in the House, but if the foot-dragging would continue, then I would endorse that because the number of signatories to the resolution is more than the required one-fifth of the membership of the House to move to discharge," he said.
"What is needed is only 60, one-fifth of 302 or 303 is 60.4. Yung 91 is way above the requisite of one-fifth," he added.
According to the resolution, the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise is "inextricably" linked to the exercise of press freedom, but none of the 11 bills calling for its renewal have been acted upon by the Committee on Legislative Franchises and no single hearing has been held "possibly due to President Duterte's object to subject renewal."
"The freedom of the press is corollary to the people's right to information and the decimation of press freedom amounts to the demise of the people's right to know," the resolution read.
"It is of critical immediacy for the leadership and membership of the House of Representatives to uphold and respect the freedom of the press as an indispensable component of the freedom of expression and free speech," it added.
House Committee on Legislative Franchises vice chairman Tonypet Albano, however, assured that ABS-CBN will have its "time and day" at the chamber for the deliberation of the measures seeking for the renewal of its franchise.
"There will be a proper time and timing for ABS-CBN to be heard in the Franchise committee with the intentions of having a thorough, fair and honest-to-good hearing," he said.
"We intend to give ABS-CBN its intended 'time and day' to answer all the critics, and to debate thoroughly on the merits of the case at hand, in order to make sure that the committee report is not only fair, but good for all stakeholders," he added.
Albano also said that although ABS-CBN's franchise is expiring on March 30, Congress has enough time to discuss it within the whole term of the 18th Congress, up to June 30, 2022, due to the pendency of the bills seeking for the renewal of its franchise. —LDF, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/726287/at-least-91-solons-signed-reso-for-house-panel-action-on-abs-cbn-franchise-bills-lagman/story/
Nearly 100 solons want House panel to now tackle ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal
So far, 91 members of the House of Representatives – including eight Deputy Speakers – have signed the resolution urging the committee on legislative franchises to tackle bills concerning the legislative franchise renewal of media network giant ABS-CBN.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, the author of House Resolution (HR) No. 639, disclosed this Monday, as he revealed that: “I am of the understanding that another Deputy Speaker will sign today.”
Further, the lawmaker said 21 committee chairs likewise affixed their signatures in the resolution.
Of the 91 lawmakers who signed the resolution, 65 are members of the so-called supermajority in the House, Lagman added.
HR 639 argues that the renewal of ABS-CBN’s legislative franchise is “inextricably linked to the exercise of press freedom.”
Republic Act No. 3846 requires television and radio broadcasting companies to secure a franchise from the government before they are allowed to operate. It is Congress that will decide whether to extend the franchise to public utilities, such as the media.
Eleven bills have been filed in the House seeking to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN, which is one of the biggest media outlets in the country.
However, it has yet to be put on calendar by the House committee on legislative franchises.
In a press briefing, Isabela Rep. Antonio Albano, vice-chairperson of the committee on legislative franchises, assured that the committee has been “working hard to facilitate all the franchise renewals and applications that been lodged in our committee.”
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1229773/nearly-100-solons-want-house-panel-to-now-tackle-abs-cbns-franchise-renewal
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, the author of House Resolution (HR) No. 639, disclosed this Monday, as he revealed that: “I am of the understanding that another Deputy Speaker will sign today.”
Further, the lawmaker said 21 committee chairs likewise affixed their signatures in the resolution.
Of the 91 lawmakers who signed the resolution, 65 are members of the so-called supermajority in the House, Lagman added.
HR 639 argues that the renewal of ABS-CBN’s legislative franchise is “inextricably linked to the exercise of press freedom.”
Republic Act No. 3846 requires television and radio broadcasting companies to secure a franchise from the government before they are allowed to operate. It is Congress that will decide whether to extend the franchise to public utilities, such as the media.
Eleven bills have been filed in the House seeking to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN, which is one of the biggest media outlets in the country.
However, it has yet to be put on calendar by the House committee on legislative franchises.
In a press briefing, Isabela Rep. Antonio Albano, vice-chairperson of the committee on legislative franchises, assured that the committee has been “working hard to facilitate all the franchise renewals and applications that been lodged in our committee.”
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1229773/nearly-100-solons-want-house-panel-to-now-tackle-abs-cbns-franchise-renewal
NTC can’t ‘resurrect’ expired franchise of ABS-CBN, says solon
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman on Monday thumbed down the suggestion of some House leaders for media and entertainment company ABS-CBN to secure a provisional authority from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to operate even after the expiration of its franchise.
In a statement, Lagman said such suggestion is a mere “illusory remedy,” since only holders of a valid, existing and/or renewed franchise can apply with the NTC for a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN).
“The NTC cannot on its own resurrect an expired legislative franchise by granting a former grantee a ‘provisional authority to operate’,” said Lagman, who was among those who filed a resolution pushing the lower chamber to hear ABS-CBN’s application for franchise renewal.
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano previously said that ABS-CBN may continue broadcasting if the NTC grants it a provisional authority to operate.
Cayetano said that the the House franchise panel may submit to the NTC a document supporting the provisional license for ABS-CBN.
Isabela Rep. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano, who serves as vice-chairperson of the House committee on legislative franchises, also said that ABS-CBN can still operate beyond the expiration of its franchise on March 30.
Cannot operate without franchise
Lagman claimed that rather than prescribing false cures for ABS-CBN, the House should just expedite the renewal of its franchise.
The opposition solon pointed out that such provisional authority from NTC “can be challenged in court because it is not validated by jurisprudence,” citing Section 16 of Republic Act No. 7925 or the Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines.
This provision states that “no person shall commence or conduct the business of being a public telecommunications entity without first obtaining a franchise.”
“Section 16 further provides that ‘a CPCN expiring at the same time as a franchise shall be deemed to have been renewed for the same term if the franchise itself is also renewed or extended’,” Lagman said.
“Consequently, a CPCN automatically expires with the expiration of the franchise and no CPCN can be extended when the franchise has expired,” he added.
Lagman also noted that NTC’s 2006 Rules of Practice of Procedure which states that “when the application is predicated on a franchise… such franchise or contract shall be impleaded in the application by alleging in substance its salient provisions, appending to the application a copy of the same.”
“The franchise to be impleaded in the application with NTC must be a valid, existing and/or renewed franchise,” Lagman argued.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1229654/fwd-no-franchise-no-operation-solon-says-on-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal
In a statement, Lagman said such suggestion is a mere “illusory remedy,” since only holders of a valid, existing and/or renewed franchise can apply with the NTC for a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN).
“The NTC cannot on its own resurrect an expired legislative franchise by granting a former grantee a ‘provisional authority to operate’,” said Lagman, who was among those who filed a resolution pushing the lower chamber to hear ABS-CBN’s application for franchise renewal.
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano previously said that ABS-CBN may continue broadcasting if the NTC grants it a provisional authority to operate.
Cayetano said that the the House franchise panel may submit to the NTC a document supporting the provisional license for ABS-CBN.
Isabela Rep. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano, who serves as vice-chairperson of the House committee on legislative franchises, also said that ABS-CBN can still operate beyond the expiration of its franchise on March 30.
Cannot operate without franchise
Lagman claimed that rather than prescribing false cures for ABS-CBN, the House should just expedite the renewal of its franchise.
The opposition solon pointed out that such provisional authority from NTC “can be challenged in court because it is not validated by jurisprudence,” citing Section 16 of Republic Act No. 7925 or the Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines.
This provision states that “no person shall commence or conduct the business of being a public telecommunications entity without first obtaining a franchise.”
“Section 16 further provides that ‘a CPCN expiring at the same time as a franchise shall be deemed to have been renewed for the same term if the franchise itself is also renewed or extended’,” Lagman said.
“Consequently, a CPCN automatically expires with the expiration of the franchise and no CPCN can be extended when the franchise has expired,” he added.
Lagman also noted that NTC’s 2006 Rules of Practice of Procedure which states that “when the application is predicated on a franchise… such franchise or contract shall be impleaded in the application by alleging in substance its salient provisions, appending to the application a copy of the same.”
“The franchise to be impleaded in the application with NTC must be a valid, existing and/or renewed franchise,” Lagman argued.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1229654/fwd-no-franchise-no-operation-solon-says-on-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal
Lawmakers doubt NTC will let ABS-CBN run without new franchise
If an independent branch of government like Congress is scared of defying President Rodrigo Duterte on the matter of ABS-CBN’s franchise, how can the executive-controlled National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) be so brave?
Some lawmakers are questioning Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano’s logic in stating that the renewal of ABS-CBN’s expiring license is “not that urgent” since the NTC will grant the broadcast giant provisional authority to operate until 2022 anyway.
Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza dismissed the claim that the NTC would permit ABS-CBN to continue broadcasting beyond the expiration of its franchise in March, calling it a “pipe dream.”
“That is a fantasy,” said the congressman and father of ABS-CBN host Kim Atienza.
“The NTC will simply say we cannot possibly give you a provisional authority because the chief lawyer of the republic wants to shut you down,” Atienza said, referring to Solicitor General Jose Calida, who has filed a petition in the Supreme Court to revoke the media network’s license for violating the terms of its franchise and the Constitution.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said the idea of the NTC saving ABS-CBN from shutdown was an “illusory alternative remedy” that was far from a done deal.
Congressional break
ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise expires on March 30, and Congress goes on a break on March 11.
The House legislative franchises panel, which is supposed to deliberate on at least 10 bills extending ABS-CBN’s license, has not tabled the matter for discussions.
On Friday, Cayetano said the committee chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez might begin deliberating on the bills in May or after the State of the Nation Address in July.
He said there was consensus among House leaders that ABS-CBN should be able to operate upon the grant of an NTC provisional authority. He suggested that the House panel submit an official document supporting such.
‘Flimsy’ excuse
But Lagman said Cayetano’s excuse for dragging his foot on the ABS-CBN renewal bills was flimsy.
“The renewal of a franchise is the legal, proper and traditional course of action under the sole jurisdiction of the Congress,” the opposition congressman said in a statement on Saturday.
He said ABS-CBN was being given an illusory alternative remedy instead of being granted a justified renewal of its franchise.
Atienza said all 302 members of the House should be given the chance to vote on whether to extend ABS-CBN’s franchise.
Sen. Grace Poe urged fellow lawmakers to put in writing their support for ABS-CBN’s continued operations while its application for a fresh 25-year congressional franchise remained in limbo.
Poe, chair of the Senate public services committee, made the call on Sunday after several Congress leaders, including Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Speaker Cayetano, said last week that ABS-CBN may operate beyond the life of its legislative franchise on March 30 since it had already sought for an extension.
She said she was concerned for the media network’s 11,000 employees who would lose their jobs if the government denied its application, which President Duterte had repeatedly vowed to block. —Reports from DJ Yap and Marlon Ramos
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1229549/lawmakers-doubt-ntc-will-let-abs-cbn-run-without-new-franchise
Some lawmakers are questioning Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano’s logic in stating that the renewal of ABS-CBN’s expiring license is “not that urgent” since the NTC will grant the broadcast giant provisional authority to operate until 2022 anyway.
Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza dismissed the claim that the NTC would permit ABS-CBN to continue broadcasting beyond the expiration of its franchise in March, calling it a “pipe dream.”
“That is a fantasy,” said the congressman and father of ABS-CBN host Kim Atienza.
“The NTC will simply say we cannot possibly give you a provisional authority because the chief lawyer of the republic wants to shut you down,” Atienza said, referring to Solicitor General Jose Calida, who has filed a petition in the Supreme Court to revoke the media network’s license for violating the terms of its franchise and the Constitution.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said the idea of the NTC saving ABS-CBN from shutdown was an “illusory alternative remedy” that was far from a done deal.
Congressional break
ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise expires on March 30, and Congress goes on a break on March 11.
The House legislative franchises panel, which is supposed to deliberate on at least 10 bills extending ABS-CBN’s license, has not tabled the matter for discussions.
On Friday, Cayetano said the committee chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez might begin deliberating on the bills in May or after the State of the Nation Address in July.
He said there was consensus among House leaders that ABS-CBN should be able to operate upon the grant of an NTC provisional authority. He suggested that the House panel submit an official document supporting such.
‘Flimsy’ excuse
But Lagman said Cayetano’s excuse for dragging his foot on the ABS-CBN renewal bills was flimsy.
“The renewal of a franchise is the legal, proper and traditional course of action under the sole jurisdiction of the Congress,” the opposition congressman said in a statement on Saturday.
He said ABS-CBN was being given an illusory alternative remedy instead of being granted a justified renewal of its franchise.
Atienza said all 302 members of the House should be given the chance to vote on whether to extend ABS-CBN’s franchise.
Sen. Grace Poe urged fellow lawmakers to put in writing their support for ABS-CBN’s continued operations while its application for a fresh 25-year congressional franchise remained in limbo.
Poe, chair of the Senate public services committee, made the call on Sunday after several Congress leaders, including Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Speaker Cayetano, said last week that ABS-CBN may operate beyond the life of its legislative franchise on March 30 since it had already sought for an extension.
She said she was concerned for the media network’s 11,000 employees who would lose their jobs if the government denied its application, which President Duterte had repeatedly vowed to block. —Reports from DJ Yap and Marlon Ramos
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1229549/lawmakers-doubt-ntc-will-let-abs-cbn-run-without-new-franchise
Senator steps into ABS-CBN franchise bid
Senator Grace Poe on Sunday said Congress should put in writing that the franchise of media giant ABS-CBN can be extended until 2022 and inform the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) of its decision.
“That’s a courtesy that Congress gives to the NTC,” said Poe.
ABS-CBN’s franchise ends on March 30, but Congress is still deliberating whether or not to extend it, even as the administration, through Solicitor General Jose Calida, asked the Supreme Court to nullify the network’s permit to operate over its alleged violation of foreign ownership limits.
The move was widely seen as an attack on press freedom.
But Poe said stopping the operation of ABS-CBN was “no joke” since 11,000 jobs are at stake.
She urged her fellow lawmakers to ensure that the network be allowed to continue to operate while Congress is still deliberating on its franchise extension.
Poe earlier filed Senate Resolution No. 322 directing the Senate committee on public services to conduct an inquiry to determine ABS-CBN’s compliance to the terms of its franchise.
Several senators are supporting the resolution.
Poe said the hearings would aid the senators in making judgment when the franchise bill is transmitted to them for their deliberation.
The House of Representatives has yet to begin deliberations on the application. House leaders, however, said ABS-CBN could continue operating until 2022 or the end of the 18th Congress while its franchise is being discussed.
Poe said the Senate inquiry would focus on the network’s alleged violations. All parties will be given an opportunity to air their side for the public to know the real issue.
“Nothing is perfect. I have an open mind on that because many are applying for[a] franchise, nobody is perfect,” she said.
“No doubt ABS-CBN is giving services, but still, we need to weigh things-- do the services being given by ABS-CBN [enough so]... that its shortcomings can be set aside?” she said.
Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. on Sunday proposed the drafting of a joint concurrent resolution at the House of Representatives to urge the NTC to recognize precedent situations and maintain the “status quo” due to pending bills aimed at renewing the franchise of ABS-CBN Corp.
The resolution would “calm tensions while creating the space and time for solutions for the pending franchises of ABS-CBN Corp. and ABS-CBN Convergence,” he said in a statement.
He said the resolution would allow ABS-CBN to continue operating while the franchise bills are pending based on precedents.
“It will also assure the 11,000 workers at ABS-CBN that they still have jobs up until both Houses of Congress have decided on the matter with finality,” he said.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman earlier said Congress has the exclusive power to renew or revoke the franchise of ABS-CBN Corp.
At least 11 bills are still pending before the House of Representatives on the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.
https://manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/317522/senator-steps-into-abs-franchise-bid.html
“That’s a courtesy that Congress gives to the NTC,” said Poe.
ABS-CBN’s franchise ends on March 30, but Congress is still deliberating whether or not to extend it, even as the administration, through Solicitor General Jose Calida, asked the Supreme Court to nullify the network’s permit to operate over its alleged violation of foreign ownership limits.
The move was widely seen as an attack on press freedom.
But Poe said stopping the operation of ABS-CBN was “no joke” since 11,000 jobs are at stake.
She urged her fellow lawmakers to ensure that the network be allowed to continue to operate while Congress is still deliberating on its franchise extension.
Poe earlier filed Senate Resolution No. 322 directing the Senate committee on public services to conduct an inquiry to determine ABS-CBN’s compliance to the terms of its franchise.
Several senators are supporting the resolution.
Poe said the hearings would aid the senators in making judgment when the franchise bill is transmitted to them for their deliberation.
The House of Representatives has yet to begin deliberations on the application. House leaders, however, said ABS-CBN could continue operating until 2022 or the end of the 18th Congress while its franchise is being discussed.
Poe said the Senate inquiry would focus on the network’s alleged violations. All parties will be given an opportunity to air their side for the public to know the real issue.
“Nothing is perfect. I have an open mind on that because many are applying for[a] franchise, nobody is perfect,” she said.
“No doubt ABS-CBN is giving services, but still, we need to weigh things-- do the services being given by ABS-CBN [enough so]... that its shortcomings can be set aside?” she said.
Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. on Sunday proposed the drafting of a joint concurrent resolution at the House of Representatives to urge the NTC to recognize precedent situations and maintain the “status quo” due to pending bills aimed at renewing the franchise of ABS-CBN Corp.
The resolution would “calm tensions while creating the space and time for solutions for the pending franchises of ABS-CBN Corp. and ABS-CBN Convergence,” he said in a statement.
He said the resolution would allow ABS-CBN to continue operating while the franchise bills are pending based on precedents.
“It will also assure the 11,000 workers at ABS-CBN that they still have jobs up until both Houses of Congress have decided on the matter with finality,” he said.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman earlier said Congress has the exclusive power to renew or revoke the franchise of ABS-CBN Corp.
At least 11 bills are still pending before the House of Representatives on the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.
https://manilastandard.net/news/top-stories/317522/senator-steps-into-abs-franchise-bid.html
ABS-CBN shutdown a blow to economic diversity, investor confidence
The non-renewal of the franchise of local media giant ABS-CBN may get in the way of pursuing diversity in the economy and affect investor confidence in the country, said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia.
Sought for comment on threats to the renewal of the legislative franchise of the Lopez-led network, Pernia cited the wide-reaching public benefit from the operations of the network.
“A lot of people are benefitting. Congressmen and senators are benefiting from it, and even the masses,” Pernia told reporters, referring to the thousands of jobs created by the network as well as the role it plays in public discourse.
“So, yes, it’s a difficult thing. But it’s a political issue,” he added.
From an economic point of view, Pernia said that stopping the operations of the network by not renewing its franchise would get in the way of promoting diversity in the economy and fostering competition.
“The economist will always favor more diversity, more openness, progressive ideas,” said Pernia.
This will also have a negative effect on investor confidence as it is a direct government interference on a company that produces services desired by the public.
“I guess so (that it will affect investor confidence). Because investors realize that it’s very popular, it’s wanted by so many people,” he said.
As of last week, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises has still not scheduled hearings on the bills for the renewal of the network’s franchise.
Labor groups have called on Congress to renew the network’s franchise to save 11,000 jobs.
Media organizations, meanwhile, have denounced the threat of non-renewal as an attack on press freedom.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2020/02/17/1993669/abs-cbn-shutdown-blow-economic-diversity-investor-confidence
Sought for comment on threats to the renewal of the legislative franchise of the Lopez-led network, Pernia cited the wide-reaching public benefit from the operations of the network.
“A lot of people are benefitting. Congressmen and senators are benefiting from it, and even the masses,” Pernia told reporters, referring to the thousands of jobs created by the network as well as the role it plays in public discourse.
“So, yes, it’s a difficult thing. But it’s a political issue,” he added.
From an economic point of view, Pernia said that stopping the operations of the network by not renewing its franchise would get in the way of promoting diversity in the economy and fostering competition.
“The economist will always favor more diversity, more openness, progressive ideas,” said Pernia.
This will also have a negative effect on investor confidence as it is a direct government interference on a company that produces services desired by the public.
“I guess so (that it will affect investor confidence). Because investors realize that it’s very popular, it’s wanted by so many people,” he said.
As of last week, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises has still not scheduled hearings on the bills for the renewal of the network’s franchise.
Labor groups have called on Congress to renew the network’s franchise to save 11,000 jobs.
Media organizations, meanwhile, have denounced the threat of non-renewal as an attack on press freedom.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2020/02/17/1993669/abs-cbn-shutdown-blow-economic-diversity-investor-confidence
Lawmakers eye status quo for ABS-CBN
A congressman is proposing that Congress issue a joint resolution calling on the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to allow ABS-CBN Corp. to continue operations while its franchise is being renewed.
House Committee on Legislative Franchises member and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. made the proposal after Sen. Mary Grace Poe asked lawmakers to declare verbally or in writing that the media network could still operate even after its 25-year franchise expires on March 30.
Eleven bills seeking the network’s franchise renewal are pending at the House of Representatives. Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said last week the measures might be taken up in May, at the earliest, when session resumes after the Holy Week break.
Cayetano also mentioned in earlier interviews that the network might still operate until the end of the 18th Congress or in 2022.
Garbin said his proposal could “help calm tensions while creating the space and time for solutions for the pending franchises of ABS-CBN Corporation and ABS-CBN Convergence.”
A Joint Concurrent Resolution (JCR) “would give clarity and substance to the emerging consensus that ABS-CBN can continue to operate while the franchise bills are pending in the 18th Congress based on precedents,” he added.
Garbin said Congress could grant a JCR.
“It will also assure the 11,000 workers at ABS-CBN that they still have jobs up until both Houses of Congress have decided on the matter with finality,” he continued.
The JCR “would also be the assurance of Congress to the Filipino people that there will be no vacuum in freedom of expression, creativity and press freedom because of the expiration of the ABS-CBN franchises,” Garbin said.
Like Garbin, Poe wants the welfare of ABS-CBN workers protected by ensuring that the media giant would continue to operate while Congress is still deliberating on its franchise extension.
On Wednesday, Poe filed Senate Resolution 322 directing the Senate Committee on Public Services to conduct an inquiry to determine if ABS-CBN complied with the terms of its franchise.
“Despite their pronouncements that it can be extended until 2022, it would be better if it would be put in writing,” said Poe, chairman of the Senate Public Services panel.
“It is no joke to stop the operation of ABS-CBN because we know that 11,000 jobs will be affected,” she added.
Last week, Solicitor General Jose Calida petitioned the Supreme Court to strip ABS-CBN of its franchise.
He has defended his filing of the petition, saying the Supreme Court is the right venue for the case.
In an interview, Calida said it was clear in Rule 66, Section 7, of the Rules of Court that the high court had “concurrent jurisdiction” over a quo warranto case.
On the issue that the high court must remand the case to the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Regional Trial Court since the high court is not a trier of facts, Calida said the evidence he submitted would bear him out.
He added that the critics of the petition “should look first at the evidence presented.”
“Andun na ‘yung facts (The facts are there). We asked the different government agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission and the National Telecommunications Commission to provide us with the these documents,” he said.
In his petition, Calida alleged that ABS-CBN violated its legislative franchise. He attached documents from the SEC to prove that ABS-CBN sold Philippine Depositary Receipts to non-Filipino entities.
Media entities must be 100 percent Filipino-owned.
ABS-CBN also offered pay-per-view channels, which were supposed to be used for free by the public, Calida argued. DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ, BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO AND JOMAR CANLAS
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/02/17/news/top-stories/lawmakers-eye-status-quo-for-abs-cbn/686521/
House Committee on Legislative Franchises member and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. made the proposal after Sen. Mary Grace Poe asked lawmakers to declare verbally or in writing that the media network could still operate even after its 25-year franchise expires on March 30.
Eleven bills seeking the network’s franchise renewal are pending at the House of Representatives. Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said last week the measures might be taken up in May, at the earliest, when session resumes after the Holy Week break.
Cayetano also mentioned in earlier interviews that the network might still operate until the end of the 18th Congress or in 2022.
Garbin said his proposal could “help calm tensions while creating the space and time for solutions for the pending franchises of ABS-CBN Corporation and ABS-CBN Convergence.”
A Joint Concurrent Resolution (JCR) “would give clarity and substance to the emerging consensus that ABS-CBN can continue to operate while the franchise bills are pending in the 18th Congress based on precedents,” he added.
Garbin said Congress could grant a JCR.
“It will also assure the 11,000 workers at ABS-CBN that they still have jobs up until both Houses of Congress have decided on the matter with finality,” he continued.
The JCR “would also be the assurance of Congress to the Filipino people that there will be no vacuum in freedom of expression, creativity and press freedom because of the expiration of the ABS-CBN franchises,” Garbin said.
Like Garbin, Poe wants the welfare of ABS-CBN workers protected by ensuring that the media giant would continue to operate while Congress is still deliberating on its franchise extension.
On Wednesday, Poe filed Senate Resolution 322 directing the Senate Committee on Public Services to conduct an inquiry to determine if ABS-CBN complied with the terms of its franchise.
“Despite their pronouncements that it can be extended until 2022, it would be better if it would be put in writing,” said Poe, chairman of the Senate Public Services panel.
“It is no joke to stop the operation of ABS-CBN because we know that 11,000 jobs will be affected,” she added.
Last week, Solicitor General Jose Calida petitioned the Supreme Court to strip ABS-CBN of its franchise.
He has defended his filing of the petition, saying the Supreme Court is the right venue for the case.
In an interview, Calida said it was clear in Rule 66, Section 7, of the Rules of Court that the high court had “concurrent jurisdiction” over a quo warranto case.
On the issue that the high court must remand the case to the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Regional Trial Court since the high court is not a trier of facts, Calida said the evidence he submitted would bear him out.
He added that the critics of the petition “should look first at the evidence presented.”
“Andun na ‘yung facts (The facts are there). We asked the different government agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission and the National Telecommunications Commission to provide us with the these documents,” he said.
In his petition, Calida alleged that ABS-CBN violated its legislative franchise. He attached documents from the SEC to prove that ABS-CBN sold Philippine Depositary Receipts to non-Filipino entities.
Media entities must be 100 percent Filipino-owned.
ABS-CBN also offered pay-per-view channels, which were supposed to be used for free by the public, Calida argued. DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ, BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO AND JOMAR CANLAS
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/02/17/news/top-stories/lawmakers-eye-status-quo-for-abs-cbn/686521/
Plea aired on full House debate on ABS-CBN
CITIZEN groups on Sunday urged lawmakers to consider the 11,000 regular and contractual employees of the ABS-CBN as the leadership of the House of Representatives vowed to do an impartial job in considering bills seeking to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise.
Also on Sunday, a leading lawmaker sought a full debate by all 300-plus members of the House on ABS-CBN’s case.
Bantay Konsyumer, Kuryente, Kalsada (BK3); CitizenWatch Philippines (CWP) and Democracy Watch Philippines (DWP) made statements amid what is widely seen as the administration’s crackdown on network giant ABS-CBN.
BK3, through Lead Convenor Louie Montemar, said the revocation of the franchise would lead to a loss of jobs for ABS-CBN’s 6,730 regular employees—a threat not just to the workers but their entire families, who are all consumers.
CWP convenor Orlando Oxales placed the number of potentially unemployed to 11,000, to include regular and other workers of the network.
Oxales said this would threaten to widen anew the rate of adult joblessness in the country, which had already improved to 17.5 percent in December 2019 from 21.5 percent the previous September.
“Are we this shallow in making decisions?” Montemar said. “Must we trifle with the jobs of the many just because of a personal grudge?” he asked, in apparent reference to President Duterte’s oft-repeated remarks that he will block the franchise of the network even if Congress decides to renew it after its expiration on March 30.
Meanwhile, BK3’s Montemar said investors will have no certainty in doing business here in the Philippines, because regulations can change depending on the whim of the incumbent.
Also, Oxales assailed the usurpation of Congress’s mandate to grant or reject franchises because of the filing by the Office of the Solicitor General last week of a quo warranto petition blocking ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal, citing the network’s alleged viiolation of its franchise.
Eleven bills pending at the House Committee on Legislative Franchises are seeking its renewal.
Moreover, the organizations called upon legislators to exercise their power to renew franchises, to defend the right to a free media and to stand up for their constituents’ right to be truthfully informed.
The groups also assailed Solicitor General Jose Calida’s quo warranto petition against the giant network, saying it threatens the livelihood of thousands of families/ consumers.
While Calida has denied the hand of the President in his move, Duterte has, on several occasions, attacked ABS-CBN, supposedly for not airing his political advertisements during the 2016 campaign.
Open debate—Atienza
Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza said on Sunday said all 302 members of the House should be given the chance to vote on the bill seeking to extend ABS-CBN Corp.’s franchise by another 25 years.
“The entire House should openly debate on the bill, and then vote on it. This will allow every member to be heard, and to freely decide on the franchise,” said Atienza.
“We cannot just wash our hands of the bill. That would be tantamount to Congress renouncing its exclusive power to grant legislative franchises,” he added.
Atienza also rejected as a “pipedream” the claim of some of his colleagues that even without a renewed franchise, ABS-CBN could still operate until March 2022 by obtaining a two-year provisional authority from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
“That is a fantasy. The NTC will simply say we cannot possibly give you a provisional authority because the Chief Lawyer of the republic wants to shut you down,” Atienza said, referring to Calida’s petition before the Supreme Court.
Earlier, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano urged critics and supporters of ABS-CBN to send to the lower chamber their position papers and comments on the proposed renewal of the radio-television network’s broadcasting franchise.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/02/17/plea-aired-on-full-house-debate-on-abs-cbn/
Also on Sunday, a leading lawmaker sought a full debate by all 300-plus members of the House on ABS-CBN’s case.
Bantay Konsyumer, Kuryente, Kalsada (BK3); CitizenWatch Philippines (CWP) and Democracy Watch Philippines (DWP) made statements amid what is widely seen as the administration’s crackdown on network giant ABS-CBN.
BK3, through Lead Convenor Louie Montemar, said the revocation of the franchise would lead to a loss of jobs for ABS-CBN’s 6,730 regular employees—a threat not just to the workers but their entire families, who are all consumers.
CWP convenor Orlando Oxales placed the number of potentially unemployed to 11,000, to include regular and other workers of the network.
Oxales said this would threaten to widen anew the rate of adult joblessness in the country, which had already improved to 17.5 percent in December 2019 from 21.5 percent the previous September.
“Are we this shallow in making decisions?” Montemar said. “Must we trifle with the jobs of the many just because of a personal grudge?” he asked, in apparent reference to President Duterte’s oft-repeated remarks that he will block the franchise of the network even if Congress decides to renew it after its expiration on March 30.
Meanwhile, BK3’s Montemar said investors will have no certainty in doing business here in the Philippines, because regulations can change depending on the whim of the incumbent.
Also, Oxales assailed the usurpation of Congress’s mandate to grant or reject franchises because of the filing by the Office of the Solicitor General last week of a quo warranto petition blocking ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal, citing the network’s alleged viiolation of its franchise.
Eleven bills pending at the House Committee on Legislative Franchises are seeking its renewal.
Moreover, the organizations called upon legislators to exercise their power to renew franchises, to defend the right to a free media and to stand up for their constituents’ right to be truthfully informed.
The groups also assailed Solicitor General Jose Calida’s quo warranto petition against the giant network, saying it threatens the livelihood of thousands of families/ consumers.
While Calida has denied the hand of the President in his move, Duterte has, on several occasions, attacked ABS-CBN, supposedly for not airing his political advertisements during the 2016 campaign.
Open debate—Atienza
Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza said on Sunday said all 302 members of the House should be given the chance to vote on the bill seeking to extend ABS-CBN Corp.’s franchise by another 25 years.
“The entire House should openly debate on the bill, and then vote on it. This will allow every member to be heard, and to freely decide on the franchise,” said Atienza.
“We cannot just wash our hands of the bill. That would be tantamount to Congress renouncing its exclusive power to grant legislative franchises,” he added.
Atienza also rejected as a “pipedream” the claim of some of his colleagues that even without a renewed franchise, ABS-CBN could still operate until March 2022 by obtaining a two-year provisional authority from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
“That is a fantasy. The NTC will simply say we cannot possibly give you a provisional authority because the Chief Lawyer of the republic wants to shut you down,” Atienza said, referring to Calida’s petition before the Supreme Court.
Earlier, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano urged critics and supporters of ABS-CBN to send to the lower chamber their position papers and comments on the proposed renewal of the radio-television network’s broadcasting franchise.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/02/17/plea-aired-on-full-house-debate-on-abs-cbn/
ABS-CBN franchise renewal to bug its shares
The development on the at-risk franchise renewal of media giant ABS-CBN Corp. will dictate the movement of its shares this week.
Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a quo warranto against the media company before the Supreme Court last February 10 for allegedly violating rules outlined by the Congress.
This was not the first time ABS-CBN dealt with tirades from the government. President Rodrigo Duterte has been firing shots against the media firm for not allegedly airing his paid advertisement during the 2016 campaign season.
Should Calida succeed in nullifying ABS-CBN’s license, the Palace said that the media giant can still apply for a new franchise. Its current franchise is set to expire on Mar. 30, 2020.
“We should monitor the steps that the government is going to take in relation to ABS-CBN. Any threats coming from the government could again tilt sentiment to the downside,” Philstocks Financial Inc. senior research analyst Japhet Tantiangco said.
On the day the petition was filed, ABS-CBN shares dropped 30 centavos or 1.76 percent to finish at P16.70 apiece.
The media giant’s stocks, however, was able to recover some ground on the following days, ending the week with 1.42-percent uptick at P17.14 on Friday from the previous trading day. “This shows that investors are still hopeful with the franchise renewal of the broadcast network,” he said.
Year-to-date, ABS-CBN shares have grown 9.17 percent.
With ABS-CBN shares recently rising, Tantiangco added that there was “upward bias as hope builds up for the firm with respect to its franchise.”
Tantiangco sees the shares of the Lopez-led media firm trading within P16.40 to P18 range this week.
Timson Securities trader Darren Pangan, meanwhile, shared the same sentiment: “Its share performance [this] week may depend on how the developments in congress take place.”
Last week, Pangan said that ABS-CBN shares “did not move very much” because investors might already “priced in the events that have transpired the past few days.”
“We have to observe if support at P17 holds, and if it does hold, then whether or not it breaks the P17.50 area,” he added.
In a statement, ABS-CBN said that the allegations by Calida had no merit. “ABS-CBN complies with all pertinent laws governing its franchise and has secured all necessary government and regulatory approvals for its business operations,” it added.
ABS-CBN saw its consolidated net income rose by 53 percent to P2.27 billion in the first nine months of 2019 from P1.48 billion the year earlier on the back of robust revenue growth.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/02/17/business/stock-watch/abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-to-bug-its-shares/686487/
Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a quo warranto against the media company before the Supreme Court last February 10 for allegedly violating rules outlined by the Congress.
This was not the first time ABS-CBN dealt with tirades from the government. President Rodrigo Duterte has been firing shots against the media firm for not allegedly airing his paid advertisement during the 2016 campaign season.
Should Calida succeed in nullifying ABS-CBN’s license, the Palace said that the media giant can still apply for a new franchise. Its current franchise is set to expire on Mar. 30, 2020.
“We should monitor the steps that the government is going to take in relation to ABS-CBN. Any threats coming from the government could again tilt sentiment to the downside,” Philstocks Financial Inc. senior research analyst Japhet Tantiangco said.
On the day the petition was filed, ABS-CBN shares dropped 30 centavos or 1.76 percent to finish at P16.70 apiece.
The media giant’s stocks, however, was able to recover some ground on the following days, ending the week with 1.42-percent uptick at P17.14 on Friday from the previous trading day. “This shows that investors are still hopeful with the franchise renewal of the broadcast network,” he said.
Year-to-date, ABS-CBN shares have grown 9.17 percent.
With ABS-CBN shares recently rising, Tantiangco added that there was “upward bias as hope builds up for the firm with respect to its franchise.”
Tantiangco sees the shares of the Lopez-led media firm trading within P16.40 to P18 range this week.
Timson Securities trader Darren Pangan, meanwhile, shared the same sentiment: “Its share performance [this] week may depend on how the developments in congress take place.”
Last week, Pangan said that ABS-CBN shares “did not move very much” because investors might already “priced in the events that have transpired the past few days.”
“We have to observe if support at P17 holds, and if it does hold, then whether or not it breaks the P17.50 area,” he added.
In a statement, ABS-CBN said that the allegations by Calida had no merit. “ABS-CBN complies with all pertinent laws governing its franchise and has secured all necessary government and regulatory approvals for its business operations,” it added.
ABS-CBN saw its consolidated net income rose by 53 percent to P2.27 billion in the first nine months of 2019 from P1.48 billion the year earlier on the back of robust revenue growth.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/02/17/business/stock-watch/abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-to-bug-its-shares/686487/
Sunday, February 16, 2020
Cheers to long-kept traditions
 | |
| Grand Hyatt Manila GM and AVP Gottfried Bogensperger and Bonifacio Landmark Realty and Development Corp. president Hans Hauri. |
The festivities included long-kept traditions like eye-dotting ceremony and lion dance, as well as some spectacular fireworks to bring in luck for the new year. Guests also enjoyed sweet dumplings in syrup and the exquisite cuisine Grand Hyatt Manila is known for.
Congratulations to Grand Hyatt Manila for a successful Lunar New Year celebration!
 |
| (Seated) Linda Lagdameo, Raquel Sta. Ines and Letty Lopez; (standing, from left) Gina Suarez, Maurita Arce, Rosa Francisco, Violet Luym and Baby Araneta. |
A delightful reunion
An unforgettable and delightful reunion between life-long friends from Assumption College was held at Peking Garden in Makati City.
Organized by Linda Lagdameo, Marieliese Evaristo and Baby Araneta, the reunion was also an opportunity to celebrate the lives of their batch’s birthday celebrants.
With cheer spread throughout the room, each one whispered a prayer of thanks for the gifts of time and friendship.
A wonderful way to celebrate friendship, indeed!
TV TODAY
PTV-4
- 06:00AM Once A Fishing Village...
- 07:00AM Apprentice Chef Series
- 08:00AM Chinese Works
- 08:30AM Look and Learn
- 09:00AM Arts and Culture Magazine
- 09:30AM Kaitou Sentai Lupinranger VS Keisatsu Sentai Patoranger
- 10:00AM PTV Cordillera Newsbreak
- 10:05AM School Babysitters
- 10:30AM League Of The Extraordinary Cute Pets
- 11:00AM PCSO Lottery Draw
- 11:15AM PTVisMin Newsbreak
- 11:20AM On the Record
- 11:30AM Age No More
- 12:00PM PTV Newsbreak
- 12:05PM Chow HK Block To Block
- 01:00PM Noon News
- 01:10PM Weather Report and Earth Live
- 01:15PM Look for a Star
- 03:15PM PTV Cordillera Newsbreak
- 03:20PM One Minute, One Emotion
- 03:25PM Wellness On The Go IV
- 03:55PM J Super Hits
- 03:40PM Dolce Vita
- 04:00PM PCSO Lottery Draw
- 04:15PM PTVisMin Newsbreak
- 04:20PM Bakugan: Battle Planet
- 04:30PM Gorilla Study Group
- 05:00PM Pororo the Little Penguin
- 05:30PM Anpanman
- 06:00PM Financial Magazine
- 06:30PM News At Six-Thirty
- 06:55PM Earth Live
- 07:00PM Sunday Report
- 07:30PM The Glory of Belt and Road
- 07:35PM Scoop
- 08:00PM Come Home Love: Lo and Behold
- 08:30PM PTV Newsbreak
- 08:35PM Sidewalk Scientist
- 09:00PM Savoury Taiwan
- 09:30PM PCSO Lottery Draw
- 10:00PM PTV Newsbreak
- 10:05PM Cantopop At 50
- 11:00PM PTV Newsbreak
- 11:05PM Weekend Blockbuster:Spy
- 01:15AM Mom on the Run
- 01:45AM Walking With You
- 02:15AM News Roundup
- 02:30AM Weather Report and Earth Live
- 02:35AM A Recipe for the Heart
- 03:45AM TV Easy
- 03:50AM Financial Magazine
- 04:20AM TV Easy
- 04:50AM Prince of Wolf
Q Channel 11
- 06:00am Mat Yoyo S3 - EP 3
- 06:30am Bugsville - EP 8
- 07:00am Franklin And Friends - EP 30
- 07:30am Babar And The Adventures Of Badou - EP 63
- 08:00am Sesame Street S46 - EP 32
- 08:30am Sesame Street S46 - EP 33
- 09:00am TOBOT: Galaxy Detectives - EP 0021 & 0022
- 09:30am Zoids WILD - EP 45
- 10:00am Turning Mecard - EP 35
- 10:30am Extreme Football - EP 32
- 11:00am Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles S4 - EP 15
- 11:30am Abraureka S2 - EP 5
- 12:00pm Jeff Wayne's Musical Version Of The War Of The Worlds-The New Generation: Alive On Stage
- 02:30pm Films & Stars - EP 633
- 03:00pm Asia Now
- 03:30pm Correspondents' Diary - EP 46
- 04:00pm Headline News
- 04:02pm Bat Pat - EP 0051 & 0052
- 04:30pm Horrid Henry S4 - EP 0039 & 0040
- 05:00pm Cardfight!! Vanguard - EP 16
- 05:30pm Exlosers S3 - EP 6
- 06:00pm Just For Laughs Gags 18 - EP 8
- 06:15pm Captain America: The Winter Soldier
- 08:30pm Remarkable Living 2 - EP 2
- 09:00pm Headline News - EP 1
- 09:02pm The Big Questions - EP 2
- 10:00pm Singapore Tonight
- 10:30pm Alaska: A Year In The Wild - EP 1
- 11:30pm Everything, Everything
- 01:00am The Dr Oz Show 10 - EP 138
- 02:00am The Flash S4 - EP 13
- 03:00am The Flash S4 - EP 14
- 04:00am The Flash S4 - EP 15
- 05:00am Films & Stars - EP 633
Metro Channel
- 06:00AM The Joy of Al
- 07:00AM Ji Zhu Xiang Chou
- 08:00AM Hour of Power
- 09:00AM Big Story
- 10:00AM Sports A New Horizon
- 10:30AM Animal Senses
- 11:00AM Culinary Roadtrip 3
- 12:00PM CGTN Global Watch
- 01:00PM Animal Armory
- 02:00PM Kevin (Probably) Saves the World
- 02:55PM Straight Talk
- 03:20PM Clay Time
- 03:30PM Showers of Blessing
- 04:00PM Our Family
- 04:30PM Mouk
- 05:00PM Nate Is Late
- 05:30PM News of the Wild
- 06:00PM Deadly Australians
- 07:00PM Property Experts
- 07:30PM NEWS AT SEVEN-THIRTY
- 07:55PM WEATHER REPORT and Earth Live
- 08:00PM Extreme Cake Makers
- 08:30PM 101 Easy Japanese
- 08:35PM Britain's Got Talent
- 09:20PM Shaun the Sheep and Today in History
- 09:30PM Closer Look at Property
- 10:00PM News Report
- 10:30PM Weekend Blockbuster:Fan Girl
- 12:40AM Hong Kong Marriage
- 01:10AM Sunday Report
- 01:40AM NEWS ROUNDUP (PEARL)
- 01:55AM WEATHER REPORT and Earth Live
- 02:00AM Dolce Vita
- 02:30AM A User's Guide To Cheating Death
- 03:25AM Animal Armory
- 04:25AM Britain's Got Talent
- 05:20AM MasterChef
https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/allure/2020/02/09/1991470/cheers-long-kept-traditions
Solons demand House action on ABS-CBN franchise
By Ellson Quismorio
Congressmen criticized on Sunday the supposed plan of the House leadership to let the effectivity of broadcast giant ABS-CBN’s current operating franchise expire before acting on pending bills to renew the franchise for another 25 years.
“We cannot just wash our hands of the bill. That would be tantamount to Congress renouncing its exclusive power to grant legislative franchises,” Buhay Party-List Rep. Lito Atienza said in a statement.
According to him, all 302 members of the House of Representatives should be given a chance to vote on the franchise renewal bills concerning the Lopez-owned network.
“The entire House should openly debate on the bill, and then vote on it. This will allow every member to be heard, and to freely decide on the franchise,” Atienza, a former three-term mayor of Manila, said.
While ABS-CBN’s franchise is set to expire on March 30 this year, the Committee really only has until March 11 to act on the pending measures since Congress will go on summer recess after that. The network has 11,000 employees.
All eyes are on the Committee on Legislative Franchises chaired Palawan 1st district Rep. Franz Alvarez, since the dozen or so bills seeking the franchise renewal have been referred to the panel. So far, it hasn’t calendared a hearing for the particular bills, despite the dwindling clock.
Atienza also rejected as a “pipedream” the claim of some of his colleagues that even without a renewed franchise, ABS-CBN could still operate until March 2022 by obtaining a two-year provisional authority from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
“That is a fantasy. The NTC will simply say we cannot possibly give you a provisional authority because the chief lawyer of the Republic wants to shut you down,” Atienza said, referring to Solicitor General Jose Calida’s quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court (SC) to forfeit the media network’s existing franchise.
Magdalo Party-List Rep. Manuel Cabochan III said that the time to act on the pending ABS-CBN measures is now.
“Why let the franchise effectivity lapse bago bigyan ng pansin? Trabaho din naman ng Kongreso to look into franchise renewals. Nakita na ang pangangailangan na aksiyonan ito, so sana trabahuhin na lang, wag ipagpaliban (Why let the franchise effectivity lapse before acting on it? It’s also the job of Congress to look into franchise renewals. We’ve seen the need to respond to this, so let’s just work on it instead of delay it),” Cabochan said.
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said over the weekend that the chamber could begin tackling the franchise renewal bills in May after the summer recess, or in July, after President Duterte delivers his annual State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Outside the House of Representatives, more groups continued to assail Calida’s quo warranto petition against the giant network, saying it threatened the livelihood of thousands of families.
The Bantay Konsyumer, Kuryente, Kalsada (BK3); CitizenWatch Philippines (CWP); and the Democracy Watch Philippines (DWP) said the Office of the Solicitor General’s (OSG) court action against ABS-CBN “sends a negative message to investors, usurps the mandate of Congress, abuses power to silence the President’s critics, and disregards of the rule of law.”
BK3 said investors might hesitate to conduct business in the Philippines because regulations can change depending on the whim of sitting officials.
While Calida has denied Malacañang’s hand in his move, President Duterte has, on several occasions, publicly attacked ABS-CBN, supposedly for not airing his political advertisements during the 2016 presidential campaign, and threatened to cause the revocation of the network’s franchise.
In 2017, Duterte went on record that he was “willing to shake hands with” so long as the network devoted some air time to the promotion of federalism, which he was pushing at that time.”
According to CWP, the ABS-CBN franchise issue sets a dangerous precedent and is a disturbing trend following the Manila Water and Maynilad consortium agreement controversy.
The group said the issue will “cause a crisis of confidence in our regulatory environment being reckless and unstable.”
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/02/16/solons-demand-house-action-on-abs-cbn-franchise/
Congressmen criticized on Sunday the supposed plan of the House leadership to let the effectivity of broadcast giant ABS-CBN’s current operating franchise expire before acting on pending bills to renew the franchise for another 25 years.
“We cannot just wash our hands of the bill. That would be tantamount to Congress renouncing its exclusive power to grant legislative franchises,” Buhay Party-List Rep. Lito Atienza said in a statement.
According to him, all 302 members of the House of Representatives should be given a chance to vote on the franchise renewal bills concerning the Lopez-owned network.
“The entire House should openly debate on the bill, and then vote on it. This will allow every member to be heard, and to freely decide on the franchise,” Atienza, a former three-term mayor of Manila, said.
While ABS-CBN’s franchise is set to expire on March 30 this year, the Committee really only has until March 11 to act on the pending measures since Congress will go on summer recess after that. The network has 11,000 employees.
All eyes are on the Committee on Legislative Franchises chaired Palawan 1st district Rep. Franz Alvarez, since the dozen or so bills seeking the franchise renewal have been referred to the panel. So far, it hasn’t calendared a hearing for the particular bills, despite the dwindling clock.
Atienza also rejected as a “pipedream” the claim of some of his colleagues that even without a renewed franchise, ABS-CBN could still operate until March 2022 by obtaining a two-year provisional authority from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
“That is a fantasy. The NTC will simply say we cannot possibly give you a provisional authority because the chief lawyer of the Republic wants to shut you down,” Atienza said, referring to Solicitor General Jose Calida’s quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court (SC) to forfeit the media network’s existing franchise.
Magdalo Party-List Rep. Manuel Cabochan III said that the time to act on the pending ABS-CBN measures is now.
“Why let the franchise effectivity lapse bago bigyan ng pansin? Trabaho din naman ng Kongreso to look into franchise renewals. Nakita na ang pangangailangan na aksiyonan ito, so sana trabahuhin na lang, wag ipagpaliban (Why let the franchise effectivity lapse before acting on it? It’s also the job of Congress to look into franchise renewals. We’ve seen the need to respond to this, so let’s just work on it instead of delay it),” Cabochan said.
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said over the weekend that the chamber could begin tackling the franchise renewal bills in May after the summer recess, or in July, after President Duterte delivers his annual State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Outside the House of Representatives, more groups continued to assail Calida’s quo warranto petition against the giant network, saying it threatened the livelihood of thousands of families.
The Bantay Konsyumer, Kuryente, Kalsada (BK3); CitizenWatch Philippines (CWP); and the Democracy Watch Philippines (DWP) said the Office of the Solicitor General’s (OSG) court action against ABS-CBN “sends a negative message to investors, usurps the mandate of Congress, abuses power to silence the President’s critics, and disregards of the rule of law.”
BK3 said investors might hesitate to conduct business in the Philippines because regulations can change depending on the whim of sitting officials.
While Calida has denied Malacañang’s hand in his move, President Duterte has, on several occasions, publicly attacked ABS-CBN, supposedly for not airing his political advertisements during the 2016 presidential campaign, and threatened to cause the revocation of the network’s franchise.
In 2017, Duterte went on record that he was “willing to shake hands with” so long as the network devoted some air time to the promotion of federalism, which he was pushing at that time.”
According to CWP, the ABS-CBN franchise issue sets a dangerous precedent and is a disturbing trend following the Manila Water and Maynilad consortium agreement controversy.
The group said the issue will “cause a crisis of confidence in our regulatory environment being reckless and unstable.”
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/02/16/solons-demand-house-action-on-abs-cbn-franchise/
ABS-CBN to have ‘time and day’ in House for franchise renewal –solon
House Committee on Legislative Franchises Vice-Chair Tonypet Albano on Sunday assured ABS-CBN Corporation that it would have its "time and day" at the chamber for deliberations on the measures seeking its franchise's renewal.
In a statement, Albano echoed Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano's claim that timing was essential in dealing with the renewal of the broadcast giant's franchise due to its "complexities."
He maintained that although ABS-CBN's franchise was expiring on March 30, Congress had enough time to discuss it within the whole term of the 18th Congress, up to June 30, 2022, due to the pending bills.
"Therefore, it is imperative that the timing and scheduling for the committee hearing has to be perfect, right, and conducive... lest we sacrifice the station due to all these animosities and negative emotions that are hounding it today," Albano said.
"Worse, we suddenly might end up rejecting the network’s franchise to the detriment of the 11,000 employees and families that rely on the network for their very livelihood if we rush this," he added.
Albano also reiterated that the 18th Congress was not a rubber stamp of President Rodrigo Duterte, despite Duterte being their coalition leader.
The lawmaker added that they would merely listen to the President's statements, which they could either adopt or disregard.
"If we were really a rubber stamp of the President as our critics claim, then we should have just calendared the hearing of the ABS-CBN franchise and outright reject it due to the large number of complaints that the network is facing from politicians, businessmen, businesses, actors, producers, and many more," he said.
"Additionally, if indeed we are not independent-minded, why should we in the very strong house majority 'kowtow' when we have the numbers and can muster enough votes to vote out the franchise?" he added.
Albano said that scheduling the hearing for the ABS-CBN franchise bills for Monday did not guarantee its renewal. At the same time, each lawmaker also had their own pet national and local bills that were more pressing and took a lot of their time.
"Now, do we immediately calendar the ABS-CBN franchise bill when we have two more years to finish it, ahead of the above more important work affecting millions of our countrymen this very day and hour? Or should we prioritize our work in Congress to accommodate more pressing bills with important life-threatening situations?" he asked.
"There will be a proper time and timing for ABS-CBN to be heard in the Franchise committee with the intentions of having a thorough, fair and honest-to-good hearing. We intend to give ABS CBN its intended 'time and day' to answer all the critics, and to debate throughly on the merits of the case at hand, in order to make sure that the committee report is not only fair, but good for all stakeholders," he added.
Last Monday, Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a quo warranto petition seeking to revoke its franchise due to alleged foreign ownership and bypassing of authority of the NTC.
The ABS-CBN has maintained that it has not violated any law. — Erwin Colcol/DVM, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/726186/abs-cbn-to-have-time-and-day-in-congress-for-franchise-renewal-solon/story/
In a statement, Albano echoed Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano's claim that timing was essential in dealing with the renewal of the broadcast giant's franchise due to its "complexities."
He maintained that although ABS-CBN's franchise was expiring on March 30, Congress had enough time to discuss it within the whole term of the 18th Congress, up to June 30, 2022, due to the pending bills.
"Therefore, it is imperative that the timing and scheduling for the committee hearing has to be perfect, right, and conducive... lest we sacrifice the station due to all these animosities and negative emotions that are hounding it today," Albano said.
"Worse, we suddenly might end up rejecting the network’s franchise to the detriment of the 11,000 employees and families that rely on the network for their very livelihood if we rush this," he added.
Albano also reiterated that the 18th Congress was not a rubber stamp of President Rodrigo Duterte, despite Duterte being their coalition leader.
The lawmaker added that they would merely listen to the President's statements, which they could either adopt or disregard.
"If we were really a rubber stamp of the President as our critics claim, then we should have just calendared the hearing of the ABS-CBN franchise and outright reject it due to the large number of complaints that the network is facing from politicians, businessmen, businesses, actors, producers, and many more," he said.
"Additionally, if indeed we are not independent-minded, why should we in the very strong house majority 'kowtow' when we have the numbers and can muster enough votes to vote out the franchise?" he added.
Albano said that scheduling the hearing for the ABS-CBN franchise bills for Monday did not guarantee its renewal. At the same time, each lawmaker also had their own pet national and local bills that were more pressing and took a lot of their time.
"Now, do we immediately calendar the ABS-CBN franchise bill when we have two more years to finish it, ahead of the above more important work affecting millions of our countrymen this very day and hour? Or should we prioritize our work in Congress to accommodate more pressing bills with important life-threatening situations?" he asked.
"There will be a proper time and timing for ABS-CBN to be heard in the Franchise committee with the intentions of having a thorough, fair and honest-to-good hearing. We intend to give ABS CBN its intended 'time and day' to answer all the critics, and to debate throughly on the merits of the case at hand, in order to make sure that the committee report is not only fair, but good for all stakeholders," he added.
Last Monday, Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a quo warranto petition seeking to revoke its franchise due to alleged foreign ownership and bypassing of authority of the NTC.
The ABS-CBN has maintained that it has not violated any law. — Erwin Colcol/DVM, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/726186/abs-cbn-to-have-time-and-day-in-congress-for-franchise-renewal-solon/story/
Beauty & Beyond
DMark Beauty Corp. made waves beyond Metro Manila as it brought its well-received “Beauty and Beyond, Anti-Aging and Aesthetics Workshop” to the culinary capital of the Philippines — Pampanga.
The workshop, held at the Choi Garden Restaurant of Royce Hotel in Clark, Pampanga, was led by hardworking “beautypreneur,” DMark Beauty Corp. and DermAsia Corp. CEO Nikki Tang and managing director Charles Mandy.
It was a wonderful day of discussing the latest trends and updates in anti-aging and aesthetics from the country’s top dermatologists.
Congratulations for another successful workshop, dear Nikki!
https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/allure/2020/02/16/1993387/beauty-beyond
The workshop, held at the Choi Garden Restaurant of Royce Hotel in Clark, Pampanga, was led by hardworking “beautypreneur,” DMark Beauty Corp. and DermAsia Corp. CEO Nikki Tang and managing director Charles Mandy.
It was a wonderful day of discussing the latest trends and updates in anti-aging and aesthetics from the country’s top dermatologists.
Congratulations for another successful workshop, dear Nikki!
https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/allure/2020/02/16/1993387/beauty-beyond
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)