ABS-CBN 2 Sked (2020)

Monday-Friday


3:55 am - Kape't Pandasal
4 am - Gising Pilipinas (Anchored by Jeffrey Hernaez and Johnson Manabat)

From March 16 to April 2, 2020

5 am - Garantisadong Balita (Anchored by Gerry Baja)
6 am - Kabayan (Anchored by Noli de Castro)
7 am - Radyo Patrol Balita Alas-Siyete (Anchored by Noli de Castro and Ted Failon)
7:30 am - Kabayan (continuation) (Anchored by Noli de Castro)

From April 3, 2020 to present

5 am - ANC Rundown

5:30 am - Early Edition
8 am - Magandang Buhay (Hosted by Karla Estrada, Melai Cantiveros and Jolina Magdangal) (Live)

9 am -

Monday: 

Tuesday and Thursday: Epol/Apple

Wednesday: Hirayamanawari

Friday: Bayani

9:30 am - Sineskwela

10 am - 

Monday, Wednesday and Friday:

Tuesday and Thursday: Mathdali (Hosted by Robi Domingo)

10:30 am -
11 am - Today with Kris Aquino (Hosted by Kris Aquino) (Live)
12 nn - Magandang Tanghali, Bayan! (Hosted by Randy Santiago, John Estrada, Willie Revillame, Roderick Paulate, Vanessa del Bianco, Amy Perez-Castillo, Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, Claudine Barretto-Santiago, Jolina Magdangal-Escueta, Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio, Marvin Agustin, G. Toengi-Walters, Diether Ocampo, Wowie de Guzman, Belinda Panelo, Bayani Agbayani, Gary Lim, Dominic Ochoa, Vina Morales, Angela Velez, Camille Prats-Yambao, Dennis Padilla, Michelle Bayle, Karel Marquez, Aurora Halili, Bojo Molina, The Powerboys, Marissa Sanchez, Anne Curtis-Heussaff, Chary Lopez, Kiray Celis, Mylene Dizon, Regine Tolentino, Kaye Abad-Castillo, Paula Peralejo, Toni Gonzaga-Soriano, Pokwang, Bianca Manalo, John Prats, Matteo Guidicelli and Melai Cantiveros-Francisco plus dance performers Hashtags and GirlTrends / GT) (Live)
1:30 pm - SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon (Hosted by Boy Abunda and Kris Aquino) (Live)
2:30 pm - Drama / Star Music Video
3 pm - Telenovela
3:30 pm - Anime
4 pm - Shoutout! (Hosted by Erich Gonzales, Enchong Dee, Robi Domingo, Sam Concepcion, Arron Villaflor, and Empress Schuck) (Live)
5 pm - Failon Ngayon (Hosted by Ted Failon) (Live)
5:30 pm - Rated K: Handa Na Ba Kayo? (Hosted by Korina Sanchez) (Live)
6 pm - TV Patrol (Anchored by Julius Babao, Bernadette Sembrano and Ted Failon) (Live)
6:30 pm - Drama
7 pm - Drama
7:30 pm - Drama
8 pm - Pilipinas, Game Ka Na Ba? (Hosted by Edu Manzano)
8:30 pm -
Monday: OK Fine, 'To Ang Gusto Nyo! (Starring Aga Muhlach, Edu Manzano, Bayani Agbayani, Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio, Nikki Valdez, Michelle Bayle, Heart Evangelista-Escudero, Onyok Velasco and Christian Vasquez)
Tuesday: Oka Tokat (Starring Paul Salas, Sue Anna Ramirez, Jane Oineza, Joshua Colet and Makisig Morales)
Wednesday: Toda Max (Starring Vhong Navarro, Robin Padilla, Angel Locsin and Pokwang)
Thursday: Attagirl (Starring Vanessa Del Bianco, Andrea del Rosario, Desiree del Valle, Michelle Bayle and Jessa Zaragosa-Avanzado)
Friday: Banana Split (Starring Angelica Panganiban, John Prats, Jayson Gainza, Pooh, Badjie Mortiz, Pokwang, Ryan Bang, Jobert Austria, Sunshine Garcia, JC de Vera, Aiko Climaco, Ritz Azul, Wacky Kiray and Barbie Imperial)

10 pm -
Monday: STAR Mini-Series
Tuesday: Bora (Starring Piolo Pascual, Diether Ocampo, Jericho Rosales, Bernard Palanca, Carlos Agassi, Roderick Paulate and Luis Manzano)
Wednesday: Whattamen (Starring Marvin Agustin, Dominic Ochoa, and Ai-Ai de las Alas-Sibayan)
Thursday: Maalaala Mo Kaya? (Hosted by Charo Santos-Concio)
Friday: Call Me Tita (Starring Cherry Pie Picache, Agot Isidro, Mylene Dizon, Joanna Ampil, with Angelica Panganiban)
11 pm -
Thursday: Nagmamahal, Kapamilya (Hosted by Bernadette Sembrano)

11:30 pm - The World Tonight (Anchored by Tina Monzon-Palma, Tony Velasquez and Karen Davila) (Live)
12 mn -
Monday: XXX: Exklusibong, Explosibong, Exposé (Hosted by Julius Babao, Zen Hernandez and Anthony Taberna)
Tuesday: The Correspondents (Hosted by Karen Davila and Abner Mercado)
Wednesday: Oh No! It's Johnny! (Hosted by Johnny Litton, Maurice Arcache and Issa Litton)
Thursday: Ryan, Ryan Musikahan (Hosted by Ryan Cayabyab)
Friday: S.O.C.O. (Scene of The Crime Operatives) (Hosted by Gus Abelgas)
1 am - Martin Late at Night (Hosted by Martin Nievera)
1:30 am -
Monday: Executive Class
Tuesday: Green Living
Wednesday: My Puhunan
Thursday: Dayaw
Friday: Green Living
2 am to 3:55 am - O Shopping

Saturday

4 am - O Shopping
5 am - Kape at Salita (Hosted by Bro. Bo Sanchez, Bro. Alvin Barcelona, Bro. Randy Borromeo, and Sr. Rissa Singson-Kawpeng)
6 am - Salamat Dok (Hosted by Bernadette Sembrano and Alvin Elchico)
7 am - Family Rosary Crusade (Hosted by Rev. Fr. Allan Samonte) (Blocktimer)
8 am - Ang Iglesia ni Cristo (Blocktimer)
8:30 am - Dok Ricky, Pedia (Starring Dominic Ochoa, Louise Abuel, Yen Santos and Alessandra de Rossi)
9 am - Sarap TV
9:30 am - Kulilits (Hosted by Chacha Cañete, Bugoy Cariño and Izzy Canillo)
10 am - Coke Studio
10:30 am - At Home Ka Dito (Hosted by Charlene Gonzales-Muhlach)
11:30 am - Perfect Moments (Hosted by Jodi Sta. Maria, Angel Jacob and Rosanne Prieto)
12 nn - Magandang Tanghali, Bayan! (Hosted by Randy Santiago, John Estrada, Willie Revillame, Roderick Paulate, Vanessa del Bianco, Amy Perez-Castillo, Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, Claudine Barretto-Santiago, Jolina Magdangal-Escueta, Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio, Marvin Agustin, G. Toengi-Walters, Diether Ocampo, Wowie de Guzman, Belinda Panelo, Bayani Agbayani, Gary Lim, Dominic Ochoa, Vina Morales, Angela Velez, Camille Prats, Dennis Padilla, Michelle Bayle, Karel Marquez, Aurora Halili, Bojo Molina, The Powerboys, Marissa Sanchez, Anne Curtis-Heussaff, Chary Lopez, Kiray Celis, Mylene Dizon, Regine Tolentino, Kaye Abad-Castillo, Paula Peralejo, Toni Gonzaga-Soriano, Pokwang, Bianca Manalo, John Prats, Matteo Guidicelli and Melai Cantiveros-Francisco plus dance performers Hashtags and GirlTrends / GT)
2:30 pm - Entertainment Live! (Hosted by Bianca Gonzalez, Toni Gonzaga-Soriano, Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla, Luis Manzano, Nikki Gil-Albert and Ogie Diaz)
4 pm - STAR Magic Presents
5 pm - Gokada Let's Go! (Starring Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, Gina Pareño, Matteo Guidicelli, Eda Nolan, Joem Bascon, Alex Gonzaga, Bangs Garcia, Badjie Mortiz, Kontin Roque, Jana Pablo and Dianne Medina)
5:30 pm - Knowledge Power (Hosted by Kim Atienza)
6 pm - Magandang Gabi, Bayan (Hosted by Noli de Castro) (Live)
7 pm - Home Sweetie Home (Starring John Lloyd Cruz, Ellen Adarna, Toni Gonzaga-Soriano, Alex Gonzaga, Miles Ocampo, Clarence Delgado, Allegra Valiente, Bayani Agbayani, Rio Locsin, Edgar Mortiz, Jobert Austria, Nonong Ballinan, Fumiya Sankai, Yamyam Gucong and Jordan Ford)
8 pm - Game/Reality Show
Celebrity Duets: Philippine Edition (Hosted by Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez)
Kakasa Ka Ba sa Grade 5? (Hosted by Janno Gibbs)
Idol Philippines (Hosted by Billy Crawford)
The Kids' Choice
Little Big Shots (Hosted by Billy Crawford)
Pilipinas Got Talent (Hosted by Billy Crawford and Luis Manzano)
Pinoy Boyband Superstar (Hosted by Billy Crawford)
Search for the Star in a Million
Star Power: Sharon's Search for the Next Female Pop Superstar (Hosted by Sharon Cuneta, Erik Santos, and Christian Bautista)
The Voice of the Philippines (Hosted by Toni Gonzaga, Alex Gonzaga, Robi Domingo)
The Voice Kids
The Voice Teens (Hosted by Alex Gonzaga and Luis Manzano)
The X Factor Philippines (Hosted by KC Concepcion)
U Can Dance (Hosted by Iya Villania and Derek Ramsay)
World of Dance Philippines (Hosted by Luis Manzano and Pia Wurtzbach)
Your Face Sounds Familiar
Your Face Sounds Familiar: Kids
Your Moment
9 pm - Arriba, Arriba! (Starring Jolina Magdangal-Escueta with Camille Prats-Yambao, Sandy Andolong-de Leon, John Lapus and Rufa Mae Quinto-Magallanes)
10 pm - Bida si Mister, Bida si Misis (Starring Vhong Navarro, Cesar Montano and Maricel Soriano)
11 pm - Laugh Out Loud (Hosted by Luis Manzano and Alodia Gosiengfiao)
12 mn - The Bottomline with Boy Abunda
1 am - F (Hosted by Cheska Garcia-Kramer, Angel Aquino, Daphne Osena-Paez and Amanda Griffin)
1:30 am - Sports Unlimited (Hosted by Dyan Castillejo and Marc Nelson)
2:30 to 4 am - O Shopping

Sunday

4 am - O Shopping
5:30 am - Pluma (Blocktimer)
6 am - Salamat Dok (Hosted by Bernadette Sembrano and Alvin Elchico)
7 am - Sunday TV Mass: The Healing Eucharist
8 am - Cinema, Cinema, Cinema (Blocktimer)
8:30 am - Bakbakan (Hosted by Dyan Castillejo)
9:30 am - Matanglawin (Hosted by Kim Atienza)
10:30 am - G Diaries (Hosted by Ernie Lopez)
11 am - StarStudio (Drama Anthology)
12 nn - A.S.A.P. (Hosted by Martin Nievera, Vhong Navarro, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Piolo Pascual, Vina Morales, Luis Manzano, Erik Santos, Gary Valenciano, Sarah Geronimo, Toni Gonzaga, Billy Crawford, Robi Domingo, Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez-Alcasid) (Live)
2 pm - Your Song presents
3 pm - Love Spell presents
4 pm - The Buzz (Hosted by Boy Abunda, Kris Aquino and Toni Gonzaga) (Live)
6 pm - Sharon (Hosted by Sharon Cuneta) (Live)
7 pm -
Wansapanatym
Komiks presents
Agimat: Ang Alamat ni Ramon Revilla
8 pm - Game/Reality Show
Celebrity Duets: Philippine Edition
Kakasa Ka Ba sa Grade 5?
Idol Philippines
The Kids' Choice
Little Big Shots
Pilipinas Got Talent
Pinoy Boyband Superstar
Search for the Star in a Million
Star Power
The Voice of the Philippines
The Voice Kids
The Voice Teens
The X Factor Philippines
U Can Dance
World of Dance Philippines
Your Face Sounds Familiar
Your Face Sounds Familiar: Kids
Your Moment
9 pm - Everybody, Sing! (Hosted by Vice Ganda)
10 pm - Sunday’s Best
12 mn - Business and Leisure (Hosted by Ray Louis Gamboa and Suzy Gamboa)
1 am - Urban Zone (Hosted by Daphne Oseña Paez)
1:30 am to 3:55 am - O Shopping

DepEd allows schools to hold graduation, moving-up rites once ECQ is lifted

The Department of Education (DepEd) said that schools may push through with end-of-school-year (EOSY) rites on the second week of April or once the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon and in other areas have been lifted.

In a statement, DepEd said that when it comes to the conduct of EOSY rites the “schools may hold their moving up, graduation, or recognition rites in the week of April 15 to 17, 2020,” since the tentative resumption of classes is scheduled on April 15 according to the Memo from the Office of the President.

DepEd stressed, however, that should schools decide to hold their moving up, graduation, or recognition rites, the activities should be “pursuant to applicable social distancing measures in the locality as directed by relevant national and local authorities.”

Based on DepEd Order no. 002, s. of 2020, or the Multi-Year Implementing Guidelines on the Conduct of the K to 12 Basic Education Program End-of-School-Year Rites issued by Education Secretary Leonor Briones, this year’s guidelines will cover Kindergarten, Grade 6, Grade 10, and Grade 12 learners who “meet the curriculum requirements at the end of each school year.”

For the School Year 2019-2020, Briones said that the EOSY rites shall focus on the theme, “Sulong Edukalidad: Pagtataguyod sa Kinabukasan ng Bayan” (Sulong Edukalidad: Championing the Nation’s Future), which highlights the “essential role of quality education in helping Filipino learners achieve their full potential in order to fulfill their dreams and contribute meaningfully to nation-building.”

The said guidelines for EOSY apply to both public and private schools nationwide. Moving up ceremonies may be conducted for those who complete Kindergarten and Grade 10, while graduation rites may be held for Grade 6 and Grade 12 learners.

Like in previous years, DepEd enjoins all schools to hold “simple but meaningful” ceremonies. “While these rites mark a milestone in the lives of the learners, these should be conducted without excessive spending, extravagant attire, or extraordinary venue.”

Likewise, DepEd warned schools that non-academic projects and participation to other schools events should not be imposed as requirements for graduation or completion. In particular, public schools were reminded that “no DepEd personnel shall be allowed to collect any kind of contribution or fee for the graduation or moving up ceremony.”

Moreover, DepEd reminded that the EOSY rites must conducted in an “appropriate and solemn ceremony” befitting the learners and their parents and “shall not be used as a political forum.”

DepEd has also came up with a Certificate Generator, which will facilitate the preparation and printing of certificates of completion and diplomas in public elementary and secondary schools nationwide.

Meanwhile, DepEd clarified that schools may also “choose to reschedule or forego the holding of the rites within the said period,” in consultation with their respective Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) leadership.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/04/03/deped-allows-schools-to-hold-graduation-moving-up-rites-once-ecq-is-lifted/

IATF hopes DZMM could resume operations soon

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles hopes that ABS-CBN’s flagship AM radio station DZMM will return on-air soon as he recognized the vital role of the media in delivering updates to the public amid the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Nograles, who is also the spokesman for the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, said the media was important in keeping the public updated about the government’s efforts to contain the deadly disease.

“Malaki po ang tulong ng media (The media is a big help) in our efforts to inform our countrymen about the latest developments in government efforts to address the current public health crisis, so we hope that you will be back on the air soon,” he said in his Friday virtual presser.

On Wednesday, ABS-CBN announced the temporary suspension of DZMM’s operations because some of its employees had to undergo a 14-day quarantine after being exposed to two persons under investigation (PUIs) for COVID-19.

“Pinauwi na ang lahat ng tao sa studio at mga pasilidad ng DZMM para sa gagawing disinfection. Ang mga kawaning hindi nalantad ay magtatrabaho mula sa kanilang bahay (Everyone in the studio and other facilities of DZMM were already sent home for the disinfection. Those who were not exposed to the PUIs will work from their homes),” ABS-CBN wrote in its statement.

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN assured the public that it will still receive the latest information through ANC and DZMM TeleRadyo’s official social media accounts.

“Patuloy na isa-simulcast ng DZMM ang mga programa ng ANC hanggang manumbalik ang operasyon nito (DZMM will continue to air the programs of ANC until DZMM resumes its operations),” it said.

“Hinihingi namin ang pang-unawa ng lahat sa aming mga gagawing hakbang upang masiguro ang kaligtasan at kalusugan ng aming mga Kapamilya (We ask for understanding for the measures that we have to undertake to ensure the safety and health of our Kapamilyas),” it added.

DZMM was not the first media outfit to temporarily go off-air due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 18, CNN Philippines announced that it would temporarily stop broadcasting after another tenant of the building where it is located confirmed a COVID-19 patient was at its premises.

The management of the Worldwide Corporate Center along Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City— where CNN Philippines is housed — will be disinfecting the building occupied by a number of other companies. As a result, CNN Philippines will be off the air for at least 24 hours.

CNN Philippines, however, continued to provide news through its websites, social media accounts, and its Viber communities. Its anchors likewise held their programs from their homes and aired over its social media channels.

“We have prepared for this emergency. For more than two weeks, many of our colleagues have been isolated and working from home already,” CNN Philippines said in a statement.

“We took that step in anticipation of something like this to happen. CNN Philippines still has a team working to gather stories that matter and to bring them to you as they happen,” it added.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/04/03/iatf-hopes-dzmm-could-resume-operations-soon/

Comelec suspends preparations for Palawan plebiscite

The coronavirus outbreak has forced the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to suspend all preparatory activities leading to the May 11 plebiscite that would ratify the division of Palawan into 3 separate provinces.

In a memorandum dated March 25, the Comelec en banc cited the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine as the primary reason for the suspension of the activities. Acting Comelec Secretary Consuelo Diola signed the memorandum, which was released to the media only on April 2.

The suspension takes effect immediately, the Comelec said.

Republic Act No. 11259, which divides Palawan into Palawan Del Norte, Palawan Oriental and Palawan Del Sur, was signed by President Duterte in April last year.

Last week, pro-division Governor Jose Alvarez formally requested the Comelec to postpone the plebiscite until the outbreak is contained, based on the earlier recommendation of the provincial board.

Cynthia Sumagaysay- del Rosario of One Palawan Movement also said that the group has requested for the postponement or cancellation of the plebiscite because of the pandemic.

“The quarantine period can be useful for the people to contemplate on what is happening around them. What we have been saying about governance is so evident now, the roles of the municipalities and barangays in the delivery of basic services are being highlighted. Some local leaders excel while some disappoint. The quality of leadership or governance has become the main issue. Dividing the province has become irrelevant,” del Rosario said.

Palawan recorded its first coronavirus case on March 21, a 26-year-old male Australian tourist who flew out of Puerto Princesa City on March 17 through a “mercy flight” to Clark via Airswift.

Public and private hospitals in the province have also been readied to receive patients under investigation (PUIs) and COVID-19 cases.

As of late Thursday afternoon, April 2, the Department of Health (DOH) said there are 2,633 coronavirus cases nationwide, 107 of whom have died while 51 have recovered.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/256835-comelec-suspends-preparations-palawan-plebiscite-coronavirus-april-2020

Pandemic prompts PSA to move back decade census from May 4 to May 18

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has delayed the conduct of the country’s decade census in light of the coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa told the BusinessMirror that the start of the Census of Population and Housing (CPH) has been moved to May 18 from the initial announcement of May 4.

However, Mapa said, the situation will be assessed by April 14 if there will be further changes in the conduct of the CPH this year.

“The original start of the census is May 4, we will move it to May 18. Subject, of course, to evaluation after April 14,” Mapa said in a text message to the BusinessMirror on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the PSA announced the suspension of the recruitment and hiring process for census workers and the series of training for field operations in preparation for the conduct of the 2020 CPH.

The hiring and recruitment of personnel such as enumerators was temporarily suspended until the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is lifted.

The PSA assured the public that they will monitor the Covid-19 outbreak and adjust field operations in the 2020 CPH as necessary. This will be done following the guidance of national and local health authorities.

“This measure is being done to help protect the health and safety of the public, PSA employees, census workers including those from the Department of Education, and other partners/stakeholders,” the PSA said.

The 2020 CPH will be the 15th census of population and 7th census of housing to be undertaken in the country since the first census in 1903.

According to Batas Pampanga Blog. 72, the PSA is given the authority to conduct population censuses every 5 years beginning in 1980.

The CPH refers to the entire process of collecting, compiling, evaluating, analyzing, publishing, and disseminating data about the population and living quarters in a country.

It entails the listing and recording of the characteristics of each individual and each living quarter as of a specified time and within a specified territory.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/04/02/pandemic-prompts-psa-to-move-back-decade-census-from-may-4-to-may-18/

Diokno sees reason to lift ‘strict ECQ’

By Noreen Jazul

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno said “there is a reason” for the government to lift the “very strict” enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in connection with the fight against COVID-19.

In an interview with CNN Philippines on Thursday, Diokno said Luzon and regions placed under quarantine can go into a “transition period” after April 14 to allow more economic activity in the country.

“Agriculture can proceed, and some manufacturing. We can operate now the MRT (Metro Rail Transit) and LRT (Light Rail Transit), and some buses,” Diokno said.

Malls on the other hand must remain closed, according to Diokno.

“We can open some restaurants, but it will be strictly for take out or maybe deliveries,” he added.

Diokno said the government can also partially open some businesses starting April 15.

“Maybe [after] another month then we can go on normalization mode after that,” he said.

Diokno, however, clarified that during the “transition period,” lessening of people in the streets will still continue.

“There will still be a lot of work from home, classes will remain closed, no sports events, concerts, things like that,” he said.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/04/02/diokno-sees-reason-to-lift-strict-ecq/

BSP governor eyes ’restarting’ PH economy by mid-May or early June

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno said the government should focus on containing the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 in April, before “restarting” the economy by mid-May or early June.

Diokno said in a message there would be an “enormous risk in restarting the economy prematurely” and that the remaining days of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon would be critical.

“If we do things right, we should be in the process of restarting the economy by mid-May or early June,” Diokno said. He said these were his personal views and did not represent those of the Inter-Agency Task Force.

“The government should use the next 14 days in testing, identifying the persons under investigation and the persons under monitoring, and seriously separating them from the healthy population,” he said.

Diokno said a new phase (from April 15 to May 25) could follow the quarantine period (ending April 14). He said in this stage, with new data from testing serious tracing of social interactions, the ECS could be done at the barangay level.

He said under the new phase traveling by air, sea and land and inter-island movement would be restricted. Checkpoints at barangay levels would be dismantled and LRT and MRT would be allowed to run.

The government for a limited period may operate a limited fleet of buses. The buses maybe allowed to operate in Greater Metro Manila—meaning Metro Manila plus the provinces of Cavite, Bulacan, Rizal and Laguna.

He said only those with ID authorized by the IATF would be allowed to take public transport while other forms of public transport would continue to be banned.

Meanwhile, schools at all levels will remain closed and office hours will be staggered. Essential public sector workers will work from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and essential private sector workers will work from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Malls, theaters, gyms will be closed and sports events, concerts and the like will continue to be banned.

Farming and fishery activities will continue to be allowed and manufacturing activities involving essential goods (food, drugs, exports, etc.) may resume operations, depending on which the Trade Department chooses.

“Banks and other financial institutions [like pawnshops, online payment operators like GCash or PayMaya, money transfers and the likes] should continue to function. The stock market should operate. This early, the IATF should plan on how Phase 2 would look like,” Diokno said.

He said Phase 3—that involves the restarting of the economy—should be crafted by the Expanded Economic Team headed by the National Economic and Development Authority.

Its members are the Finance Department, Budget Department, DTI, Public Works Department, Agriculture Department, Energy Department, Tourism Department, Environment Department and Housing Department.

“This early, the EET should be mobilized,” Diokno said.

Diokno was among those present in an IATF meeting early this week to discuss the direction of the country after the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon ends on April 12.

IATF was eyeing a “selective lockdown” and gradual resumption of economic activity when the lockdown ends, wary of a more damaging effect to the economy if another national lockdown happens.

https://manilastandard.net/business/economy-trade/320844/bsp-governor-eyes-restarting-ph-economy-by-mid-may-or-early-june.html

Año on extension of quarantine: Not advisable

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said that the extension of the enhanced community quarantine over Luzon is not “advisable,” as he noted that the ECQ is already working to curb the further spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Año said that while the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases will still discuss possible measures once the 30-day lockdown is over, an extension is not recommended.

“It’s not advisable to extend the lockdown because our economy will suffer greatly. Let’s take the remaining two weeks seriously so we can solve this,” he said in Filipino in an interview with dzBB.

A longer lockdown period may be considered if there is exponential increase in novel coronavirus-positive cases and fatalities, especially in Visayas and Mindanao.

Año added that the IATF will determine the COVID-19 case threshold and other factors that could possibly mean an extension of the lockdown.

He said that strict implementation of preventive measures, such as lockdown curfews, social distancing and wearing of masks, should be observed in the last two weeks of the ECQ so that its positive effects could really be seen.

“For the next two weeks as we implement the mask and social distancing, and lockdown, it (cases of infection) should go down. From there, the IATF and national task force will discuss the measures that need to be done for us to have zero cases,” Año said.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government chief said that the ECQ, which has reached midpoint, is working to flatten the curve of the pandemic.

He noted that initial projections without the lockdown, considering data from other COVID-19 stricken countries such as Italy and Spain, pointed to 20,000 cases in the country by this point.

“If we hadn’t done the lockdown we could have reached 20,000 cases right now. Our lockdown is truly working,” Año added.

Año himself is in self-quarantine as he was in contact with at least four COVID-19 positive individuals, most of whom are ranking government officials.

He noted that once the 30-day lockdown is over, there could be other measures such as an incremental opening of establishments to ensure that the government can positively respond amid the public health crisis.

ECQ violators apprehended

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Froilan Quidilla, director of Police Regional Office 9 (PRO), said since the ECQ implementation on March 17, at least 445 individuals were apprehended for violation of curfew hours in the Zamboanga peninsula.

 Quidilla said 39 others were arrested for disobedience, violating protocols at checkpoints and non-compliance with the ECQ.

He added that crimes in the region have gone down by almost 50 percent, compared to the same period last year, since the strict enforcement of the ECQ. Automotive incidents also went down to eight, compared to 51 in the same period last year.

In Dagupan City, at least 18 persons were rounded up on Sunday in different areas in Pangasinan for violating the ECQ.

Nabbed for violation of Articles 148 and 151 of the Revised Penal Code were three each in Dagupan City and Basista, eight in Villasis, one each in Urdaneta City and Anda, and two in Malasiqui.

In Barangay Poblacion, Sual, Pangasinan, seven men who came from Taguig City were nabbed after they rode on a 10-wheeler truck. The individuals allegedly begged for a ride going into town and intentionally evaded several checkpoints.

Ease mental suffering

Sen. Leila de Lima said yesterday that measures to ease the mental, emotional and psychological burden that people endure during the ECQ period should be part of the government’s crisis response plan.

After about three weeks of ECQ, the senator said proper and effective implementation of Republic Act 11036 or the “Mental Health Act” should be an integral part of the national strategy against COVID-19.

“Let’s please check on one another, even those who we think are the strong ones. While obliged to keep physical distance from each other, may we not be socially disconnected from one another,” she added. – With Roel Pareño, Eva Visperas, Cecille Suerte Felipe

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/03/31/2004447/ao-extension-quarantine-not-advisable

Marikina finds new place for Covid-19 testing center

Marikina City Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro on Monday inspected a two-story building it will recommended to the Department of Health (DOH) as the city’s new coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) testing center.

He said the newly-constructed 160-square meter building is located in a not populated but accessible area along Bayan-Bayanan Avenue in Barangay Concepcion Uno.

"This is a freestanding structure. Hindi populated 'yung (not populated) area, accessible. It is located along a main avenue in Marikina. In terms of location, mukha ito ang suitable na sinasabi nila (I think it is suitable as they (DOH) said),” he said in a statement.

Teodoro assured his constituents the risk assessment template and protocol of biohazard measures are strictly followed by the local government.

“Mayroon tayong (We followed) risk assessment template na sinunod of highest standard and strict adherence to the protocol of biohazard measures ang pinapa-implement natin dito (implemented here),” he said.

“Hindi lang doon sa in terms of trained personnel na mayroon tayo, hindi lang 'yung work process kundi pati ang layout ng laboratory ay sumusunod doon sa biohazard safety (Not only in terms of trained personnel that we have, not only the work process but the layout of the laboratory are based on biohazard safety),” he added.

He said a dedicated ambulance for Marikina Covid-19 testing center will be on standby at the facility.

Earlier, the DOH disapproved the Marikina Covid-19 Testing Center located at the Marikina City Health Office (CHO), saying the local government should build a separate building for the facility to be operational.

The DOH recommended that the Covid-19 testing facility should be placed outside the CHO so that cross-infection will be minimized, and less foot traffic will be observed for the protection of staff and Marikina residents.

Teodoro said the new testing center has no other offices and clinics.

“Ang narito lang ay ang laboratory. Kaya ang tao lang makikita rito at ang mga pathologists, medical technologists, at lab technicians (What we have here is the laboratory only. So, what you can see are only the pathologists, medical technologists and laboratory technicians),” he said.

Kennedy Sueno, City’s Engineer Office chief, said the new Marikina Covid-19 Testing Center will be completed within two weeks.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1098269

Postponement of Palawan division plebiscite sought

The provincial legislature has called for a special session on Friday and is expected to pass a resolution allowing Governor Jose Alvarez to petition the COMELEC for the postponement of the plebiscite.

The provincial government is set to ask the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to postpone a scheduled plebiscite in May to resolve the issue of dividing Palawan into three separate smaller provinces.

The provincial legislature has called for a special session on Friday and is expected to pass a resolution allowing Governor Jose Alvarez to petition the COMELEC for the postponement of the plebiscite.

Vice Governor Dennis Socrates, in a letter notice to the provincial board, stated that the agenda was made upon the request of Governor Alvarez.

Earlier, the civil society group One Palawan opposing the planned division of the province also requested Malacañang to postpone the plebiscite.

“The huge amount of P80 million intended for the plebiscite can be used instead for more immediate needs of the people of Palawan. These are trying times and canceling the Palawan plebiscite will complement President Duterte’s recent declaration of public health emergency to combat COVID-19,” Cynthia Sumagaysay, a lead campaigner for One Palawan, stated in the group’s social media page.

The referendum was set to ratify Republic Act No. 11259 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on April 5, 2019, which partitions Palawan into three provinces namely Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan del Sur.

Under the law, Palawan del Norte will be composed of the municipalities of Coron, Culion, Busuanga, Linapacan, Taytay, and El Nido; Palawan Oriental by Roxas, Araceli, Dumaran, Cuyo, Agutaya, Magsaysay, Cagayancillo, and San Vicente; and Palawan del Sur by Aborlan, Narra, Quezon, Rizal, Sofronio Española, Brooke’s Point, Bataraza, Balabac, and Kalayaan.

The Capitol had set aside a budget of P80-million for the holding of the plebiscite.

https://palawan-news.com/postponement-of-palawan-division-plebiscite-sought/

DILG chief ‘confident’ Luzon-wide quarantine lifted by April 12

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año is “confident” that the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine to contain the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) will be lifted on April 12 but said it will be still subject to government’s assessment.

“That we have to assess, but I’m confident that we can,” he said in a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday.

Even after the quarantine is lifted, he said the government will continue to strictly enforce social distancing of at least six feet apart from each other.

“Of course, it doesn’t mean that’s the end of the spread. We have to still continue the practice of strict social distancing,” he said.

He said social distancing should also be observed by residents in the islands of Visayas and Mindanao, which are not covered by the national government’s quarantine.

Since the quarantine has yet to be lifted, he said “draconian” measures are needed to prevent a sharp peak of Covid-19 cases.

“Draconian measures ang kailangan natin para mag-flatten ang curve and ma-contain natin if not eliminate the spread of the virus (Draconian measures is needed to flatten the curve and contain if not eliminate the spread of the virus),” he said.

Citing studies by the World Health Organization (WHO), he said the number of Covid-19 cases in the country could reach 75,000 in five months if efforts to contain the spread of the virus fail.

Goals

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, in the same media briefing, said by April 12, the goal is for the government to report that it has been able to contain Covid-19 by isolating all infected persons and maintaining zero cases in more communities.

“The victory we want to happen is hindi na siya mag-spread (there is no further spread), there are hopefully no new cases happening and just like in Wuhan kung saan wala nang (where there are no) new cases and then naka-focus na sila sa (they focus on) treatment (and recovery),” he said.

Last March 18, China's health commission announced that there were no more local transmissions of Covid-19 for the first time since the outbreak began. The new cases reported were all overseas arrivals.

In the Philippines, there are a total of 636 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Philippines and 38 fatalities as of Wednesday afternoon.

Nograles said it is too early to think of further extending the quarantine to a much later date.

“Instead of looking at that, I think we really just have to concentrate on social distancing measure, kung ano yung nasa (what’s in the) guidelines. Tsaka na natin isipin ‘yan (Let’s set that aside). Focus muna tayo on the task at hand,” he said. "Let's take it one step at a time."

No need to expand quarantine to VisMin

At present, Año said he saw no need to expand the quarantine to Visayas and Mindanao but is open to that possibility if recommended by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease.

“Hindi pa naman kailangang buong Visayas at Mindanao para tuluy-tuloy pa rin naman yung kanilang normal na buhay lalo na sa trabaho and food production (There is still no need to expand the quarantine to the whole of Visayas and Mindanao so that they can go on with their daily lives especially at work and food production). But if there is a necessity and depending on the development, i-a-assess ng IATF ‘yan (the IATF will assess it),” he said.

Several local government units (LGUs) in Visayas and Mindanao have imposed general community quarantines to minimize the transmission of the disease.

He said he was contented by the performance of Luzon LGUs during the first week of the quarantine’s implementation but admitted that there were still challenges such as depleted food supply and Covid-19 testing kits

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday (March 24) signed the “Bayanihan To Heal As One” Act (Republic Act 11469), which grants special authority to address the Covid-19 pandemic by realigning the national budget.

The newly-signed law also gives Duterte authority to facilitate the immediate testing of persons under investigation (PUIs) and monitoring (PUMs), and direct establishments to house health workers, serve as quarantine areas, or relief and aid distribution venues, and expedite the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) suits and other medical equipment.

It also provides subsidies to low-income households, implement an expanded and enhanced Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) for those affected by the quarantine, ensure availability of credit to productive sectors, reschedule deadlines for the filing of government requirements, and order a grace period on paying residential rents or loans, among others.

Nograles is hopeful that with the signing of the Bayanihan To Heal As One, government can "move faster, mobilize more people, and more resources" to respond to the ongoing health crisis.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1097795

LOOK: Proposed GMA-7 program schedule

President Rodrigo Duterte signed a law renewing the franchise granted to GMA Network for another 25 years.

He signed Republic Act No. 10925 on Friday, April 21.

GMA Network, which runs television channels, radio stations, and an online news site, had been given a franchise through Republic Act No. 7252 when it was still known as Republic Broadcasting System Inc.

RA 10925 allows GMA Network to continue operating its channels and orders it to provide air time for public service announcements, especially in times of emergency or calamity.

It also exhorts GMA Network to "comply with the applicable labor standards" with consideration to "the nature and peculiarities of the broadcast industry."

In 2015, talents hired by GMA won a case against the broadcasting company. The labor arbiter of the National Labor Relations Commission ruled that GMA-7' contractual workers, given the nature of their job, should be treated as regular employees and be given security of tenure and benefits.

Members of the Talents Association sued GMA 7 for depriving them of law-mandated benefits like health insurance and social insurance.

RA No 10925 also allows the President to temporarily take over or stop operations of GMA Network if in the best interest of the public.

On March 9, 2018, GMA Network launched its new slogan "Buong Puso Para Sa Kapuso" with a new station ID.

However, the network's current station ID in short version during the top/bottom of the hour before start the programs

Aside from the new S/ID, it would be reported that the return of former programs GMA Balita, Magnegosyo, Sesame Street, Batibot and Sis on the morning slot, while Eye to Eye and other programs as well weekly programs, the daily late-night English newscast GMA Network News while GMA News TV shows Day-Off and Ang Pinaka will put on weekend slots.

Nagmamahal, Manay Gina returns on television, while Maynila reverted to a weekday drama anthology.

Weekdays (Metro Manila)

Morning

• 4 am - The 700 Club (hosted by Pat Robertson, Gordon P. Robertson, Terry Meeuwsen and Wendy Griffith)
• 5 am - Dobol B: Balitang-Balita (Hosted by Weng Dela Peña)
• 6 am - Melo Del Prado sa Super Radyo DZBB (Hosted by Melo Del Prado)
• 7 am - Mornings @ GMA (Hosted by Mon Isberto, Tisha Silang, Cher Calvin, Ryan Agoncillo, Suzie Entrata, Lyn Ching, Arnold Clavio, Paolo Bediones, Karen Davila, Kara David and Georgette Tengco)
• 8 am - Agripreneur (Hosted by Jiggy Manicad)
• 8:30 am - Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko (hosted by Orly Mercado, Connie Angeles and Camille Angeles)
• 9 am - Sesame Street
• 9:30 am - Batibot
• 10 am - Foreign Telenovela
• 10:30 am - Mars Pa More (Hosted by Camille Prats and Iya Villania)
• 11:30 am - Wagas

Afternoon

• 12 nn - Eat Bulaga! (Hosted by Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon with Jimmy Santos, Ruby Rodriguez, Samantha "Gracia" Lopez, Jose Manalo, Allan K., Toni Rose Gayda, Gladys Guevarra, Lana Asanin, Sherilyn Reyes, Anjo Yllana, Wally Bayola, Paolo Ballesteros, Phoemela Baranda, Sugar Mercado, Pia Guanio-Mago, Pauleen Luna-Sotto, Ryan Agoncillo, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza, Baste, Aicelle Santos and Luane Dy)
• 1:30 pm - T.A.P.E. Drama
• 2 pm - Nagmamahal, Manay Gina (hosted by Gina de Venecia)
• 2:30 pm - Maynila (hosted by Lito Atienza)
• 3 pm - Foreign Telenovela
• 3:30 pm - Anime
• 4 pm - That’s Entertainment (Hosted by Nora Aunor)
• 5 pm - Eye to Eye (Hosted by Dolly Anne Carvajal)
• 5:30 pm - Extra, Extra! (Hosted by Paolo Bediones, Marian Rivera and Boobay)

Primetime

• 6 pm - Saksi (Anchored by Mike Enriquez, Mel Tiangco, Vicky Morales and Arnold Clavio)
• 6:30 pm - Drama
• 7 pm - Drama
• 7:30 pm - Drama
• 8 pm - GoBingo
• 8:30 pm -
• Monday: Beh, Bote Nga! (Starring Janno Gibbs and Anjo Yllana)
• Tuesday: Bahay Mo Ba ‘To? (Starring Wendell Ramos)
• Wednesday: Nuts Entertainment (Starring Joey De Leon, Janno Gibbs and Anjo Yllana)
• Thursday: Tadhana (Hosted by Marian Rivera)
• Friday: Bubble Gang (Starring Michael V. and Antonio Aquitania)
• 9:30 pm - 
• Monday: Mikee (Starring Mikee Cojuangco)
• Tuesday: Kool Ka Lang (Starring Raymart Santiago)
• Wednesday: Growing Up (Starring Angelu de Leon, Bobby Andrews and Onemig Bondoc)
• Thursday: Magpakailanman (Hosted by Mel Tiangco)
• Friday: Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko (Starring Gloria Romero)
• 10:30 pm - 
  • Monday: Who’s Your Daddy Now? (Starring Joey Marquez, Raymart Santiago and Ynna Asistio)
  • Tuesday: Bitoy's Funniest Videos (Hosted by Michael V.)
  • Wednesday: Campus Romance
  • Thursday: Stories for the Soul (Hosted by Manny Pacquiao)
  • Friday: The Boobay and Tekla Show (Hosted by Boobay and Super Tekla)
• 11:30 pm - GMA Network News (anchored by Pia Arcangel)
• 12 mn - 
• Monday: I-Witness (hosted by Sandra Aguinaldo, Kara David, Howie Severino, Jay Taruc and Atom Araullo)
• Tuesday: The Probe Team (hosted by Cheche Lazaro)
• Wednesday: Emergency (hosted by Arnold Clavio)
• Thursday: Case Unclosed (hosted by Arnold Clavio)
• Friday: Debate with Mare and Pare (Hosted by Prof. Winnie Monsod and Oscar Orbos)
• 1 am - Camera Cafe
• 1:05 am - Not So Late Night with Edu
• 1:35 to 2:35 am - The 700 Club (hosted by Pat Robertson, Gordon P. Robertson, Terry Meeuwsen and Wendy Griffith)

Weekdays (Regional Stations)

Morning

• 4 am - The 700 Club
• 5 am - Dobol B: Balitang-Balita (Hosted by Weng Dela Peña)
• 6 am - Melo Del Prado sa Super Radyo DZBB (Hosted by Melo Del Prado)
• 7 am - Mornings @ GMA (Hosted by Mon Isberto, Tisha Silang, Cher Calvin, Ryan Agoncillo, Suzie Entrata, Lyn Ching, Arnold Clavio, Paolo Bediones, Karen Davila, Kara David and Georgette Tengco)
• 8 am - Agripreneur (Hosted by Jiggy Manicad)
• 8:30 am - Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko (Hosted by Orly Mercado, Connie Angeles and Camille Angeles)
• 9 am - Sesame Street
• 9:30 am - Batibot
• 10 am - Foreign Telenovela
• 10:30 am - Mars Pa More (Hosted by Camille Prats and Iya Villania)
• 11:30 am - Wagas

Afternoon

• 12 nn - Eat Bulaga! (Hosted by Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon with Jimmy Santos, Ruby Rodriguez, Samantha "Gracia" Lopez, Jose Manalo, Allan K., Toni Rose Gayda, Gladys Guevarra, Lana Asanin, Sherilyn Reyes, Anjo Yllana, Wally Bayola, Paolo Ballesteros, Phoemela Baranda, Sugar Mercado, Pia Guanio-Mago, Pauleen Luna-Sotto, Ryan Agoncillo, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza, Baste, Aicelle Santos and Luane Dy)
• 1:30 pm - T.A.P.E. Drama
• 2 pm - Nagmamahal, Manay Gina (hosted by Gina de Venecia)
• 2:30 pm - Maynila (hosted by Lito Atienza)
• 3 pm - Foreign Telenovela
• 3:30 pm - Anime
• 4 pm - That’s Entertainment (Hosted by Nora Aunor)
• 5 pm - Eye to Eye (Hosted by Dolly Anne Carvajal)
• 5:30 pm - GMA Regional Newscasts
  • Balitang Amianan (GMA Channel 10 Dagupan)
  • Baretang Bikol (GMA Channel 7 Naga)
  • Ratsada (GMA Channel 6 Iloilo)
  • Balitang Bisdak (GMA Channel 7 Cebu)
  • One Mindanao (GMA Channel 5 Davao)

Primetime

• 6 pm - Saksi (anchored by Mike Enriquez, Mel Tiangco, Vicky Morales and Arnold Clavio)
• 6:30 pm - Drama
• 7 pm - Drama
• 7:30 pm - Drama
• 8 pm - GoBingo
• 8:30 pm -
• Monday: Beh, Bote Nga! (Starring Janno Gibbs and Anjo Yllana)
• Tuesday: Bahay Mo Ba ‘To? (Starring Wendell Ramos)
• Wednesday: Nuts Entertainment (Starring Joey De Leon, Janno Gibbs and Anjo Yllana)
• Thursday: Tadhana (Hosted by Marian Rivera)
• Friday: Bubble Gang (Starring Michael V. and Antonio Aquitania)
• 9:30 pm - 
• Monday: Mikee (Starring Mikee Cojuangco)
• Tuesday: Kool Ka Lang (Starring Raymart Santiago)
• Wednesday: Growing Up (Starring Angelu de Leon, Bobby Andrews and Onemig Bondoc)
• Thursday: Magpakailanman (Hosted by Mel Tiangco)
• Friday: Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko (Starring Gloria Romero)
• 10:30
  • Monday: Who’s Your Daddy Now? (Starring Joey Marquez, Raymart Santiago and Ynna Asistio)
  • Tuesday: Bitoy's Funniest Videos (Hosted by Michael V.)
  • Wednesday: Campus Romance
  • Thursday: Stories for the Soul (Hosted by Manny Pacquiao)
  • Friday: The Boobay and Tekla Show (Hosted by Boobay and Super Tekla)
• 11:30 pm - GMA Network News (anchored by Pia Arcangel)
• 12 mn - 
• I-Witness (hosted by Sandra Aguinaldo, Kara David, Howie Severino, Jay Taruc and Atom Araullo) (Monday)
• The Probe Team (hosted by Cheche Lazaro) (Tuesday)
• Emergency (hosted by Arnold Clavio) (Wednesday)
• Tunay na Buhay (with Rhea Santos) (Thursday)
• Best Men (hosted by Jun Veneracion, Jace Flores and RJ Ledesma) (Friday)
• 1 am - Camera Cafe
• 1:05 am - Not So Late Night with Edu
• 1:35 to 2:35 am - The 700 Club (hosted by Pat Robertson, Gordon P. Robertson, Terry Meeuwsen and Wendy Griffith)

Saturday

• 4 am - Jesus the Healer
• 5 am - The 700 Club
• 6 am - Pasugo
• 7 am - Tipong Pinoy
• 7:30 am - Chikiting Patrol
• 8 am - 5 & Up
• 9 am - Art Angel
• 9:30 am - Lovely Day (Hosted by Love Anover)
• 10 am - Ka-Blog! (Hosted by Andrea Torres, Mico Aytona and Monica Verallo)
• 10:30 am - Digital LG Quiz (Hosted by Paolo Bediones and Regine Tolentino)
• 11:30 am - Campus Video
• 12 nn - Eat Bulaga! (hosted by Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon with Jimmy Santos, Ruby Rodriguez, Jose Manalo, Allan K., Anjo Yllana, Wally Bayola, Paolo Ballesteros, Pia Guanio-Mago, Pauleen Luna-Sotto, Ryan Agoncillo, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza, Baste and Luane Dy)
• 2:30 pm - StarTalk (hosted by Butch Francisco, Joey de Leon, Lolit Solis and Heart Evangelista-Escudero)
• 4 pm - Click
• 5 pm - Misteryo (Hosted by Ryan Eigenmann)
• 5:30 pm - Ilaban Natin Yan! (Hosted by Vicky Morales)
• 6:30 pm - Brigada Siete (Hosted by Jessica Soho and Mike Enriquez)
• 7:30 pm - Pepito Manaloto (Starring Michael V.)
• 8:30 pm - Daddy’s Gurl (Starring Vic Sotto and Maine Mendoza)
• 9:30 pm - GMA’s Best
• 11:30 pm - Wattajob
• 12:30 am - Master Showman
• 1:30 am - GMA Network News
• 2 to 2:30 am - The 700 Club (Answers)

Sunday

• 4 am - Ecclesia in Asia
• 5 am - In Touch
• 6 am - Word of Hope
• 6:30 am - The 700 Club
• 7:30 am - Cathedral of Praise
• 8 am - Parents’ Guide
• 8:30 am - Gameplan
• 9:30 am - AHA!
• 10:30 am - Born to Be Wild
• 11:30 am - Joey’s Quirky World
• 12 nn - All-Out Sunday
• 2:30 pm - Dear Friend
• 4 pm - H.O.T. TV: Hindi Ordinaryong Tsismis
• 5:30 pm - I-Shine Talent Camp TV
• 6 pm - Partners with Mel & Joey
• 7 pm - Kap's Amazing Stories
• 8 pm - All Star K!
• 9 pm - SNBO: Sunday Night Box Office (Note: Instead na movies and TV specials na ineere diyan sa SNBO, gusto ko ibalik na din yung Pinoy Meets World: now with Miriam Quiambao-Roberto and JC Tiuseco, 100% Pinoy, Case Unclosed at World View Presents: as a substitute once a month program)
• 11 pm - Cheche Lazaro Presents
• 12 mn - GMA Network News
• 12:30 am - A Little Night of Music (with John Lesaca and Fides Cuyugan-Asencio)
• 1:30 to 2 am - The 700 Club (Answers)

Every Last Sunday of the Month:

• 11 pm - Aawitan Kita
• 12:30 am - A Little Night of Music (with John Lesaca and Fides Cuyugan-Asencio)
• 1:30 to 2 am - The 700 Club (Answers)

A reminder from the manager

 

Effective April 9, 2020 at midnight, my account will be deactivated.

New accounts will start on Black Saturday:

kpr3131961@gmail.com

elvd1988@gmail.com

jbrw1986@gmail.com

Duterte declares nationwide state of calamity amid Covid-19 threat

By Prince Golez

President Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation No. 929 on March 16 declaring a state of calamity throughout the Philippines due to coronavirus (Covid-19).

The state of calamity proclamation would remain in force for six months until lifted.

“Such declaration will allow the national government and the local government units (LGUs) ample latitude to utilize appropriate funds, including the Quick Response Fund, in their disaster preparedness and response efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19 and to continue to provide basic services to the affected population,” said Duterte.

The President also enjoined all government agencies and LGUs to render full assistance to and cooperation with each other and mobilize the necessary resources to undertake critical, urgent, and appropriate disaster response aid and measures in a timely manner to curtail and eliminate the threat of the disease.

Under the proclamation, all law enforcement agencies are directed to undertake all necessary measures to ensure peace and order in affected areas.

On Monday, Duterte placed the entire Luzon under “Enhanced Community Quarantine” until midnight of April 13 following the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the country.

Under the month long containment, “strict home quarantine shall be implemented in all households; transportation shall be suspended; provision for food and essential services shall be regulated; and heightened presence of uniformed personnel to enforce quarantine procedures will be implemented.”

https://politics.com.ph/duterte-declares-nationwide-state-of-calamity-amid-covid-19-threat/

Pilipinas isinailalim sa 6-month 'state of calamity' ni Duterte

Isinailalim na ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang buong Pilipinas sa "state of calamity" kasunod ng pagdami ng mga kaso ng coronavirus disease (COVID-19) sa Pilipinas.

Sa Proclamation 929, na pinetsahang ika-16 ng Marso, sinabi ni Digong sa pamamagitan ni Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea ang sumusunod:

"Idinedeklara ang State of Calamity sa kabuuan ng Pilipinas na tatagal ng anim (6) na buwan, maliban na lang kung bawiin o palawigin depende sa sirkumstansya," sabi ni Digong sa Inggles.

Patuloy pa rin naman daw ang ipinatutupad na enhanced community quarantine sa kabuuan ng Luzon hanggang ika-12 ng Abrilo 2020, maliban kung bawiin pa.

Inaatasan din ang lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno at local government units na magbigay ng kanilang tulong at pakikipag-ugnayan sa isa't isa: "mabobilisa ang mga kinakailangang rekurso para makapagpatupad ng kritikal, agaran at wastong disaster response aid and measures sa lalong madaling panahon upang masawata at mapuksa ang banta ng COVID-19."

Inaatasan na rin ang lahat ng law enforcement agencies, sa tulong ng Armed Forces of the Philippines, para siguruhin ang "peace and order" sa mga apektadong lugar, depende sa pangangailangan. — may mga ulat mula kay The STAR/Christina Mendez

Antabayanan ang mga karagdagang detalye sa balitang ito.

https://www.philstar.com/pilipino-star-ngayon/bansa/2020/03/17/2001652/pilipinas-isinailalim-sa-6-month-state-calamity-ni-duterte

ABS-CBN suspends live shows and tapings of its ‘teleseryes’

FOLLOWING the government’s declaration of a “community quarantine” and ban on mass gatherings due to an outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), ABS-CBN has temporarily suspended live entertainment shows and production of teleseryes starting on March 15.

“ABS-CBN is temporarily suspending the staging of its live entertainment shows and production of its teleserye starting Sunday in compliance with the goverment’s declaration of a community quarantine  and ban on mass gatherings to contain the spread of Covid-19,” the network said in a statement released on their social media accounts.

“The company is taking these initiatives for the safety and health of our artists, crew, production teams, their families and the general public,” it added.

While this measure is in place, the network said it would continue to serve the audiences by bringing back well-loved shows “to help provide inspiration, hope and upliftment.”

“We assure the public that ABS-CBN will continue to bring the latest news and information through our TV and radio newscasts and digital platforms, especially at this time when the country is facing a public health crisis,” the post read.

“We thank our Kapamilya viewers for their understanding and continued support,” it said.

The latest statement was released just three days after ABS-CBN  also decided to temporarily stop admitting studio audience to its shows.

The affected TV programs in the said audience ban include “It’s Showtime,” “ASAP Natin ‘To,” “Magandang Buhay,” “Banana Sundae,” and “I Can See Your Voice.”

Noontime show Eat Bulaga, which airs on GMA, also temporarily stopped admitting live audience for their show, in relation to the sudden virus spread. WITH RED MENDOZA

https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/03/14/news/latest-stories/abs-cbn-suspends-live-shows-and-tapings-of-its-teleseryes/703009/

Statement on ABS-CBN programming

ABS-CBN is temporarily suspending the staging of its live entertainment shows and production of its teleseryes starting Sunday (March 15) in compliance with the government’s declaration of a community quarantine and ban on mass gatherings to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The company is taking this initiative for the safety and health of our artists, crew, production teams, their families, and the general public.

While this measure is in place, ABS-CBN will continue to serve our audiences by bringing back well-loved shows to help provide inspiration, hope, and upliftment.

We assure the public that ABS-CBN will continue to bring the latest news and information through our TV and radio newscasts and digital platforms, especially at this time when the country is facing a public health crisis.

We thank our Kapamilya viewers for their understanding and continued support.

Pansamantalang ititigil ng ABS-CBN ang pagtatanghal ng mga live entertainment show at taping ng mga teleserye nito simula Linggo (Marso 15) bilang pagsunod sa deklarasyon ng pamahalaan ng community quarantine at pagbabawal ng pagtitipon nang maramihan upang pigilan ang pagkalat ng COVID-19.

Ginagawa ito ng kumpanya para sa kaligtasan at kalusugan ng aming mga artista, crew, production teams, ang kanilang mga pamilya, at ang publiko.

Habang ito ay ipinapatupad, patuloy ang ABS-CBN na maglilingkod sa mga manonoood sa paghahatid ng mga kinagiliwang palabas na magbibigay ng inspirasyon, pag-asa, at sigla.

Makakaasa ang publiko na patuloy na ihahatid ng ABS-CBN ang pinakahuling balita at impormasyon sa aming newscasts sa TV at radyo, pati sa digital, lalo na sa panahon ngayong may public health crisis ang bansa. 

Nagpapasalamat kami sa aming mga Kapamilya para sa kanilang pag-unawa at patuloy na suporta.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/03/13/20/statement-on-abs-cbn-programming

ABS-CBN franchise: Calida mum on NTC provisional authority, Gadon petition

Solicitor General Jose Calida on Thursday begged off comment on the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) plan to grant ABS-CBN Corp. provisional authority to operate so it could continue operations pending renewal of its broadcast franchise.

“I won’t comment on that because you know it’s before the Supreme Court,” Calida told reporters shortly after oral arguments on a different case at the high tribunal.

The NTC on Wednesday said it would issue provisional authority to allow ABS-CBN and its subsidiaries to operate until June 2022 while Congress deliberates on its franchise renewal.

Calida cited a gag order although the high court has yet to make any announcement on whether it has ruled on his motion requesting such.

“There’s a gag order. I was the one who filed that gag order so I could not comment,” he said.

Calida filed a gag order motion on Feb. 18, a week after filing the quo warranto petition seeking to revoke ABS-CBN’s franchise due to alleged franchise violations. Calida accused ABS-CBN of engaging in propaganda in its reports.

Calida also did not comment on lawyer Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon’s petition seeking to stop NTC from issuing provisional authority to ABS-CBN, claiming it has no authority in the absence of a law.

“That’s his petition. It’s not our petition,” Calida said.

Gadon cited the Office of the Solicitor General as the NTC’s counsel in his petition. The OSG represents government agencies in cases before higher courts.

Asked if the OSG would represent the NTC, Calida gave a noncommittal answer: “I’ll cross the bridge when I see it.”

“Regards to ABS-CBN,” told reporters as the interview ended.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/12/20/abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-calida-mum-on-ntc-provisional-authority-gadon-petition

House adjourns without tackling ABS-CBN franchise renewal

The House of Representatives adjourned its session on Wednesday night—its last session day before it begins its Lenten break lasting for nearly two months—without tackling media giant ABS-CBN’s bid for franchise renewal.

In its last session before the Lenten break, lawmakers approved, among others, House Bill No. 5832 which creates the  Department of Filipinos Overseas and Foreign Employment, as well as House Bill No. 59, which amends the Retail Trade Liberalization Act of 2000.

This, while the 11 bills seeking the renewal of franchise of ABS-CBN remain pending before the House committee on legislative franchises—the earliest of which, at least in the 18th Congress, was filed in July 2019.

So far, the committee on legislative franchises has only held one hearing—or meeting—to discuss the matter. But during this meeting, no one from ABS-CBN or from the opposition was invited.

Instead, the lawmakers decided to first draft the ground rules for the formal deliberations of the franchise renewal bid of ABS-CBN, which House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano earlier deemed to be necessary so that the hearings would not be a “circus.”

Cayetano said he wanted the hearings to be organized, noting that there should be an order in terms of tackling the various issues covering the franchise bill such as the alleged violations of ABS-CBN to its franchise, among others.

“We don’t want this hearing to look like a circus. We don’t want the session to degenerate into a bull session. We don’t want to make this a sycophancy and vilification session. We want to define the issues,” Cayetano said partly in Filipino in a press briefing in March.

What’s taking it so long?

On numerous occasions, Cayetano said there are “more urgent” measures than the ABS-CBN franchise renewal that are being prioritized by the lower chamber.

This includes, among others, the creation of the Department for Overseas Filipino Workers, the Department of Disaster Management, and the Department of Water; the improvement of the K to 12 program; the improvement of the national health preparedness; and the strengthening of the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.

In February, Cayetano said the lower chamber might tackle ABS-CBN’s franchise in May or in August after President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (Sona).

The House Speaker said that he would rather tackle the measures seeking the network’s franchise renewal continuously than have it cut by the lower chamber’s scheduled breaks.

“This is not a television series where it’s better if there are cliffhangers. If we hear this for two weeks and we run out of time because we will go on recess, or even if we go on recess and conduct hearings at that time, we cannot bring it to the plenary. Nothing will happen,” Cayetano said in Filipino.

Cayetano has also said that deliberations on the network’s franchise would be a “delicate balance” between press freedom and holding ABS-CBN accountable over its alleged violations.

“How do you hold ABS accountable for some perceived violations of the franchise? On the other hand, how do you protect press freedom? And what is a just ruling vis-à-vis ‘yung mga (on the) allegations?” the House Speaker said in another interview.

To recall, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) filed a quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court seeking to revoke the ABS-CBN’s license, citing “highly abusive practices” of the network.

ABS-CBN, however, has maintained that it did not violate any law governing its franchise and that it had secured all necessary approvals for its business operations.

Expiring franchise

What makes the call for the lower chamber to tackle the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN stronger is the approaching expiration of the network’s current franchise on May 4.

Many fear that ABS-CBN would shut down once its franchise expires while its bid for renewal remains hanging before the committee on legislative franchises.

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.

Cayetano gave assurances that ABS-CBN would continue its operations even if its franchise expires since its franchise renewal bid is still pending in Congress. 

At one point, the House Speaker even went on to say that he was willing to be jailed if anyone from ABS-CBN would be imprisoned for operating while hearings for its franchise renewal were ongoing in the lower chamber.

Citing precedence, Cayetano turned to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), saying that other broadcasting firms in the past have been issued provisional authority to operate while Congress has yet to act on bills seeking their franchise renewal.

On February 27, Cayetano and committee on legislative franchises chairman Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez sent a letter to the NTC enjoining the commission to grant a provisional authority to operate to ABS-CBN effective on May 4, 2020, “until such time that the House of Representatives/Congress has made a decision on its application.”

“If we have the power to grant franchise, why wouldn’t we have the power to grant provisional authority? Except that we are ordering this from the one who grants it. We can grant a franchise, which is the mother of the provisional authority,” Cayetano said partly in Filipino in an interview in Taguig City.

Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman, however, said House’s suggestion of ABS-CBN being granted a provisional authority to operate is a mere “illusory remedy.”

The lawmaker 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.

But during the meeting held by the committee on legislative franchises, the NTC said it will “likely” issue a provisional authority to ABS-CBN.

“The NTC will follow the latest advice of the DOJ (Department of Justice) and let ABS-CBN continue operations based on equity,” NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba said.

No pressure from Palace

Duterte has repeatedly said that he would block the franchise renewal of the network due to supposed “violations” committed by the media company. 

At one point, Duterte even urged the Lopez family, the owner of the company, to just sell it off.

In February, Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that Duterte was seething with ABS-CBN’s failure to air his paid campaign advertisements during the 2016 election.

Further, Panelo also took note of the airing an anti-Duterte advertisement which paid by former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV who was then running as Vice President.

However, Panelo said that Duterte’s expression of “displeasure or disgust or anger” on ABS-CBN has nothing to do with the pending status of the network’s franchise renewal bid in the lower chamber.

“The President made utterances against ABS-CBN. He made certain statements like ‘I’ll shut down (ABS-CBN)’. But that’s not literal. He wants to shut down the fraudulent practices of your network,” Panelo said, partly in Filipino, in an interview on ABS-CBN News Channel.

Cayetano and several members of the committee on legislative franchises have denied any pressure from the Palace against acting on bills on ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.

“I am not pressured by what the president wants. nor by media and supporters of ABS-CBN. The pressure is on how history will judge us,” Cayetano said in Filipino.

In a Senate hearing, ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak apologised to Duterte—an apology that was later accepted by the President.

Duterte said he would let Congress decide on ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.

Cayetano, meanwhile, has said that the House’s discussions on the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN should not be treated as a race, as he gave assurance the issue would be tackled with fairness. 

On a break

Both the House and the Senate are now on its Lenten break which would last for nearly two months.

In a speech he delivered right before House adjourned its session on Wednesday night, Cayetano said that the lower chamber is willing to change the legislative calendar and hold special session during the break.

But ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal might not be on the table during this break as Cayetano has previously said that he wants to hold continuous hearings regarding the issue.

Ironically, House session will resume on May 4—the same day ABS-CBN’s current franchise expires.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1240451/house-adjourns-no-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-story

6 broadcast firms near franchise OK

Senator Grace Poe said Wednesday six broadcast companies were one step closer to getting their fresh legal mandates after the Senate approved on third and final reading the bills seeking the renewal of their legislative franchises for another 25 years.

Poe said the Senate’s approval of the bills was also a manifestation that the committee on public services, which she heads, gave importance to the companies seeking applications for franchise renewal.

“We want to make sure that all franchises are given equal opportunity and prompt scrutiny as we recognize the value of able media firms as sources of job opportunities and information especially in the countryside,” Poe said.

On Tuesday, the National Telecommunications Commission agreed to issue a provisional authority to allow broadcast giant ABS-CBN to operate pending the renewal of its franchise.

NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba made the announcement during the hearing of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises led by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court again deferred taking action on the quo warranto petition filed by the Office of the Solicitor General seeking to forfeit the franchises of ABS-CBN Corp.

The approved bills were on the respective franchises of Broadcast Enterprises and Affiliated Media Inc.; Crusaders Broadcasting System; Bicol Broadcasting System Inc.; Golden Broadcast Professional Inc.; Gold Label Broadcasting System Inc.; and First United Broadcasting Corp., which is  now known as Global Satellite Technology Services Inc.

All six broadcast franchises were passed on third reading on Monday and were transmitted to the House of Representatives for its approval of the Senate amendments. Gold Label Broadcasting System’s franchise is set to expire in May and the rest in July.

Welcoming the development, Poe said a franchise was a public duty.

“This is not a right available to all, but a privilege given to those with capacity to do the job,” she said.

https://www.manilastandard.net/news/national/319447/6-broadcast-firms-near-franchise-ok.html

NTC to allow ABS-CBN to operate until June 2022

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Wednesday said it would issue a provisional authority to allow ABS-CBN and its subsidiaries to operate until June 2022, while Congress continues to deliberate on its franchise renewal bid.

After receiving resolutions from the Senate and the House of Representatives, the NTC will issue the temporary permit, Deputy Commissioner Edgardo Cabarios told reporters.

“Ang advice kasi ngayon is kapag may concurrent resolution, then we can issue the provisional authority,” Cabarios, who received the copy of the resolutions, said.

(The advice is, if there is a concurrent resolution already, then we can issue the provisional authority.)

“Up to now, yun ang advice (that is the advice), so yes... unless we are restrained by the court,” he said when asked if the agency will definitely issue a provisional permit for ABS-CBN valid through June 2022.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier told senators that Congress needs to issue resolutions to serve as legal basis for the NTC's issuance of a provisional authority for ABS-CBN.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri lauded the NTC decision, saying it upheld jurisprudence and precedence by extending to ABS-CBN the same relief it gave other broadcasting networks.

"Dapat kung anong naibigay sa iba ay dapat maibigay po sa ABS-CBN, kasi kung hindi naman nangyari yun, clearly, nagkaroon ng prejudice, bias for that particular application when all the rest have been given that provisional authority," Zubiri said.

(Whatever was given to others should also be extended to ABS-CBN, because if it doesn't happen that way, clearly, there's prejudice, bias for that particular application when all the rest have been given that provisional authority.)

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon also praised the NTC for extending ABS-CBN's current license until the end of the 18th Congress in June 2022.

"That is very important because a shorter provisional authority would subject ABS-CBN to question, and that is not consistent with the freedom of the press," Drilon said.

"Based on our own legislative history, while the application for the renewal of the franchise is pending, de facto the expired franchise will continue to exist, especially with provisional authority granted by NTC," he said.

Lawyer Lorenzo "Larry" Gadon earlier filed a petition asking the high court if a provisional authority from an executive agency is enough basis to allow ABS-CBN to operate after its franchise expires on May 4, 2020.

Drilon defended the NTC's decision, saying Congressional resolutions in favor of ABS-CBN's temporary permit should be given due consideration.

"If this is questioned before the court, we leave it to the court... But we maintain our jurisdiction as the grantor of franchise, kaya ang opinion ng Kongreso ay kailangan bigyan ng kaukulang pansin dahil kami po ang nagbibigay ng franchise," he said.

(But we maintain our jurisdiction as the grantor of franchise, that's why the opinion of Congress must be given due consideration because we issue the franchise.)

Until Tuesday, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises did not start tackling several bills seeking to give ABS-CBN a fresh 25-year license to broadcast. Congress goes on a break after Wednesday and will resume session on May 4.

The committee, backed by House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, earlier enjoined the NTC to issue ABS-CBN a provisional authority to operate past the expiry of the company's current franchise.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/11/20/abscbn-franchise-renewal-ntc-provisional-authority-2022

‘Too early’ to tell effect of SC case on ABS-CBN franchise bid – Cayetano

It’s still “too early” to say if the pending quo warranto case against media giant ABS-CBN before the Supreme Court would affect the network’s bid for franchise renewal in Congress, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano in a press briefing on Tuesday.

Cayetano underscored the difference between the quo warranto case filed by the Office of Solicitor General (OSG) and ABS-CBN’s bid for its franchise to be renewed.

Last Feb. 10, Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN, accusing the network of “abusive practices.”

“SolGen Calida’s petition is regarding the existing franchise. What is pending the House is [the bid for a franchise renewal] for the next 25 years,” Cayetano, speaking partly in Filipino, told reporters.

“It is too early — because we have not seen the decision — to see whether or not it [the Supreme Court ruling] will affect the new franchise, because if there is no violation, it should not affect the franchise,” the House Speaker said.

But in the event that the Supreme Court sees that ABS-CBN indeed violated its franchise, the committee on legislative franchises has to see if the committed violations would be enough to affect the granting of a new franchise to the network.

“For me, we will not second-guess the Supreme Court. Definitely, we will follow their decision. But there’s difference between what is pending in the Supreme Court and what is pending before the committee [on legislative franchises],” Cayetano said.

He also responded to the petition filed by lawyer Lorenzo G. Gadon urging the Supreme Court to stop the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) from granting ABS-CBN provisional authority to operate once its franchise had expired on May 4.

Cayetano and Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, who chairs the Committee on Legislative Franchises, sent a letter to the NTC enjoining it to grant ABS-CBN provisional authority to operate, effective on May 4, 2020 “until such time that the House of Representatives/Congress has made a decision on its application.”

Gadon questioned this move, saying that the Cayetano’s directive to the NTC would violate the doctrine of separation of powers and would be a “grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction.”

“On my part, I’m requesting countrymen: Please don’t stop us from doing our job. But it’s his right. He’s a lawyer. He’s a citizen of this country. He didn’t take my advice. He wants ABS-CBN to be shut down immediately,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano believes that the Supreme Court would not stop their action on the franchise since “it’s part of our congressional responsibilities and duties and constitutional mandate to look into and grant franchises.”

“Of course, if the Supreme Court says that the Congress’ action was not allowed, then that’s a different story,| he said. “But until that point in time, Attorney Gadon has one opinion in 110 million Filipinos. We don’t share his opinion.”

The Committee on Legislative Franchises held its first hearing on ABS-CBN franchise renewal on Tuesday afternoon.

But rather than hearing stakeholders involved in the issue, the committee instead focused on discussing the ground rules for May, when the formal deliberations on the franchise renewal begin.

There are 11 bills seeking to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN for another 25 years.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1239622/cayetano-on-abs-cbn-supreme-court-story

House leaders, NTC say ABS-CBN may operate without new franchise

THE House of Representatives and the National Telecommunications Communication (NTC) on Tuesday gave assurances that ABS-CBN Corp. will be allowed to continue its operations beyond May 4, 2020.

During the meeting of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises on 11 pending bills renewing the franchise of the ABS-CBN, NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba said the agency will heed the opinion of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to allow the network to continue operations.

“The NTC will follow the latest advice of the DOJ and let ABS-CBN continue operations based on equity,” he said.

With this, Cordoba said the NTC will “most likely” issue a provisional authority to the TV network.

“Based on the foregoing discussion, there is sufficient equitable basis to allow broadcast entities to continue operating while the bills for the renewal of their respective franchise remain pending with Congress,” Cordoba said, citing the opinion of the DOJ.

However, Congress is schedule to take a Lenten break starting March 12 without approving the franchise of ABS-CBN. The session will resume on May 4. The ABS-CBN franchise is also set to expire on May 4.

Adopt

During the hearing, the House committee approved a motion to adopt a letter enjoining the agency to grant a provisional authority to operate effective from May 4, 2020 until such time that Congress has made a decision on its application.

Cayetano, meanwhile, gave assurances that the House would conduct its hearing in “a fair, objective, and transparent manner.”

“We definitely did the right thing to focus on more important issues. We want a continuous hearing, not a circus. The issue is really contentious and emotional,” Cayetano said.

“Second, innocent until proven guilty. As far as we are concerned, there is still no violation so there is no reason in this world the NTC should shut them down,” he added.

Cayetano also reiterated his call for the submission of position papers on the ABS-CBN franchise until April 15, 2020.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/03/11/house-leaders-ntc-say-abs-cbn-may-operate-without-new-franchise/