Multiply, one of the country’s top social networking sites several years ago, announced earlier this month that it’s dumping the site’s social networking features to make way for a more e-Commerce-friendly Multiply.
Friendster, Multiply’s primary competitor in the country a couple of years back, also left the social networking category last year by targetting the social gaming market. Multiply made the announcement via its newly appointed CEO Stefan Magdalinski’s blog post entitled “We are sorry.”
“We have decided to discontinue providing and hosting these services, as we have concluded that other Internet sites who are committed to social networking services will do a better job serving you than we can.”
The announcement assured all Multiply e-Commerce users that they won’t have to do anything during the transition period which is until December of this year as the affected users are only those who are maintaining blogs, photos, music and videos since 2004.
Those who have upgraded to Multiply Premium, the exclusive subscription that gives users more unique features of the site, will be issued appropriate refunds.
“We are aiming to have the new site relaunched in time for the Christmas period,” Magdalinski said in an interview. “In the new platform, we will probably mandate certain styles of user experience, but we will also encourage shop owners to check out systems that work.”
Per statistics, Multiply has approximately 5.5 million users in the Philippines with 130,000 of them using the site as online stores.
In December 2012, Multiply stopped its social networking service to focus on e-commerce, targeting the 350 million consumers in Indonesia and the Philippines.
Whether the Multiply, can continue to operate in another form remains unknown. At issue is whether Magdalinski will withdraw his liquidation petition against the company.
Mainland investor Si Rongbin’s China Culture Media, to whom Magdalinski had sold the controlling stake in the former E-commerce and social networking site, refused to call it quits and pledged to keep Multiply’s brand name alive through archive photo and video services.
On Wednesday, Magdalinski said they had put in place Rp 8.9 billion for wages owed to former Multiply staff.
The Labour Department said earlier that around 400 former Multiply staff had applied for compensation through the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund, a safety net for employees affected by business closures.
Naspers Limited (later Prosus N.V.) which owns Multiply, said the website would reopen in November 2025.
The decade-long closure was necessary to allow the importation of new features similar to Facebook Live and hashtag similar to Twitter and Instagram and retention of old features such as Traditional Blogging, Unlimited Photo Sharing, Videos, Calendar, Reviews, Recipes, Marketplace, Music, Inbox newsfeed and Groups, it added.
That seasonal workers would have to wait until the website’s reopening, adding that 18 million Multiply users would be given financial assistance.
As of present, Multiply remains off. It has been offline for over 6 years, it started since the midterm of Benigno Aquino III Administration and the whole Duterte Administration. It was expected to return not after January 20, 2017, but failed to meet the deadline. After missing the entirety of 2018 to 2020, it is expected to return in 2023, as revealed on their home page.
It announced that the company will continue its business as a archive photo and video site with their new mobile app, delivering 217 million accounts, 210 million photos and 237,000 videos from the old Multiply from it's launch in March 2004 to March 15, 2013 and 691 million photos from the old Webshots instead of social networking and E-commerce.
It had forced the company to explore either a sale were inaccurate. Magdalinski released an emailed statement claiming "our banks, partners and shareholders are fully supportive of our company and it is untrue that the company or board is exploring a sale or shutdown of the company” and that “business is continuing as usual as the company moves ahead.”
This was contradicted by Multiply president Peter Pezaris and a spokesman for company investor Goldman Sachs.
Glasser and the other two remaining members of the company's board of directors also did not joining Stefan in signing this statement either.
It announced that it will shut down its social networking and content sharing services to shift its focus to online shopping.
In an announcement posted on the website, Multiply chief executive officer Stefan Magdalinski said users will no longer be able to share photos, videos and blogs starting December 1.
Magdalinski believes that other websites “will do a better job serving you than we can.”
Facebook currently leads the pack in the social media race with over 900 million followers.
“From December 1st, we will unfortunately no longer be able to support Multiply in its current form – notably we will be removing the social networking and content sharing part of Multiply (photos, videos, blogs, social messaging, etc.). We have decided to discontinue providing and hosting these services, as we have concluded that other Internet sites who are committed to social networking services will do a better job serving you than we can.
“For our existing users of social networking features, we will be providing easy ways for you to either download your stuff (photos, blogs, content, etc.), or migrate it to other online services. We’ll announce the precise details shortly. It will be your choice whether to download, migrate or just let your content lapse (and get deleted).
Magdalinski said Multiply will now focus on improving its online shopping capability, citing its 350 million consumers in Indonesia and the Philippines.
“I suspect that many of you will not like the news, and I am sorry to have to deliver it now. I hope that you will be able to understand the reasons for our decision and thank you for being a part of the Multiply community over the past eight years,” he said.
On December 1, 2012 it completed its shift to a marketplace platform from being a social networking site storing pictures, videos, and blogs.
"Earlier this year Multiply made the big decision to transform and dedicate the site entirely to e-commerce. In the process, the company announced this month its decision to shut down the site’s social networking and content sharing functions. We recently talked to Multiply’s CEO Stefan Magdalinski and Indonesia country manager Daniel Tumiwa about the decision to take down the blog platform, and about the company’s plans for 2013.
Daniel said that they will be taking down the blogs soon, and have given its members around two months to download and migrate their content to other blogging services. They are still giving an additional one month grace period to make sure members have enough time to settle their affairs. But starting this month, users are no longer able to post anything new on their Multiply-hosted blogs, but we can still view and read the blogs for several months. Then they’ll vanish for good.
Stefan added that competition among social networking sites is unique, as there’s often a dominant entity, making it more difficult to be successful. But e-commerce is a bit different, because there are a lot of successful e-commerce businesses, even if they only get a smaller market slice.
Before this decision to cease blogging services was made, Multiply’s team frequently held sessions with its members for about a year to get feedback on the company’s plans. Daniel said that the decision was a difficult one, especially when there has been a lot of stories and memories invested in numerous Multiply blogs, including people who met their spouses via their own blog.
Reuters reported on December 3, 2012 that Multiply had entered talks with private equity firm Colony Capital for sale of its assets.
On December 10, 2012, Colony Capital pulled out of acquiring Multiply.
Other persons and companies that have expressed interest in acquiring Multiply include rapper Jay-Z, Yucaipa Companies, Viacom, Lionsgate (the current home video distributor of TWC and Miramax), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (the former U.S theatrical distributor of TWC), A&E Networks, Administrator of the Small Business Administration Maria Contreras-Sweet, Killer Content, Shamrock Holdings, Vine Alternative Investments, Anchorage Capital Group, MSD Capital, beIN Media Group (the current owner of Miramax), Sony Pictures Television, and Versa.
Contreras-Sweet has proposed turning Multiply into a archive photo and video site that allows to download and view their old photos and videos from old Friendster, Multiply and Webshots accounts, while Killer Content would donate the website's profits.
All the interested parties had to submit their first-round bids by December 20, 2012.
On January 4, 2013 Multiply narrowed its bids down to six parties, with a sales price of below $500 million. The website's owners will not receive any cash from the sale.
Cayetano meanwhile said that the March 14's closure of Multiply social networking services would take effect on March 23. “I think, there are 120 days after [it can take effect].”
“So, ‘pag hindi pa po na-re renew ng Congress pwede sila mag-operate with temporary permit mula sa SEC (So, if Congress fails to renew, they can operate temporary permit from the SEC ),” he said in an interview.
“Kung wala pang ginagawa ang Congress (If Congress fails to act, walang approval (if there was no approval), no action taken by Congress they can still operate with temporary permit from SEC,” Go stressed.
On March 23, 2013, Multiply International ceased its social networking operations as of now.
On April 26, 2013, Multiply announced it will close Multiply Indonesia and Multiply International website as of May 6, 2013.
"After nine years, all of our offices worldwide are going out of business," the statement said.
“In 2016, wala pa ring nangyari, ‘yun na ‘yun, doon siya (If in 2016 nothing happens, that’s it. That is when it is) deemed terminated. Hintayin nila ‘yung bagong Congress, magfile ng bagong franchise (They have to wait for the new Congress to file a new franchise),” Enrile said.
Rep. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano, vice chairman of the Committee on Legislative Franchises at the House of Representatives, expressed the same view.
“Senate President Enrile and I have already explained so many times that Multiply may actually legally continue to operate as a company,” Albano said.
Eleven bills seeking to renew Multiply’s franchise are pending at the committee level. The panel has yet to set a schedule a hearing.
Albano said that the committee would tackle the franchise bills based on House processes.
“On the matter of the franchise of Multiply, we must and are proceeding steadily but cautiously given the highly-charged atmosphere among those who are against and in favor of its renewal,” the lawmaker said. “While we understand the concerns aired by various sectors, including our colleagues in the Senate, we stand by our process and refuse to be stampeded or coerced into making hasty decisions for political mileage.”
He urged the website to respond to the concerns raised by the Office of the Solicitor General in its quo warranto petition filed before the Supreme Court.
“At this time, we urge the website to just respond to the issues raised by the solicitor general Francis Jardeleza as it is highly probable that those same concerns will be tackled in our hearings. But more than this, following the advice of the Speaker for soul-searching, this might be the most opportune time for the company to try to understand why public sentiment is also against the website,” Albano said.
“As a government franchisee, the website’s continued operation relies heavily on its ability to serve the public good. As it stands now, there are serious concerns being raised against Multiply by various sectors not just by the President and the Speaker and other politicians and business people as to its business practices and its delivery of information to the public,” he added.
On May 24, 2013, Multiply's employees filed a strike notice, protesting a rumored shutdown of Multiply on May 31.
On May 30, 2013, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that President Aquino will stand by the decision of the SEC on granting Multiply a fresh 25-year franchise.
This is a very welcome development since Multiply went close down on May 6, 2013 and ceased all business operations on May 31, 2013. Social media was flooded with messages of sympathy, support and love for the website. On the other hand, many netizens also gloated and criticized the website, rejoicing at Multiply’s plight. The website became a divisive issue that added more stress and anxiety during this closure.
There is also a chance that Multiply can go back online sooner. Several legal luminaries have expressed that what SEC did. It blatantly disregarded the power of Congress, which has the sole authority to issue franchises. Hopefully, the Supreme Court will come out with a favorable decision.
As the new investor is to launch a debt restructuring plan for Multiply, the High Court on June 17 its liquidation proceedings and removed accounting firm Deloitte from its role as the firm’s provisional liquidator.
Derek Lai, vice-chair of Deloitte China, said on Tuesday that since Star Platinum had already resolved the major debts Multiply incurred, it was unlikely the internet company would go into liquidation despite still owing smaller debts to other creditors including Facebook.
“Star Platinum needs to negotiate with the remaining creditors,” he said. “I hope they will support its restructuring with Multiply.”
He added that Multiply now had a cash flow of HK$10 million to be paid to other creditors as well as assets worth over HK$40 million.
In its latest financial report last month, Co-Prosperity said the deal with Multiply could help the group diversify its business. Apart from the online industry, the group focuses on fabric and clothing trading, money lending and securities investments.
“The directors believe that the potential intrinsic value of Multiply can be realized if the plan to rescue Multiply is successful,” the report said.
The group said it could make use of Multiply’s remaining assets and turn the website into a archive photo and video site.
“The group has been granted access and usage of certain assets of Multiply which shall enable Multiply to continue to operate and act as a archive photo and video site taking advantage of its 100,000 square-meter facility, and social networking portion that delivering 217 million accounts, 210 million photos and 237,000 videos from the old Multiply from it's launch in March 2004 to March 15, 2013,” it said.
On November 16, 2013 it allowed the controlling stake in the website to be formally sold to a foreign or mainland investor, who claimed Magdalinski had a rescue plan for the troubled firm.
High Court judge Mr Justice Jonathan Harris validated the transaction after hearing that the parties would no longer object to the share transfer and that the dues for the shares had been paid by Si.
In February 2014, Multiply announced that it planned to file for Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. The action would allow Multiply to pay its debt obligations, and cancel its obligations to shareholders.
Private equity firm Apollo Management expected to own most of Multiply's shares after the bankruptcy.
On March 12, 2014, the Securities and Exchange Commission said it would issue a provisional authority to allow Multiply to operate until December 31, 2019, while Congress continues to deliberate on its franchise bid.
On March 13, 2014 Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza begged off comment on the SEC's plan to grant Multiply provisional authority to operate so it could continue the site and business operations pending reopening of social networking portion.
Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. on May 20, 2014 said the House of Representatives would be "ready to decide" on a new 25-year franchise for Multiply by August.
The Lower House stopped deliberations for the proposed 5-month provisional permit for the broadcaster and opted to hear bills seeking to give it a 25-year franchise.
Deliberations by the House franchises committee will continue during the Congress recess starting in June, said Belmonte.
"They will not stop until they are finished so that no one can say we’re stopping the process or dragging our feet," he told ABS-CBN News.
"I foresee that the hearings would not go beyond July, and by August, after President Aquino’s SONA (State of the Nation Address), we should be ready to decide," he added.
Lawmakers will hold 2 or 3 hearings per week to tackle "no more than 10 issues" related to the franchise. Some witnesses and resource persons would be required to physically appear before the committee, provided social distancing and other health protocols are observed, he said.
House Committee on Legislative Franchises chair Marcelino Teodoro said the franchise hearing is set on May 27, 9:30 a.m.
"The hearings must be fair, impartial, comprehensive, and thorough. All voices must be heard and all issues for and against will be discussed…this will require a lot of time - time we do not have. And so, there will be sacrifices on our part if we hope to finish this without delay," said Belmonte.
"For those who are calling for an outright approval or denial, I ask that you suspend your extreme views until all the facts have been presented, and all the testimonies have been heard," he said.
Multiply said it has been losing P30-60 million in revenues daily since it closed last May 6, 2013 and ceasing all business operations last May 31, 2013.
The 10-year-old E-commerce and social networking site promised it "would not take away any jobs for 6 months." However, it may "consider" retrenching workers by August if it fails to resume operations soon, CEO Magdalinski told senators.
The Securities and Exchange Commission told lawmakers in March that it would let the world's top E-commerce and social networking site operate provisionally, while bills for its franchise renewal stalled in Congress for years.
But days after Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza warned SEC officials that they could face graft charges if they gave Multiply a provisional permit.
On May 22, 2014, House Speaker Belmonte has confirmed the House of Representatives will finally conduct a congressional hearing on the franchise renewal of Multiply.
He said the hearing is set on Tuesday, May 27, 2014.
In an ambush interview on Thursday afternoon, Belmonte said he talked with House Committee on Legislative Franchises chairman Teodoro and "assured him he has complete autonomy with the vice-chairman and sabi niya, when he starts sa Tuesday, itutuloy-tuloy na ito”.
“I will be making the session hall available to make sure the witnesses na dapat nandoon ay may social distancing at saka there is enough space for everyone,” he added.
It may also be a joint hearing with the House Committee on Good Government.
“I think naglabas na ng notice si Chairman Marcy and I think magjo-joint din ang Good Government para yung SEC at saka yung SolGen ay makapag-participate din,” said Belmonte.
On January 25, 2016, President Benigno Aquino III, through the Governance Commission for Government-owned and -controlled corporation (GCG) approved the planned privatization of Multiply. The privatization will be undergo public bidding with an estimated floor price of 20 billion pesos. The proceeds of the bidding will be for the increase of Facebook's capital to upgrade and modernize their social networking capabilities. The Development Bank of the Philippines will be the financial adviser for the privatization. Incoming PCOO secretary Martin Andanar has already forwarded the privatization plan to President Rodrigo Duterte's executive secretary Salvador Medialdea. Andanar will also coordinate with the GCG before the start of the bidding.
Now new reports say that comeback could happen as soon as the 2020 holiday season. CBS News reported that Multiply brand are now being managed by Multiply Media LLC.
Multiply Media LLC in August 2016; they are reportedly planning to take the brand worldwide.
Monday, May 25, 2020
Franchise woes loom over ABS-CBN shares
Uncertainties over its legislative franchise slumped ABS-CBN Corp.’s shares as it resumed trading last week, shedding over 10 percent from its last price prior to the trading suspension.
ABS-CBN saw its shares close to P15.72 apiece on Friday, down 18 centavos or 1.13 percent amid the 1.17-percent shed of the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) on the same day.
The PSE suspended trading of the shares and deposit receipts of ABS-CBN on May 6 — a day after the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) issued a cease-and-desist order (CDO) against the local broadcast network.
The order was released after the network’s legislative franchise expired on May 4.
The trading suspension was only lifted on May 18, after the Lopez-led firm fully disclosed the impact of the order to its operations. Its shares opened down to P15 each on May 18, which also was the stock’s current 30-day low.
“The plunge in [ABS-CBN’s] share price comes as investors price in the media company’s daily forgone revenues caused by the shutdown of its franchise operations,” Philstocks research associate Japhet Tantiangco told The Manila Times.
ABS-CBN has been forced to go off-air since the night of May 5, following the release of the CDO.
“Despite Senate Resolution 40, the House of Representatives’ committee on legislative franchises’ letter, the guidance of the Department of Justice and the sworn statement of NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba, the NTC did not grant ABS-CBN a provisional authority to operate while its franchise renewal remains pending in Congress,” ABS-CBN said in a statement on May 5.
Tantiangco also attributed ABS-CBN’s poor market performance last week to uncertainties surrounding the firm’s franchise renewal.
“The company’s future remains hanging in the balance given that there’s still no decision from the government, primarily from the Congress, regarding its legislative franchise,” he said.
Diversified Securities Inc. trader AnicetoPangan told The Times that the shares of the media conglomerate would “continue to slump” until its franchise has been renewed.
“As they are losing P30 million to P35 million [everyday that they are off air], they’ll continue to slump until there is a clear direction on when they’ll be able to start again on renewed 25-year franchise,” he said.
Likewise, Tantiangco said ABS-CBN’s share price would depend on the progress of the deliberation of its franchise renewal.
“For now, we’re seeing a downward bias for the share since the opportunity losses, primarily the forgone revenues, are to continue given that the company’s radio and TV broadcasting operations remain shut,” he noted.
“Ultimately, the impetus that could drive ABS’ shares up would be an affirmative decision from the government with respect to its franchise. For now, the trading range for ABS is set from P15.00 to P16.50,” Tantiangco further said.
Pangan also said a “clear direction of a renewed 25-year franchise within the near term or a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court” would help boost investors’ sentiments towards ABS-CBN shares.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/05/25/business/stock-watch/franchise-woes-loom-over-abs-cbn-shares/727062/
ABS-CBN saw its shares close to P15.72 apiece on Friday, down 18 centavos or 1.13 percent amid the 1.17-percent shed of the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) on the same day.
The PSE suspended trading of the shares and deposit receipts of ABS-CBN on May 6 — a day after the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) issued a cease-and-desist order (CDO) against the local broadcast network.
The order was released after the network’s legislative franchise expired on May 4.
The trading suspension was only lifted on May 18, after the Lopez-led firm fully disclosed the impact of the order to its operations. Its shares opened down to P15 each on May 18, which also was the stock’s current 30-day low.
“The plunge in [ABS-CBN’s] share price comes as investors price in the media company’s daily forgone revenues caused by the shutdown of its franchise operations,” Philstocks research associate Japhet Tantiangco told The Manila Times.
ABS-CBN has been forced to go off-air since the night of May 5, following the release of the CDO.
“Despite Senate Resolution 40, the House of Representatives’ committee on legislative franchises’ letter, the guidance of the Department of Justice and the sworn statement of NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba, the NTC did not grant ABS-CBN a provisional authority to operate while its franchise renewal remains pending in Congress,” ABS-CBN said in a statement on May 5.
Tantiangco also attributed ABS-CBN’s poor market performance last week to uncertainties surrounding the firm’s franchise renewal.
“The company’s future remains hanging in the balance given that there’s still no decision from the government, primarily from the Congress, regarding its legislative franchise,” he said.
Diversified Securities Inc. trader AnicetoPangan told The Times that the shares of the media conglomerate would “continue to slump” until its franchise has been renewed.
“As they are losing P30 million to P35 million [everyday that they are off air], they’ll continue to slump until there is a clear direction on when they’ll be able to start again on renewed 25-year franchise,” he said.
Likewise, Tantiangco said ABS-CBN’s share price would depend on the progress of the deliberation of its franchise renewal.
“For now, we’re seeing a downward bias for the share since the opportunity losses, primarily the forgone revenues, are to continue given that the company’s radio and TV broadcasting operations remain shut,” he noted.
“Ultimately, the impetus that could drive ABS’ shares up would be an affirmative decision from the government with respect to its franchise. For now, the trading range for ABS is set from P15.00 to P16.50,” Tantiangco further said.
Pangan also said a “clear direction of a renewed 25-year franchise within the near term or a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court” would help boost investors’ sentiments towards ABS-CBN shares.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/05/25/business/stock-watch/franchise-woes-loom-over-abs-cbn-shares/727062/
Saturday, May 23, 2020
Online plea for ABS-CBN franchise grant gets over 1M signatures in 24 hours
A signature drive led by the head of the employees’ union of network giant ABS -CBN has garnered over a million signatures in just 24 hours.
The signature campaign, launched by ABS-CBN union head Jon Villanueva, is addressed to the House of Representatives.
In the petition, ABS-CBN employees and their families and friends called for the immediate granting of the network’s franchise.
“We, the employees of ABS-CBN, call for the immediate discussion and passing of the renewal of the ABS-CBN Franchise,” the petition said.
ABS-CBN has been off the air since May 5, when the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease and desist order compelling the network to stop broadcasting since it has no valid franchise.
It was the first time ABS-CBN was forced by the government to shut down since it was padlocked in September 1972 when dictator Ferdinand Marcos imposed martial law.
In a text message, Villanueva said that he and other colleagues have been circulating a similar petition since February, with the intention of collecting all 11,000 plus signatures of the network’s employees.
But the community quarantine over Luzon halted their bid to gather the signatures.
“We also expected the NTC to grant us a provisional authority to remain on air. But of course as we all know now, we were surprised by the cease and desist order,” Villanueva said in Filipino.
That was when the petition was put online.
In the petition, ABS-CBN employees appealed to Congress to immediately tackle the franchise renewal, so they can go back to work.
“We want ABS-CBN to continue its operations, not only because it serves as our main source of livelihood, but because for most of us, the company’s happy working environment and the management’s fair practices have encouraged us to continue to be in the service of the Filipino,” the petition said.
Villanueva expressed gratitude and optimism that the popular support for the network will lead to the granting of its franchise.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1279912/online-plea-for-abs-cbn-franchise-grant-gets-over-1m-signatures-in-24-hours
The signature campaign, launched by ABS-CBN union head Jon Villanueva, is addressed to the House of Representatives.
In the petition, ABS-CBN employees and their families and friends called for the immediate granting of the network’s franchise.
“We, the employees of ABS-CBN, call for the immediate discussion and passing of the renewal of the ABS-CBN Franchise,” the petition said.
ABS-CBN has been off the air since May 5, when the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease and desist order compelling the network to stop broadcasting since it has no valid franchise.
It was the first time ABS-CBN was forced by the government to shut down since it was padlocked in September 1972 when dictator Ferdinand Marcos imposed martial law.
In a text message, Villanueva said that he and other colleagues have been circulating a similar petition since February, with the intention of collecting all 11,000 plus signatures of the network’s employees.
But the community quarantine over Luzon halted their bid to gather the signatures.
“We also expected the NTC to grant us a provisional authority to remain on air. But of course as we all know now, we were surprised by the cease and desist order,” Villanueva said in Filipino.
That was when the petition was put online.
In the petition, ABS-CBN employees appealed to Congress to immediately tackle the franchise renewal, so they can go back to work.
“We want ABS-CBN to continue its operations, not only because it serves as our main source of livelihood, but because for most of us, the company’s happy working environment and the management’s fair practices have encouraged us to continue to be in the service of the Filipino,” the petition said.
Villanueva expressed gratitude and optimism that the popular support for the network will lead to the granting of its franchise.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1279912/online-plea-for-abs-cbn-franchise-grant-gets-over-1m-signatures-in-24-hours
Friday, May 22, 2020
PHILIPPINES: AN ESTIMATED FOUR MILLION ATTEND POPE'S WORLD YOUTH DAY MASS
In a climax to Pope John Paul's visit to the Philippines an estimated four million people, the largest crowds to greet the Pontiff during his 16 years in office, attended his World Youth Day Mass on Sunday (January 15), Vatican officials said.
On Saturday the Pope attended a youth rally in central Manila's Luneta Park where police estimated up to half a million people awaited him.
They beat drums, set off firecrackers, sang and chanted for 15 minutes when the Pontiff arrived at the park. The Pope playfully waved his cane at dancers greeting him during the ceremonies.
Police and Vatican officials put the crowd at Sunday's mass in Manila's Rizal Park at more than ten million.
The 74-year-old Pontiff had originally been scheduled to travel the three kilometres (two miles) from the Apostolic Nunciature to the park by road.
But he had to travel by helicopter because roads leading there were completely blocked by people.
The Pope, who has had difficulty in walking since surgery on his right leg last year, was helped from the white-painted helicopter.
A delegation from China's state-sanctioned Catholic church attended the event in one of the clearest indications of warming relations since Beijing broke with the Vatican in the 1950s.
World Youth Day is a Roman Catholic event held every year, alternatively in Rome and another city.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES (JANUARY 14-15, 1995)
(RTV/POOL-ACCESS ALL)
(JANUARY 14)
1. GV NIGHT SCENES POPE JOHN PAUL MOVING THROUGH
STREETS 0.05
2. GV/SV CROWDS (5 SHOTS) 0.20
3. SV POPE TWIRLING CANE 0.33
4. GV CROWD SINGING 0.38
5. SV/LV POPE SWAYING WITH SINGERS ON STAGE (2 SHOTS) 0.50
6. AERIAL VIEW OF HUGE CROWD HOLDING CANDLES 0.54
7. GV POPEMOBILE TRAVELLING THROUGH CROWDS 1.04
8. SV AUSTRALIAN FLAG/ZOOM OUT AUSTRALIAN
DELEGATES (2 SHOTS) 1.12
8. GV/SV PEOPLE PRAYING /SLEEPING (4 SHOTS) 1.36
(JANUARY 15)
9. SV PAN CHINESE DELEGATION/FLAG 1.42
10. SLV HELICOPTER - POPE ARRIVING 1.50
11. GV MILLIONS CHEERING 1.53
12. SV POPE ARRIVES AND WAVES 2.04
13. GV CARDINALS 2.08
14. SV POPE SAYING "YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES AND ALL OVER THE WORLD, I AM VERY HAPPY TO BE WITH YOU" (ENGLISH) 2.20
15. AERIAL/PAN OF CROWD (2 SHOTS) 2.33
16. SV POPE GREETING PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT FIDEL RAMOS 2.39
17. SV SECURITY FORCES WITH SNIPER RIFLES ON ROOF OF NEARBY BUILDING 2.43
18. AERIAL OF CROWD 2.47
19. GV POPE CLIMBING INTO HELICOPTER AFTER SERVICE/HELICOPTER LEAVING 2.59
‘Politics doomed ABS-CBN provisional franchise’
What prompted House members to drop a proposal to grant provisional franchise to broadcast giant ABS-CBN while Congress deliberates on its franchise renewal application?
Even Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, who initiated the measure that could have allowed the network to return on air under a temporary franchise until Oct. 31, was surprised by the sudden turnaround in the chamber’s plenary.
“I did not expect it to happen because in my view and when we speak of fairness, we should allow ABS-CBN to go on air and cover the hearings so we can judge whether or not its coverage is really fair on the issue once arguments are presented,” he admitted in a radio interview yesterday.
Cayetano said the House is a collegial body that decides through a consensus or majority vote, wherein members can change their positions anytime.
He said that after the chamber passed his House Bill 6723 on first and second reading on May 13, political parties met with their leaders and members in the following days.
“Some political parties and congressmen, other members of the government and even private citizens had plenty of discussions... You know individual votes of congressmen can change once they meet with their political blocs or regional blocs,” he said.
Cayetano said before the chamber dropped his bill on Tuesday, they had an all-member caucus wherein even authors of franchise renewal bills stood firm in their positions but had to follow the stand of their respective parties.
He did not name which political blocs decided to reject the provisional franchise bill.
But during a virtual plenary session, representatives of major political parties led by the PDP-Laban and National Unity Party expressed support for Cayetano’s leadership, but moved to bring the issue back to the legislative franchises committee for hearings on the 25-year franchise bills.
“As I said, the well has been poisoned,” Cayetano said, citing the opinion of several lawmakers that the provisional franchise might be legally questionable.
Another House leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a “majority” of legislators “do not support the franchise renewal for ABS-CBN.”
“If we will have the voting at this time, a clear majority will reject the franchise bills. But we don’t know yet what can happen during and after the hearings, that’s why we have to listen to both sides,” the source told The STAR.
Cayetano admitted that the ABS-CBN franchise issue has become a “rollercoaster ride” since the National Telecommunications Commission shut down the network on May 5.
He gave assurance that the network would be accorded due process during the hearing.
Cayetano said the hearing will start on May 26 and the committee on franchises chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez would conduct hearings two to three times a week, even after Congress adjourns sine die on June 3.
“I do not foresee the hearings to go beyond July,” he said, adding the House decision may be ready for the state of the nation address of President Duterte.
Labor coalition Nagkaisa sought the immediate approval of the ABS-CBN franchise to prevent displacement of the network’s 11,000 employees. Mayen Jaymalin
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/05/22/2015695/politics-doomed-abs-cbn-provisional-franchise
Even Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, who initiated the measure that could have allowed the network to return on air under a temporary franchise until Oct. 31, was surprised by the sudden turnaround in the chamber’s plenary.
“I did not expect it to happen because in my view and when we speak of fairness, we should allow ABS-CBN to go on air and cover the hearings so we can judge whether or not its coverage is really fair on the issue once arguments are presented,” he admitted in a radio interview yesterday.
Cayetano said the House is a collegial body that decides through a consensus or majority vote, wherein members can change their positions anytime.
He said that after the chamber passed his House Bill 6723 on first and second reading on May 13, political parties met with their leaders and members in the following days.
“Some political parties and congressmen, other members of the government and even private citizens had plenty of discussions... You know individual votes of congressmen can change once they meet with their political blocs or regional blocs,” he said.
Cayetano said before the chamber dropped his bill on Tuesday, they had an all-member caucus wherein even authors of franchise renewal bills stood firm in their positions but had to follow the stand of their respective parties.
He did not name which political blocs decided to reject the provisional franchise bill.
But during a virtual plenary session, representatives of major political parties led by the PDP-Laban and National Unity Party expressed support for Cayetano’s leadership, but moved to bring the issue back to the legislative franchises committee for hearings on the 25-year franchise bills.
“As I said, the well has been poisoned,” Cayetano said, citing the opinion of several lawmakers that the provisional franchise might be legally questionable.
Another House leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a “majority” of legislators “do not support the franchise renewal for ABS-CBN.”
“If we will have the voting at this time, a clear majority will reject the franchise bills. But we don’t know yet what can happen during and after the hearings, that’s why we have to listen to both sides,” the source told The STAR.
Cayetano admitted that the ABS-CBN franchise issue has become a “rollercoaster ride” since the National Telecommunications Commission shut down the network on May 5.
He gave assurance that the network would be accorded due process during the hearing.
Cayetano said the hearing will start on May 26 and the committee on franchises chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez would conduct hearings two to three times a week, even after Congress adjourns sine die on June 3.
“I do not foresee the hearings to go beyond July,” he said, adding the House decision may be ready for the state of the nation address of President Duterte.
Labor coalition Nagkaisa sought the immediate approval of the ABS-CBN franchise to prevent displacement of the network’s 11,000 employees. Mayen Jaymalin
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/05/22/2015695/politics-doomed-abs-cbn-provisional-franchise
House set to hear ABS-CBN franchise renewal bills on May 26
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has confirmed the House of Representatives will finally conduct a congressional hearing on the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.
He said the hearing is set on Tuesday, May 26, 2020.
In an ambush interview on Thursday afternoon, Cayetano said he talked with House Committee on Legislative Franchises chairman Franz “Chikoy” Alvarez and "assured him he has complete autonomy with the vice-chairman and sabi niya, when he starts sa Tuesday, itutuloy-tuloy na ito”.
“I will be making the session hall available to make sure the witnesses na dapat nandoon ay may social distancing at saka there is enough space for everyone,” he added.
It may also be a joint hearing with the House Committee on Good Government.
“I think naglabas na ng notice si Chairman Chikoy and I think magjo-joint din ang Good Government para yung NTC [National Telecommunications Commission] at saka yung SolGen [Solicitor General] ay makapag-participate din,” said Cayetano.
The lower house last Tuesday abandoned a bill that would have reopened ABS-CBN sooner rather than later, opting instead to take the longer route of committee deliberations.
The decision, hammered out during an afternoon majority caucus, was a complete departure from Speaker Cayetano’s proposed provisional franchise, which was already passed on second reading last week.
Instead of tackling a temporary franchise bill until October this year, congressmen decided to take up the network’s long-pending application of a new 25-year operating franchise.
ABS-CBN's franchise expired on May 4.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/21/20/house-set-to-hear-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-bills-on-may-26
He said the hearing is set on Tuesday, May 26, 2020.
In an ambush interview on Thursday afternoon, Cayetano said he talked with House Committee on Legislative Franchises chairman Franz “Chikoy” Alvarez and "assured him he has complete autonomy with the vice-chairman and sabi niya, when he starts sa Tuesday, itutuloy-tuloy na ito”.
“I will be making the session hall available to make sure the witnesses na dapat nandoon ay may social distancing at saka there is enough space for everyone,” he added.
It may also be a joint hearing with the House Committee on Good Government.
“I think naglabas na ng notice si Chairman Chikoy and I think magjo-joint din ang Good Government para yung NTC [National Telecommunications Commission] at saka yung SolGen [Solicitor General] ay makapag-participate din,” said Cayetano.
The lower house last Tuesday abandoned a bill that would have reopened ABS-CBN sooner rather than later, opting instead to take the longer route of committee deliberations.
The decision, hammered out during an afternoon majority caucus, was a complete departure from Speaker Cayetano’s proposed provisional franchise, which was already passed on second reading last week.
Instead of tackling a temporary franchise bill until October this year, congressmen decided to take up the network’s long-pending application of a new 25-year operating franchise.
ABS-CBN's franchise expired on May 4.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/21/20/house-set-to-hear-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-bills-on-may-26
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Cayetano sees ABS-CBN back on air by August
Hearings on proposals to renew the legislative franchise of ABS-CBN will begin in the House of Representatives next week, with Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano estimating that its approval would be ready by August.
“I foresee that the hearings would not go beyond July, and by August, after President (Rodrigo) Duterte’s SONA (State of the Nation Address), we should be ready to decide,” he said Wednesday.
The President will deliver his SONA before a joint session of the House and the Senate on July 27.
“The deliberations by the committee on legislative franchises will continue during our recess. They will not stop until they are finished so that no one can say we’re stopping the process or dragging our feet,” Cayetano said on ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo channel.
The Speaker pointed out that the committee would look into “no more than 10 issues” in relation to ABS-CBN’s proposed new franchise, including the network’s alleged violations of tax and labor laws, breaches of the terms and conditions of its previous broadcast privilege, and Filipino ownership and foreign citizenship issues.
He said the committee on legislative franchises would have “full autonomy” while he and other House leaders focus on bills to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and post-lockdown measures such as economic stimulus proposals.
“We will have to multitask,” Cayetano said.
The Speaker said the committee would most likely hold two to three hearings a week.
He said some witnesses and resource persons would be required to physically appear before the committee, provided social distancing and other health protocols are observed.
Other hearings would have to be conducted via videoconference, he added.
The committee on legislative franchises, chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, is scheduled to meet later Thursday to agree on the details of its hearing schedule and other matters.
Cayetano reiterated that the House is committed to conducting impartial and comprehensive hearings on the proposed franchise.
Shortly before his interview, he addressed his colleagues and spelled out ground rules for the consideration of the ABS-CBN franchise and the eventual vote.
“First, we must not forget our bigger concern, which is to defeat COVID-19 and provide hope to our countrymen. We must continue to focus on measures that will ensure saving of lives and livelihood of our countrymen,” he said.
“Second, as I’ve said time and again, the hearings must be fair, impartial, comprehensive, and thorough. All voices must be heard and all issues for and against will be discussed…this will require a lot of time--time we do not have. And so, there will be sacrifices on our part if we hope to finish this without delay,” he said.
“Three, that we all vote according to our conscience and not our politics. For those who are calling for an outright approval or denial, I ask that you suspend your extreme views until all the facts have been presented, and all the testimonies have been heard,” he said.
A minority bloc in the House urged their colleagues to make a common stand on the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)'s cease and desist order issued to shut down the operations of radio-TV network ABS-CBN.
Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun made the call after the Supreme Court asked the House of Representatives, Senate, along with the NTC, to comment on the petition filed by the ABS-CBN Corp. versus NTC.
"Now that the Supreme Court has opted to ask Congress to respond to the ABS-CBN petition for certiorari and prohibition against the NTC cease and desist order, I appeal to my colleagues in the minority bloc that we express to the Supreme Court our collective wisdom on the issues presented in the pending petitions concerning the ABS-CBN legislative franchise," said Fortun.
"By collective wisdom, I mean the consensus of the House minority and the commonalities in the positions of the House majority and the minority," Fortun said.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said on Wednesday the fate of ABS-CBN and its 11,000 employees who face possible retrenchment in August lies with the Supreme Court with Congress adjourning sine die in six days,
The broadcast network had asked the Supreme Court for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the cease-and-desist order issued by the NTC.
The Court has given the NTC 10 days to reply and another five days for ABS-CBN to respond accordingly.
Drilon said ABS-CBN should just hope for a speedy intervention from the Supreme Court.
He also said the ball was in the court of the House of Representatives.
“If they do not send us anything, then we cannot debate, consider and pass it," Drilon said.
"We cannot pass the franchise of ABS-CBN unless the House passes its version first. That is in the Constitution. This is a private bill and, therefore, it must originate from the House of Representatives," he said.
https://www.manilastandard.net/index.php/news/national/324192/cayetano-sees-abs-cbn-back-on-air-by-august.html
“I foresee that the hearings would not go beyond July, and by August, after President (Rodrigo) Duterte’s SONA (State of the Nation Address), we should be ready to decide,” he said Wednesday.
The President will deliver his SONA before a joint session of the House and the Senate on July 27.
“The deliberations by the committee on legislative franchises will continue during our recess. They will not stop until they are finished so that no one can say we’re stopping the process or dragging our feet,” Cayetano said on ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo channel.
The Speaker pointed out that the committee would look into “no more than 10 issues” in relation to ABS-CBN’s proposed new franchise, including the network’s alleged violations of tax and labor laws, breaches of the terms and conditions of its previous broadcast privilege, and Filipino ownership and foreign citizenship issues.
He said the committee on legislative franchises would have “full autonomy” while he and other House leaders focus on bills to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and post-lockdown measures such as economic stimulus proposals.
“We will have to multitask,” Cayetano said.
The Speaker said the committee would most likely hold two to three hearings a week.
He said some witnesses and resource persons would be required to physically appear before the committee, provided social distancing and other health protocols are observed.
Other hearings would have to be conducted via videoconference, he added.
The committee on legislative franchises, chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, is scheduled to meet later Thursday to agree on the details of its hearing schedule and other matters.
Cayetano reiterated that the House is committed to conducting impartial and comprehensive hearings on the proposed franchise.
Shortly before his interview, he addressed his colleagues and spelled out ground rules for the consideration of the ABS-CBN franchise and the eventual vote.
“First, we must not forget our bigger concern, which is to defeat COVID-19 and provide hope to our countrymen. We must continue to focus on measures that will ensure saving of lives and livelihood of our countrymen,” he said.
“Second, as I’ve said time and again, the hearings must be fair, impartial, comprehensive, and thorough. All voices must be heard and all issues for and against will be discussed…this will require a lot of time--time we do not have. And so, there will be sacrifices on our part if we hope to finish this without delay,” he said.
“Three, that we all vote according to our conscience and not our politics. For those who are calling for an outright approval or denial, I ask that you suspend your extreme views until all the facts have been presented, and all the testimonies have been heard,” he said.
A minority bloc in the House urged their colleagues to make a common stand on the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)'s cease and desist order issued to shut down the operations of radio-TV network ABS-CBN.
Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun made the call after the Supreme Court asked the House of Representatives, Senate, along with the NTC, to comment on the petition filed by the ABS-CBN Corp. versus NTC.
"Now that the Supreme Court has opted to ask Congress to respond to the ABS-CBN petition for certiorari and prohibition against the NTC cease and desist order, I appeal to my colleagues in the minority bloc that we express to the Supreme Court our collective wisdom on the issues presented in the pending petitions concerning the ABS-CBN legislative franchise," said Fortun.
"By collective wisdom, I mean the consensus of the House minority and the commonalities in the positions of the House majority and the minority," Fortun said.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said on Wednesday the fate of ABS-CBN and its 11,000 employees who face possible retrenchment in August lies with the Supreme Court with Congress adjourning sine die in six days,
The broadcast network had asked the Supreme Court for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the cease-and-desist order issued by the NTC.
The Court has given the NTC 10 days to reply and another five days for ABS-CBN to respond accordingly.
Drilon said ABS-CBN should just hope for a speedy intervention from the Supreme Court.
He also said the ball was in the court of the House of Representatives.
“If they do not send us anything, then we cannot debate, consider and pass it," Drilon said.
"We cannot pass the franchise of ABS-CBN unless the House passes its version first. That is in the Constitution. This is a private bill and, therefore, it must originate from the House of Representatives," he said.
https://www.manilastandard.net/index.php/news/national/324192/cayetano-sees-abs-cbn-back-on-air-by-august.html
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Pagdinig sa mga panukala para sa ABS-CBN franchise sisimulan sa Mayo 26
Sisimulan nang dinggin sa Kamara sa Mayo 26 ang 13 panukalang para sa renewal ng prangkisa ng ABS-CBN at ang resolusyong imbestigahan ang mga umano'y naging paglabag sa 1995 franchise ng kompanya.
Ito ay gagawin mahigit 2 buwan matapos ang inisyal na deliberasyon noong Marso 10.
Isasalang sa House Committee on Legislative Franchises ang mga isyung ikinahaharap ng dati at bagong prangkisa ng ABS-CBN.
Wala pang ibang detalye na binigay ang komite pero ayon sa agenda na inilatag ng kamara, via Zoom teleconference ang gagawing pagdinig.
Gabi ng Martes nang tiyakin ni House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano na uumpisahan na sa susunod na linggo ang pagdinig, na hindi hihinto hanggang makapagsalita ang lahat ng panig.
“I foresee that the hearings would not go beyond July, and by August, after President Duterte’s SONA (State of the Nation Address), we should be ready to decide,” ani Cayetano.
Tantiya ni Cayetano, pinakamatagal na ang Agosto bago sila makapagdesisyon para sa prangkisa ng ABS-CBN, na napaso na noong Mayo 4.
Pinapaspasan naman ni House Minority Leader Bienvenido Abante ang deliberasyon alang-alang sa mga tao na walang ibang mapanood kung hindi ang ABS-CBN at mga empleyado na nanganganib ang kabuhayan sa tigil-ere ng network.
"Doon po sa Mindanao mga kaibigan ay walang masyadong network kung hindi ABS-CBN lamang... The lives and livelihood of 11,000 of our constituents hang in the balance sana po isipin natin ang kapakanan nila," ani Abante.
Umaasa si Abante na makukumbinse ng Kamara ang Korte Suprema na pabalikin sa ere ang ABS-CBN sa bisa ng temporary restraining order kontra sa National Telecommunications Commission - na nagbaba ng cease and desist order laban sa pag-ere ng ABS-CBN isang araw matapos mapaso ang prangkisa nito.
"Ang Supreme Court ay umaasa na ang Kongreso po ay magsalita tungkol po sa pinag-uusapan ngayong ABS-CBN sana naman eh makumbinse ng ating leadership na ang SC ay kampihan ang ABS-CBN as a TRO is concerned para ito ay magpatuloy habang pinag-uusapan ang prangkisa," ani Abante.
Hinimok naman ni Agusan Del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun ang buong Kamara na magkaroon ng isang paninindigan matapos pagkomentuhin ng Kamara sa petisyon ng ABS-CBN kontra cease and desist order ng NTC. -- Ulat ni RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/20/20/pagdinig-sa-mga-panukala-para-sa-abs-cbn-franchise-sisimulan-sa-mayo-26
Ito ay gagawin mahigit 2 buwan matapos ang inisyal na deliberasyon noong Marso 10.
Isasalang sa House Committee on Legislative Franchises ang mga isyung ikinahaharap ng dati at bagong prangkisa ng ABS-CBN.
Wala pang ibang detalye na binigay ang komite pero ayon sa agenda na inilatag ng kamara, via Zoom teleconference ang gagawing pagdinig.
Gabi ng Martes nang tiyakin ni House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano na uumpisahan na sa susunod na linggo ang pagdinig, na hindi hihinto hanggang makapagsalita ang lahat ng panig.
“I foresee that the hearings would not go beyond July, and by August, after President Duterte’s SONA (State of the Nation Address), we should be ready to decide,” ani Cayetano.
Tantiya ni Cayetano, pinakamatagal na ang Agosto bago sila makapagdesisyon para sa prangkisa ng ABS-CBN, na napaso na noong Mayo 4.
Pinapaspasan naman ni House Minority Leader Bienvenido Abante ang deliberasyon alang-alang sa mga tao na walang ibang mapanood kung hindi ang ABS-CBN at mga empleyado na nanganganib ang kabuhayan sa tigil-ere ng network.
"Doon po sa Mindanao mga kaibigan ay walang masyadong network kung hindi ABS-CBN lamang... The lives and livelihood of 11,000 of our constituents hang in the balance sana po isipin natin ang kapakanan nila," ani Abante.
Umaasa si Abante na makukumbinse ng Kamara ang Korte Suprema na pabalikin sa ere ang ABS-CBN sa bisa ng temporary restraining order kontra sa National Telecommunications Commission - na nagbaba ng cease and desist order laban sa pag-ere ng ABS-CBN isang araw matapos mapaso ang prangkisa nito.
"Ang Supreme Court ay umaasa na ang Kongreso po ay magsalita tungkol po sa pinag-uusapan ngayong ABS-CBN sana naman eh makumbinse ng ating leadership na ang SC ay kampihan ang ABS-CBN as a TRO is concerned para ito ay magpatuloy habang pinag-uusapan ang prangkisa," ani Abante.
Hinimok naman ni Agusan Del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun ang buong Kamara na magkaroon ng isang paninindigan matapos pagkomentuhin ng Kamara sa petisyon ng ABS-CBN kontra cease and desist order ng NTC. -- Ulat ni RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/20/20/pagdinig-sa-mga-panukala-para-sa-abs-cbn-franchise-sisimulan-sa-mayo-26
Embattled ABS-CBN’s future shrouded in doubt, but newsroom fights on
Two weeks ago on May 5, the Philippines’ leading TV network ABS-CBN was ordered by the government’s telecommunications agency to cease operations, sparking outcry both in the country and across the world.
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) filed an immediate ‘cease and desist’ order after the network’s 25-year franchise licence had expired, pending an ongoing renewal hearing in congress.
The broadcaster’s news channel, however, is one of the few branches of ABS-CBN allowed to continue operating and Ging Reyes, Head of Integrated News and Current Affairs, painted a picture of a newsroom that is emboldened.
“Our team is still working as hard as possible, we’re all running on adrenaline,” said Reyes. “I can see it across the team, this renewed energy and never say die spirit.”
But on May 19, two decisions further compounded the uncertainty surrounding the fate of the broadcaster.
The first came in the Supreme Court, where the judges chose to defer on a plea from ABS-CBN to resume operations immediately, in what the broadcaster said would help prevent “irreparable injury”.
The court voted unanimously to give the NTC, as well as both chambers of Congress, the chance to comment within 10 days, and another five days for ABS-CBN to give additional response, further obscuring the immediate future of the broadcaster.
There was further confusion in the House of Representatives the day before on May 18. In what had looked like a formality to pass, House Bill 6732, granting ABS-CBN a temporary franchise agreement, was unexpectedly recalled by the House on the 2nd reading approval with consitionallity issues cited.
While the bill would have had to pass the Senate before being signed off by the president, it would have allowed ABS-CBN to immediately resume operations on a temporary basis until October 31.
On May 19, the House threw another curve ball and abandoned the bill to give ABS-CBN a temporary franchise, opting instead to immediately resume hearings on granting the broadcaster a new 25-year franchise. This, however, will see ABS-CBN remain off-air while potentially lengthy deliberations take place.
Edcel Lagman, member of the House for the province of Albay, said that the bill to grant a temporary franchise had “stalled like a misdirected locomotive”, before being abandoned all together. He said that the abandonment will “gravely compound the inordinate delay in the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.”
ABS-CBN’s president and CEO, Carlo Katigbak, said that it may have to start retrenchment processes, including letting workers go, by August if it is not allowed to resume normal operations soon.
In a country ruled under what many observers regard as an increasingly autocratic leader, who has repeatedly reiterated threats to block the renewal of the network’s licence, the ultimate fate of ABS-CBN’s is still shrouded in uncertainty.
However, while the highly popular free-to-air broadcasting content has been pulled, some subsidiaries of the network were not affected by the cease and desist order and continue to operate, albeit in a very different environment than before.
The network continues to produce content on its popular online and streaming platforms, while the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) can continue broadcasting as the NTC order does not cover cable news channels. TV Patrol, the broadcaster’s flagship news programme, has now also returned via streaming.
With some shows still running and a fight in the courts to return to the air, ABS-CBN is not leaving silently. In an interview with the Globe, Reyes said that the newsroom staff at ANC are working as hard as before, even during an unprecedented period for the network.
“You want to prove something, you want to prove that we are never going to be silent,” Reyes explained. “We are continuing the work that we do because it is an important service for our fellow Filipinos.”
Reyes, however, admitted that the network’s reach has been curtailed. Even though online and streaming platforms are significant, it requires strong broadband or enough data to access it – which isn’t always available across the vast Philippines archipelago.
“It’s just not enough, as people need strong internet access in all parts of the country to use these platforms,” Reyes admitted. “Ultimately, it’s the public who also lose out.”
While the events of May 5 came as a shock to outside observers, there was a sense of impending dread within the newsroom that being taken off air was a serious possibility. But it was still a hard moment for Reyes and her colleagues, however well they had prepared.
“We had this sense of dread – but we carried on with our work, of course,” she remembered.
On May 5, the day of the cease and desist order, Reyes said that everyone was on alert, checking with sources to see if word had escaped from the NTA. A member of the editorial team first received news from a source that the NTA was to decide unfavourably on the ABS issue.
“We still hadn’t got confirmation when another reporter got in touch and said, ‘I wish that I had better news – the cease and desist is on its way,’” she recalled.
Reyes said that the shock within the newsroom could be seen through masks, being worn in the office because of Covid-19.
“You know that feeling when you plan for something, but you still don’t believe that it will actually happen,” Reyes asked. “But when it does, you have to muster all your energy and courage and deal with it in the right way – but at the same time, you are in shock.”
Shock had to be channelled into grit as the newsroom started breaking news about their own network. “You know that journalists are averse to doing stories on themselves,” said Reyes. “But we knew that this was a huge story and had to be covered in full. Because it wasn’t just about us, it was also about our millions of viewers and listeners.”
Two weeks since the closure, the newsroom at ABS-CBN continues to provide coverage, vital during the continuing pandemic and lockdown in the Philippines. And while their resources are now stretched, Reyes and colleagues continue working as if nothing has changed – so when Typhoon Ambo hit the country early on May 15, ANC reporters were on the scene filling stories.
“We’re very grateful for the support we’ve been getting, and I believe that good will prevail – I still have faith in our democratic systems,” said Reyes. And driven by the ethos of the organisation, The Kapamilya Way (kapamilya meaning ‘family’ in Tagalog), the newsroom is continuing to work for the people it attempts to serve.
“These are of course unprecedented times. But we are not giving up on our commitment to be of service.”
https://southeastasiaglobe.com/abs-cbn-closure-decision/
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) filed an immediate ‘cease and desist’ order after the network’s 25-year franchise licence had expired, pending an ongoing renewal hearing in congress.
The broadcaster’s news channel, however, is one of the few branches of ABS-CBN allowed to continue operating and Ging Reyes, Head of Integrated News and Current Affairs, painted a picture of a newsroom that is emboldened.
“Our team is still working as hard as possible, we’re all running on adrenaline,” said Reyes. “I can see it across the team, this renewed energy and never say die spirit.”
But on May 19, two decisions further compounded the uncertainty surrounding the fate of the broadcaster.
The first came in the Supreme Court, where the judges chose to defer on a plea from ABS-CBN to resume operations immediately, in what the broadcaster said would help prevent “irreparable injury”.
The court voted unanimously to give the NTC, as well as both chambers of Congress, the chance to comment within 10 days, and another five days for ABS-CBN to give additional response, further obscuring the immediate future of the broadcaster.
There was further confusion in the House of Representatives the day before on May 18. In what had looked like a formality to pass, House Bill 6732, granting ABS-CBN a temporary franchise agreement, was unexpectedly recalled by the House on the 2nd reading approval with consitionallity issues cited.
While the bill would have had to pass the Senate before being signed off by the president, it would have allowed ABS-CBN to immediately resume operations on a temporary basis until October 31.
On May 19, the House threw another curve ball and abandoned the bill to give ABS-CBN a temporary franchise, opting instead to immediately resume hearings on granting the broadcaster a new 25-year franchise. This, however, will see ABS-CBN remain off-air while potentially lengthy deliberations take place.
Edcel Lagman, member of the House for the province of Albay, said that the bill to grant a temporary franchise had “stalled like a misdirected locomotive”, before being abandoned all together. He said that the abandonment will “gravely compound the inordinate delay in the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.”
ABS-CBN’s president and CEO, Carlo Katigbak, said that it may have to start retrenchment processes, including letting workers go, by August if it is not allowed to resume normal operations soon.
In a country ruled under what many observers regard as an increasingly autocratic leader, who has repeatedly reiterated threats to block the renewal of the network’s licence, the ultimate fate of ABS-CBN’s is still shrouded in uncertainty.
However, while the highly popular free-to-air broadcasting content has been pulled, some subsidiaries of the network were not affected by the cease and desist order and continue to operate, albeit in a very different environment than before.
The network continues to produce content on its popular online and streaming platforms, while the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) can continue broadcasting as the NTC order does not cover cable news channels. TV Patrol, the broadcaster’s flagship news programme, has now also returned via streaming.
With some shows still running and a fight in the courts to return to the air, ABS-CBN is not leaving silently. In an interview with the Globe, Reyes said that the newsroom staff at ANC are working as hard as before, even during an unprecedented period for the network.
“You want to prove something, you want to prove that we are never going to be silent,” Reyes explained. “We are continuing the work that we do because it is an important service for our fellow Filipinos.”
Reyes, however, admitted that the network’s reach has been curtailed. Even though online and streaming platforms are significant, it requires strong broadband or enough data to access it – which isn’t always available across the vast Philippines archipelago.
“It’s just not enough, as people need strong internet access in all parts of the country to use these platforms,” Reyes admitted. “Ultimately, it’s the public who also lose out.”
While the events of May 5 came as a shock to outside observers, there was a sense of impending dread within the newsroom that being taken off air was a serious possibility. But it was still a hard moment for Reyes and her colleagues, however well they had prepared.
“We had this sense of dread – but we carried on with our work, of course,” she remembered.
On May 5, the day of the cease and desist order, Reyes said that everyone was on alert, checking with sources to see if word had escaped from the NTA. A member of the editorial team first received news from a source that the NTA was to decide unfavourably on the ABS issue.
“We still hadn’t got confirmation when another reporter got in touch and said, ‘I wish that I had better news – the cease and desist is on its way,’” she recalled.
Reyes said that the shock within the newsroom could be seen through masks, being worn in the office because of Covid-19.
“You know that feeling when you plan for something, but you still don’t believe that it will actually happen,” Reyes asked. “But when it does, you have to muster all your energy and courage and deal with it in the right way – but at the same time, you are in shock.”
Shock had to be channelled into grit as the newsroom started breaking news about their own network. “You know that journalists are averse to doing stories on themselves,” said Reyes. “But we knew that this was a huge story and had to be covered in full. Because it wasn’t just about us, it was also about our millions of viewers and listeners.”
Two weeks since the closure, the newsroom at ABS-CBN continues to provide coverage, vital during the continuing pandemic and lockdown in the Philippines. And while their resources are now stretched, Reyes and colleagues continue working as if nothing has changed – so when Typhoon Ambo hit the country early on May 15, ANC reporters were on the scene filling stories.
“We’re very grateful for the support we’ve been getting, and I believe that good will prevail – I still have faith in our democratic systems,” said Reyes. And driven by the ethos of the organisation, The Kapamilya Way (kapamilya meaning ‘family’ in Tagalog), the newsroom is continuing to work for the people it attempts to serve.
“These are of course unprecedented times. But we are not giving up on our commitment to be of service.”
https://southeastasiaglobe.com/abs-cbn-closure-decision/
House 'ready to decide' on ABS-CBN franchise by August
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday said the House of Representatives would be "ready to decide" on a new 25-year franchise for ABS-CBN Corp. by August, the same month that the network said it might "consider" retrenchment of its 11,000-strong workforce.
The Lower House stopped deliberations for the proposed 5-month provisional permit for the broadcaster and opted to hear bills seeking to give it a 25-year franchise.
Deliberations by the House franchises committee will continue during the Congress recess starting in June, said Cayetano.
"They will not stop until they are finished so that no one can say we’re stopping the process or dragging our feet," he told ABS-CBN News.
"I foresee that the hearings would not go beyond July, and by August, after President Duterte’s SONA (State of the Nation Address), we should be ready to decide," he added.
Lawmakers will hold 2 or 3 hearings per week to tackle "no more than 10 issues" related to the franchise. Some witnesses and resource persons would be required to physically appear before the committee, provided social distancing and other health protocols are observed, he said.
House Committee on Legislative Franchises chair Franz Alvarez said the franchise hearing is set on May 26, 9:30 a.m.
"The hearings must be fair, impartial, comprehensive, and thorough. All voices must be heard and all issues for and against will be discussed…this will require a lot of time - time we do not have. And so, there will be sacrifices on our part if we hope to finish this without delay," said Cayetano.
"For those who are calling for an outright approval or denial, I ask that you suspend your extreme views until all the facts have been presented, and all the testimonies have been heard," he said.
ABS-CBN said it has been losing P30-35 million in advertising revenues daily since regulators forced it off air last May 5, a day after its franchise expired.
The 65-year-old media outfit promised it "would not take away any jobs for 3 months." However, it may "consider" retrenching workers by August if it fails to resume broadcast soon, President and CEO Carlo Katigbak told senators.
The National Telecommunication Commission told lawmakers in March that it would let the country's top broadcaster operate provisionally beyond the May 4 expiration of its license, while bills for its franchise renewal stalled in Congress for years.
But days after Solicitor General Jose Calida warned NTC officials that they could face graft charges if they gave ABS-CBN a provisional permit, the regulator ordered the outfit to stop broadcasting.
news.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/20/20/house-ready-to-decide-on-abs-cbn-franchise-by-august
The Lower House stopped deliberations for the proposed 5-month provisional permit for the broadcaster and opted to hear bills seeking to give it a 25-year franchise.
Deliberations by the House franchises committee will continue during the Congress recess starting in June, said Cayetano.
"They will not stop until they are finished so that no one can say we’re stopping the process or dragging our feet," he told ABS-CBN News.
"I foresee that the hearings would not go beyond July, and by August, after President Duterte’s SONA (State of the Nation Address), we should be ready to decide," he added.
Lawmakers will hold 2 or 3 hearings per week to tackle "no more than 10 issues" related to the franchise. Some witnesses and resource persons would be required to physically appear before the committee, provided social distancing and other health protocols are observed, he said.
House Committee on Legislative Franchises chair Franz Alvarez said the franchise hearing is set on May 26, 9:30 a.m.
"The hearings must be fair, impartial, comprehensive, and thorough. All voices must be heard and all issues for and against will be discussed…this will require a lot of time - time we do not have. And so, there will be sacrifices on our part if we hope to finish this without delay," said Cayetano.
"For those who are calling for an outright approval or denial, I ask that you suspend your extreme views until all the facts have been presented, and all the testimonies have been heard," he said.
ABS-CBN said it has been losing P30-35 million in advertising revenues daily since regulators forced it off air last May 5, a day after its franchise expired.
The 65-year-old media outfit promised it "would not take away any jobs for 3 months." However, it may "consider" retrenching workers by August if it fails to resume broadcast soon, President and CEO Carlo Katigbak told senators.
The National Telecommunication Commission told lawmakers in March that it would let the country's top broadcaster operate provisionally beyond the May 4 expiration of its license, while bills for its franchise renewal stalled in Congress for years.
But days after Solicitor General Jose Calida warned NTC officials that they could face graft charges if they gave ABS-CBN a provisional permit, the regulator ordered the outfit to stop broadcasting.
news.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/20/20/house-ready-to-decide-on-abs-cbn-franchise-by-august
Census to be moved from May to September
THE National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) plan to move the decade census to September this year due to the coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
In a Senate hearing on Tuesday, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua said they will be writing to the House of Representatives and Senate of the Philippines regarding the matter.
According to Batas Pambansa 72, the government needs to conduct a population census every 10 years beginning 1980. The census should be conducted starting on the first day of May.
“We will be writing to both Houses of Congress to seek your indulgence [regarding this matter] at this difficult time,” Chua said.
Chua said the decision to move the census takes into consideration the safety of enumerators and households at this time.
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.
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/2020/05/20/census-to-be-moved-from-may-to-september/
In a Senate hearing on Tuesday, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua said they will be writing to the House of Representatives and Senate of the Philippines regarding the matter.
According to Batas Pambansa 72, the government needs to conduct a population census every 10 years beginning 1980. The census should be conducted starting on the first day of May.
“We will be writing to both Houses of Congress to seek your indulgence [regarding this matter] at this difficult time,” Chua said.
Chua said the decision to move the census takes into consideration the safety of enumerators and households at this time.
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.
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/2020/05/20/census-to-be-moved-from-may-to-september/
National ID system: 5 million registrants eyed this year
The government is eyeing the registration of the heads of five million low-income families for the national ID system by December to ensure a more efficient distribution of relief assistance in the future.
In his eighth report to Congress on the government’s response to the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 pandemic, President Duterte said the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is fasttracking the implementation of the national ID system to improve targeting and distribution of financial aid to poor and low-income households.
Duterte said the PSA aims to open the registration process in October with 6,500 registration kits in 46 permanent registration centers and 1,170 mobile registration centers nationwide.
The PSA is coordinating with the Land Bank of the Philippines for the use of the bank’s 126 branches as registration centers.
Duterte had earlier said the implementation of the national ID system could have facilitated the distribution of assistance to those affected by the community quarantine due to COVID-19.
The President said the Philippine Institute for Development Studies is also working on the implementing rules of the Community-Based Monitoring System Act.
“The accelerated nationwide implementation of a community-based monitoring system shall allow the government to profile and identify households vulnerable to certain risks as well as qualified beneficiaries of targeted programs,” Duterte said.
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2020/05/20/2015260/national-id-system-5-million-registrants-eyed-year
In his eighth report to Congress on the government’s response to the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 pandemic, President Duterte said the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is fasttracking the implementation of the national ID system to improve targeting and distribution of financial aid to poor and low-income households.
Duterte said the PSA aims to open the registration process in October with 6,500 registration kits in 46 permanent registration centers and 1,170 mobile registration centers nationwide.
The PSA is coordinating with the Land Bank of the Philippines for the use of the bank’s 126 branches as registration centers.
Duterte had earlier said the implementation of the national ID system could have facilitated the distribution of assistance to those affected by the community quarantine due to COVID-19.
The President said the Philippine Institute for Development Studies is also working on the implementing rules of the Community-Based Monitoring System Act.
“The accelerated nationwide implementation of a community-based monitoring system shall allow the government to profile and identify households vulnerable to certain risks as well as qualified beneficiaries of targeted programs,” Duterte said.
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2020/05/20/2015260/national-id-system-5-million-registrants-eyed-year
Gov't 'can't rush' National ID System due to risks: NEDA chief
The government "cannot rush" the implementation of the National ID System this year as there are "privacy, security and COVID" risks that have to be ironed out, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua said Tuesday.
The government plans to finish the procurement of equipment by August, and begin the registration of household heads by the last quarter of 2020, Chua told senators in a hybrid hearing.
"Ang National ID po kasi hindi po natin puwede i-rush, baka magkamali kasi mayroon po tayong security, privacy at COVID risk," he said.
"Kung mag-mass registration po tayo, 'yung iris scan, 'yung fingerprint, 'yung ballpen, lahat po yan, yung papel ay puwede mag spread ng virus," he said.
While the country is still under different levels of quarantine, the government is trying to develop the registration software procured from India, the NEDA chief said.
"Ang maganda po dito we are not developing from scratch... Once we have that system developed, then we would be ready to begin registration by the end of the year," he said.
The Philippine Statistics Authority expects to have 5 million household heads registered by the end of this year, and have 90 million Filipinos under the system by the end of 2022.
"Ang bata hindi pa puwede mag-ID kasi hindi pa natin maca-capture yung iris at yung fingerprint kung batang-bata pa... pero bibigyan na po sila ng ID number upon birth," Chua said.
The National ID System Act was was enacted into law in 2018, giving the PSA an annual allocation of P2 billion for the program.
Senators earlier filed a resolution seeking an investigation on why the implementation of the program has been delayed for 2 years, as the system was expected to fast-track the delivery of cash aid to those hit by the coronavirus crisis.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/19/20/govt-cant-rush-national-id-system-due-to-risks-neda-chief
The government plans to finish the procurement of equipment by August, and begin the registration of household heads by the last quarter of 2020, Chua told senators in a hybrid hearing.
"Ang National ID po kasi hindi po natin puwede i-rush, baka magkamali kasi mayroon po tayong security, privacy at COVID risk," he said.
"Kung mag-mass registration po tayo, 'yung iris scan, 'yung fingerprint, 'yung ballpen, lahat po yan, yung papel ay puwede mag spread ng virus," he said.
While the country is still under different levels of quarantine, the government is trying to develop the registration software procured from India, the NEDA chief said.
"Ang maganda po dito we are not developing from scratch... Once we have that system developed, then we would be ready to begin registration by the end of the year," he said.
The Philippine Statistics Authority expects to have 5 million household heads registered by the end of this year, and have 90 million Filipinos under the system by the end of 2022.
"Ang bata hindi pa puwede mag-ID kasi hindi pa natin maca-capture yung iris at yung fingerprint kung batang-bata pa... pero bibigyan na po sila ng ID number upon birth," Chua said.
The National ID System Act was was enacted into law in 2018, giving the PSA an annual allocation of P2 billion for the program.
Senators earlier filed a resolution seeking an investigation on why the implementation of the program has been delayed for 2 years, as the system was expected to fast-track the delivery of cash aid to those hit by the coronavirus crisis.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/19/20/govt-cant-rush-national-id-system-due-to-risks-neda-chief
Lawmakers lament abandonment of ABS-CBN provisional franchise bill
Some members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday lamented the dropping of a provisional franchise bill for ABS-CBN's broadcast operations, after the majority of the House decided instead to hear bills for a 25-year franchise.
Rep. Edcel Lagman said the abandonment of the provisional franchise bill will greatly affect the company and its employees.
"This abandonment underscores the failure of leadership in the House after no less than Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano principally authored and passionately sponsored the ill-fated interim franchise whose approval was recommended by the 'Committee of the Whole,' which is rarely constituted," he said in a statement.
"The abandonment of HB No. 6732 quashes the hope for the resumption of ABS-CBN’s operations, albeit on a provisional franchise, for the benefit of the public and the networks’ employees," Lagman said.
According to Lagman, the provisional franchise was an ideal compromise to allow the company to resume operations while deliberations on its full 25-year franchise are ongoing.
"There is no overriding reason to abandon HB No. 6732 except for a furtive and sinister outside interference in the discharge of the constitutional duty of the House," he said.
Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, for her part, urged her fellow lawmakers to act on ABS-CBN's broadcast franchise renewal as soon as possible for the benefit of the public.
"Bakit tila iniiwan natin sa ere ang libo-libong manggagawa ng ABS-CBN na apektado rin ng pandemya?" she said in her manifestation.
(Why does it seem like we just left thousands of ABS-CBN employees hanging, when they are also affected by the pandemic?)
She added the House of Representatives is doing the public a disservice if it would continue to sit on the issue of the company's franchise.
"Walang mawawala sa gobyerno at sambayanan sa ngayon kung hahayaan na makabalik sa ere ang ABS-CBN hanggang Oktubre. (The government and the public will not lose anything if we let ABS-CBN to go back on air until October.) On the contrary, the House would be doing a disservice to the Filipino people if it will continue to sit on the network’s franchise, as millions of Filipinos in far-flung areas are deprived of vital news and information amid the pandemic," Brosas said.
Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, likewise, said the House should act on the matter urgently and prove Congress' jurisdiction on the issue.
"We must act urgently on this matter, as we also similarly act with urgency on the other pressing matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the crisis it spawned, in the service of the Filipino," Zarate said in a statement.
Zarate said he, along with other Makabayan lawmakers, filed a bill for the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, yet he could have voted in favor of the provisional franchise as it would allow the company to resume operations.
"Together with the Makabayan representatives, I filed House Bill No. 6052 on January 27, 2020, which bill sought to grant Applicant another 25 years of franchise. Yet, I supported HB 6732, if only to allow ABS-CBN to immediately go back on air while the renewal bills are still being deliberated," he said.
"While I can no longer cast yes vote for House Bill 6732 granting provisional franchise to ABS CBN which would be valid only until October 2020, I now strongly urge my colleagues in Congress, particularly the Committee on Legislative Franchise, to immediately and urgently hear and resolve the renewal bills pertaining to the grant of a fresh franchise to ABS CBN Corporation," Zarate added.
In his proposal last week, Cayetano said granting ABS-CBN provisional franchise would allow Congress to focus on response to the coronavirus pandemic and time to thoroughly discuss issues against ABS-CBN.
On Monday, lawmakers raised charges ABS-CBN has already answered in a Senate hearing in February, including tax and labor issues of which government officials have themselves cleared the network.
ABS-CBN's broadcast operations were halted on May 5 on orders of the National Telecommunications Commission, which issued a cease and desist order after the network's franchise lapsed on May 4.
Bills for the renewal of ABS-CBN's broadcast license have been pending for years. Its shutdown puts at risk some 11,000 jobs, with the network's President and CEO Carlo Katigbak telling a Senate hearing earlier Tuesday that it may consider layoffs by August if it remains off the air.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/19/20/lawmakers-lament-abandonment-of-abs-cbn-provisional-franchise-bill
Rep. Edcel Lagman said the abandonment of the provisional franchise bill will greatly affect the company and its employees.
"This abandonment underscores the failure of leadership in the House after no less than Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano principally authored and passionately sponsored the ill-fated interim franchise whose approval was recommended by the 'Committee of the Whole,' which is rarely constituted," he said in a statement.
"The abandonment of HB No. 6732 quashes the hope for the resumption of ABS-CBN’s operations, albeit on a provisional franchise, for the benefit of the public and the networks’ employees," Lagman said.
According to Lagman, the provisional franchise was an ideal compromise to allow the company to resume operations while deliberations on its full 25-year franchise are ongoing.
"There is no overriding reason to abandon HB No. 6732 except for a furtive and sinister outside interference in the discharge of the constitutional duty of the House," he said.
Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, for her part, urged her fellow lawmakers to act on ABS-CBN's broadcast franchise renewal as soon as possible for the benefit of the public.
"Bakit tila iniiwan natin sa ere ang libo-libong manggagawa ng ABS-CBN na apektado rin ng pandemya?" she said in her manifestation.
(Why does it seem like we just left thousands of ABS-CBN employees hanging, when they are also affected by the pandemic?)
She added the House of Representatives is doing the public a disservice if it would continue to sit on the issue of the company's franchise.
"Walang mawawala sa gobyerno at sambayanan sa ngayon kung hahayaan na makabalik sa ere ang ABS-CBN hanggang Oktubre. (The government and the public will not lose anything if we let ABS-CBN to go back on air until October.) On the contrary, the House would be doing a disservice to the Filipino people if it will continue to sit on the network’s franchise, as millions of Filipinos in far-flung areas are deprived of vital news and information amid the pandemic," Brosas said.
Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, likewise, said the House should act on the matter urgently and prove Congress' jurisdiction on the issue.
"We must act urgently on this matter, as we also similarly act with urgency on the other pressing matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the crisis it spawned, in the service of the Filipino," Zarate said in a statement.
Zarate said he, along with other Makabayan lawmakers, filed a bill for the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN, yet he could have voted in favor of the provisional franchise as it would allow the company to resume operations.
"Together with the Makabayan representatives, I filed House Bill No. 6052 on January 27, 2020, which bill sought to grant Applicant another 25 years of franchise. Yet, I supported HB 6732, if only to allow ABS-CBN to immediately go back on air while the renewal bills are still being deliberated," he said.
"While I can no longer cast yes vote for House Bill 6732 granting provisional franchise to ABS CBN which would be valid only until October 2020, I now strongly urge my colleagues in Congress, particularly the Committee on Legislative Franchise, to immediately and urgently hear and resolve the renewal bills pertaining to the grant of a fresh franchise to ABS CBN Corporation," Zarate added.
In his proposal last week, Cayetano said granting ABS-CBN provisional franchise would allow Congress to focus on response to the coronavirus pandemic and time to thoroughly discuss issues against ABS-CBN.
On Monday, lawmakers raised charges ABS-CBN has already answered in a Senate hearing in February, including tax and labor issues of which government officials have themselves cleared the network.
ABS-CBN's broadcast operations were halted on May 5 on orders of the National Telecommunications Commission, which issued a cease and desist order after the network's franchise lapsed on May 4.
Bills for the renewal of ABS-CBN's broadcast license have been pending for years. Its shutdown puts at risk some 11,000 jobs, with the network's President and CEO Carlo Katigbak telling a Senate hearing earlier Tuesday that it may consider layoffs by August if it remains off the air.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/19/20/lawmakers-lament-abandonment-of-abs-cbn-provisional-franchise-bill
House drops ABS-CBN's provisional franchise, to tackle bills for 25-year license
(3rd UPDATE) - The House of Representatives on Tuesday decided to stop deliberations on a provisional franchise for ABS-CBN Corp, opting instead to hear bills for a 25-year franchise.
Speaking to the plenary, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said they have decided to forego the provisional franchise- a proposal he led giving ABS-CBN license until October 2020- citing the divisiveness it has brought to the chamber.
"Because of all this divisiveness and after consulting with the members of the House, the political parties, and the regional groups… I, together with the House of Representatives leadership have decided to forego with the provisional franchise, and immediately proceed with the hearings for the full 25-year renewal application of the ABS-CBN franchise," he said.
The proposed provisional franchise was passed on first and second reading on the same day last week, but the House opted to reopen the period of debates and amendments Monday to avoid possible legal questions.
Cayetano said the bills for the ABS-CBN franchise renewal will be tackled by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.
He said the panel should "immediately and continuously hold hearings until everyone is heard."
The chamber is set to go on break on June 5 and will come back when session reopens on the fourth week of July, when the President delivers his State of the Nation Address.
"And after everyone is heard, then we can decide," he said.
The Speaker later said in an interview with ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo that hearings would continue even during the session break.
"Magsisimula na po next week (ang hearings) at hindi po sila titigil hanggang tapos na. Hinihiling ko po na lahat makapagsalita, pati po 'yung maanghang ang salita, we will ask them to follow the right decorum. But we will allow them to speak," he said.
(The hearings will start next week and they won't stop until this issue is finished. I'm asking that everyone will be able to speak, even those who have harsh words, we will ask them to follow the right decorum. But we will allow them to speak.)
Cayetano said that the House hearings on ABS-CBN's franchise renewal will be similar to special sessions the chamber had conducted for the government's COVID-19 response.
"Katulad naman nung ginawa naman natin sa disease COVID-19 committee, kahit na break nung 6 weeks during ECQ (enhanced community quarantine), tuloy-tuloy ang hearing natin. So, there'll be probably be a hybrid (session), minsan kailangan 'yung resource person nandito mismo. Ba't yung ibang hearing, we can do in Zoom or teleconferencing," he said.
(What we did at the COVID-19 committee, even if we had 6 weeks of break during the ECQ, our hearings will be continuous. So, there'll probably be a hybrid session, sometimes the resource person will be on the floor himself. But other hearings, we can do in Zoom or teleconferencing.)
Cayetano said the hearings likely won't reach the end of July.
"Napakahaba na nun (That's too long)," he said, adding issues surrounding the broadcast giant's franchise renewal won't need lengthy deliberations.
Hearings on the franchise renewal bills will be held 2 to 3 times a week along with other bills, Cayetano said in another interview on ABS-CBN's TV Patrol.
The Speaker admitted the issue on ABS-CBN's franchise renewal is "emotionally heavy" for the network's workers, viewers and supporters, but he stressed that the country is still facing the threat of the fast-spreading COVID-19, forcing the chamber to allot some of their time on programs against the pandemic.
"Sana po magkaisa tayo dito. Pagdasal niyo din po kami, baka makahanap po tayo ng isang paraan na magsama-sama tayo kahit sa issue na 'to. But in the meantime po, we will have the hearings," he said.
(I hope all of us will unite on this. Please also pray for us, that we may find a solution that will unite us on this issue. But in the meantime, we will have the hearings.)
Opposition to bill abandonment
Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers lamented the dropping of the provisional franchise bill.
In a statement, Rep. Edcel Lagman said the abandonment of House Bill 6732 underscores the failure of the House leadership, considering that it was Cayetano himself who sponsored the bill.
"This abandonment underscores the failure of leadership in the House after no less than Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano principally authored and passionately sponsored the ill-fated interim franchise whose approval was recommended by the “Committee of the Whole”, which is rarely constituted," he said.
He also said that the abandonment of the provisional franchise will greatly affect the company and its employees.
"The abandonment of HB No. 6732 quashes the hope for the resumption of ABS-CBN’s operation, albeit on a provisional franchise, for the benefit of the public and the networks’ employees," Lagman said.
Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, for her part, urged her fellow lawmakers to act on the company's franchise renewal as soon as possible for the benefit of the public.
"What the House did was to suspend the hopes of the 11,000 ABS-CBN workers in mid-air while the country’s largest network will remain off-air. Ang panawagan natin sa Gabriela Women’s Party: Ibalik sa ere ang ABS-CBN. Subalit bakit tila iniiwan natin sa ere ang libo-libong manggagawa ng ABS-CBN na apektado rin ng pandemya?" she said in her manifestation.
(We in Gabriel Women's Party call for ABS-CBN to be back on air, but why does it seem like we just left thousands of ABS-CBN employees hanging, when they and their families are also affected by the pandemic?)
She added the House of Representatives is doing the public a disservice if it would continue to sit on the issue of the company's franchise.
"Walang mawawala sa gobyerno at sambayanan sa ngayon kung hahayaan na makabalik sa ere ang ABS-CBN hanggang Oktubre. (The government and the public will not lose anything if we let ABS-CBN to go back on air until October.) On the contrary, the House would be doing a disservice to the Filipino people if it will continue to sit on the network’s franchise, as millions of Filipinos in far-flung areas are deprived of vital news and information amid the pandemic," Brosas said.
Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, likewise, said the House should act on the matter urgently and prove the Congress' jurisdiction on the issue.
"Let us prove to the public and to other government agencies that Congress has indeed primary jurisdiction over franchises of this nature," he said in a statement.
"We must act urgently on this matter, as we also similarly act with urgency on the other pressing matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the crisis it spawned, in the service of the Filipino," Zarate added.
In his proposal last week, Cayetano said granting ABS-CBN provisional franchise would allow Congress to focus on response to the coronavirus pandemic and time to thoroughly discuss issues against ABS-CBN.
On Monday, lawmakers raised charges ABS-CBN has already answered in a Senate hearing in February, including tax and labor issues of which government officials have themselves cleared the network.
ABS-CBN's broadcast operations were halted on May 5 on orders of the National Telecommunications Commission, which issued a cease and desist order after the network's franchise lapsed on May 4.
Bills for the renewal of ABS-CBN's broadcast license have been pending for years. Its shutdown puts at risk some 11,000 jobs, with the network's President and CEO Carlo Katigbak telling a Senate hearing earlier Tuesday that it may consider layoffs by August if it remains off the air.
- reports from Rose Carmelle Lacuata and Gabriel Agcaoili, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/19/20/house-drops-abs-cbns-provisional-franchise-to-tackle-bills-for-25-year-license
Speaking to the plenary, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said they have decided to forego the provisional franchise- a proposal he led giving ABS-CBN license until October 2020- citing the divisiveness it has brought to the chamber.
"Because of all this divisiveness and after consulting with the members of the House, the political parties, and the regional groups… I, together with the House of Representatives leadership have decided to forego with the provisional franchise, and immediately proceed with the hearings for the full 25-year renewal application of the ABS-CBN franchise," he said.
The proposed provisional franchise was passed on first and second reading on the same day last week, but the House opted to reopen the period of debates and amendments Monday to avoid possible legal questions.
Cayetano said the bills for the ABS-CBN franchise renewal will be tackled by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.
He said the panel should "immediately and continuously hold hearings until everyone is heard."
The chamber is set to go on break on June 5 and will come back when session reopens on the fourth week of July, when the President delivers his State of the Nation Address.
"And after everyone is heard, then we can decide," he said.
The Speaker later said in an interview with ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo that hearings would continue even during the session break.
"Magsisimula na po next week (ang hearings) at hindi po sila titigil hanggang tapos na. Hinihiling ko po na lahat makapagsalita, pati po 'yung maanghang ang salita, we will ask them to follow the right decorum. But we will allow them to speak," he said.
(The hearings will start next week and they won't stop until this issue is finished. I'm asking that everyone will be able to speak, even those who have harsh words, we will ask them to follow the right decorum. But we will allow them to speak.)
Cayetano said that the House hearings on ABS-CBN's franchise renewal will be similar to special sessions the chamber had conducted for the government's COVID-19 response.
"Katulad naman nung ginawa naman natin sa disease COVID-19 committee, kahit na break nung 6 weeks during ECQ (enhanced community quarantine), tuloy-tuloy ang hearing natin. So, there'll be probably be a hybrid (session), minsan kailangan 'yung resource person nandito mismo. Ba't yung ibang hearing, we can do in Zoom or teleconferencing," he said.
(What we did at the COVID-19 committee, even if we had 6 weeks of break during the ECQ, our hearings will be continuous. So, there'll probably be a hybrid session, sometimes the resource person will be on the floor himself. But other hearings, we can do in Zoom or teleconferencing.)
Cayetano said the hearings likely won't reach the end of July.
"Napakahaba na nun (That's too long)," he said, adding issues surrounding the broadcast giant's franchise renewal won't need lengthy deliberations.
Hearings on the franchise renewal bills will be held 2 to 3 times a week along with other bills, Cayetano said in another interview on ABS-CBN's TV Patrol.
The Speaker admitted the issue on ABS-CBN's franchise renewal is "emotionally heavy" for the network's workers, viewers and supporters, but he stressed that the country is still facing the threat of the fast-spreading COVID-19, forcing the chamber to allot some of their time on programs against the pandemic.
"Sana po magkaisa tayo dito. Pagdasal niyo din po kami, baka makahanap po tayo ng isang paraan na magsama-sama tayo kahit sa issue na 'to. But in the meantime po, we will have the hearings," he said.
(I hope all of us will unite on this. Please also pray for us, that we may find a solution that will unite us on this issue. But in the meantime, we will have the hearings.)
Opposition to bill abandonment
Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers lamented the dropping of the provisional franchise bill.
In a statement, Rep. Edcel Lagman said the abandonment of House Bill 6732 underscores the failure of the House leadership, considering that it was Cayetano himself who sponsored the bill.
"This abandonment underscores the failure of leadership in the House after no less than Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano principally authored and passionately sponsored the ill-fated interim franchise whose approval was recommended by the “Committee of the Whole”, which is rarely constituted," he said.
He also said that the abandonment of the provisional franchise will greatly affect the company and its employees.
"The abandonment of HB No. 6732 quashes the hope for the resumption of ABS-CBN’s operation, albeit on a provisional franchise, for the benefit of the public and the networks’ employees," Lagman said.
Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, for her part, urged her fellow lawmakers to act on the company's franchise renewal as soon as possible for the benefit of the public.
"What the House did was to suspend the hopes of the 11,000 ABS-CBN workers in mid-air while the country’s largest network will remain off-air. Ang panawagan natin sa Gabriela Women’s Party: Ibalik sa ere ang ABS-CBN. Subalit bakit tila iniiwan natin sa ere ang libo-libong manggagawa ng ABS-CBN na apektado rin ng pandemya?" she said in her manifestation.
(We in Gabriel Women's Party call for ABS-CBN to be back on air, but why does it seem like we just left thousands of ABS-CBN employees hanging, when they and their families are also affected by the pandemic?)
She added the House of Representatives is doing the public a disservice if it would continue to sit on the issue of the company's franchise.
"Walang mawawala sa gobyerno at sambayanan sa ngayon kung hahayaan na makabalik sa ere ang ABS-CBN hanggang Oktubre. (The government and the public will not lose anything if we let ABS-CBN to go back on air until October.) On the contrary, the House would be doing a disservice to the Filipino people if it will continue to sit on the network’s franchise, as millions of Filipinos in far-flung areas are deprived of vital news and information amid the pandemic," Brosas said.
Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, likewise, said the House should act on the matter urgently and prove the Congress' jurisdiction on the issue.
"Let us prove to the public and to other government agencies that Congress has indeed primary jurisdiction over franchises of this nature," he said in a statement.
"We must act urgently on this matter, as we also similarly act with urgency on the other pressing matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the crisis it spawned, in the service of the Filipino," Zarate added.
In his proposal last week, Cayetano said granting ABS-CBN provisional franchise would allow Congress to focus on response to the coronavirus pandemic and time to thoroughly discuss issues against ABS-CBN.
On Monday, lawmakers raised charges ABS-CBN has already answered in a Senate hearing in February, including tax and labor issues of which government officials have themselves cleared the network.
ABS-CBN's broadcast operations were halted on May 5 on orders of the National Telecommunications Commission, which issued a cease and desist order after the network's franchise lapsed on May 4.
Bills for the renewal of ABS-CBN's broadcast license have been pending for years. Its shutdown puts at risk some 11,000 jobs, with the network's President and CEO Carlo Katigbak telling a Senate hearing earlier Tuesday that it may consider layoffs by August if it remains off the air.
- reports from Rose Carmelle Lacuata and Gabriel Agcaoili, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/19/20/house-drops-abs-cbns-provisional-franchise-to-tackle-bills-for-25-year-license
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
ABS-CBN reopening delay seen with new House tack
The House of Representatives on Tuesday abandoned a bill that would have reopened ABS-CBN sooner rather than later, opting instead to take the longer route of committee deliberations, which could keep the broadcast network off the air much longer.
The decision, hammered out during an afternoon majority caucus, was a complete departure from Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano’s proposed provisional franchise, which was already passed on second reading last week.
Instead of tackling a temporary franchise bill until October this year, congressmen decided to take up the network’s long-pending application of a new 25-year operating franchise.
“I, together with the House of Representatives’ leadership, have decided to forego with the provisional franchise and immediately proceed with the hearings on the full 25-year renewal application of the ABS-CBN franchise,” Cayetano said during the plenary session.
Cayetano promised to “immediately proceed” with hearings by the Committee on Legislative Franchises, which did not prioritize the ABS-CBN franchise renewal bills until it expired last May 4.
Cagayan De Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, who backed the interim franchise bill, said both chambers of Congress were not likely to finish the approval process for a regular franchise, given only 8 session days before they go on sine die break on June 6.
“I’m afraid of the lack of material time,” he told ABS-CBN News. “Kung di matapos by June 3, mahihirapan talaga. Mas matagal nakasara.”
Congress will resume session on July 27 for President Duterte's 5th State of the Nation Address.
INORDINATE DELAY
Prior to the majority caucus, minority Rep. Edcel Lagman warned Cayetano that abandoning the provisional franchise “would gravely compound the inordinate delay in the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.”
The House dropped the temporary franchise bill following heated debates on Monday when several congressmen cited complaints over ABS-CBN’s alleged violations of its old franchises.
Some congressmen complained about the swift pace with which the House was pushing the approval of ABS-CBN’s temporary franchise.
Others sought deliberations on a regular 25-year franchise, instead of a provisional one, which was tackled by the House constituted as a Committee of the Whole.
Following Tuesday’s caucus, the majority agreed that issues raised against the network were “quite credible and quite important” and should be “best ventilated and threshed out” before the legislative franchises committee, said Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
Cayetano laid down “non-negotiable ground rules” before the committee would tackle ABS-CBN’s franchise, citing the need to focus on defeating the coronavirus pandemic.
Congressmen, he said, would “multi-task” and should vote on the franchise bill in accordance with their conscience and not their politics.”
Cayetano also insisted that committee hearings would be “fair, impartial, comprehensive, and thorough."
SHORT-LIVED
The short-lived provisional franchise proposal was recalled on Monday following concerns that its one-day approval on first and second reading last week violated the constitution, which requires separate days.
But instead of going through the formalities of another second reading, going through a period of debates and individual amendments, the chamber suspended deliberations in the evening.
At a Senate hearing the following day, ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak said the network’s objective was “hopefully to secure a 25-year franchise.”
“But if securing a short-term franchise is the fastest way to go back on air, then we have no objection to that,” he said.
Katigbak also warned that the company might consider laying off employees by August if it failed to resume its free TV and radio broadcast. At risk are over 11,000 jobs.
"We continue to lose a substantial amount of money every month and I'm afraid that if we cannot get back on air soon, by August we may already have to consider beginning a retrenchment process," he said.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/19/20/abs-cbn-reopening-delay-seen-with-new-house-tack
The decision, hammered out during an afternoon majority caucus, was a complete departure from Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano’s proposed provisional franchise, which was already passed on second reading last week.
Instead of tackling a temporary franchise bill until October this year, congressmen decided to take up the network’s long-pending application of a new 25-year operating franchise.
“I, together with the House of Representatives’ leadership, have decided to forego with the provisional franchise and immediately proceed with the hearings on the full 25-year renewal application of the ABS-CBN franchise,” Cayetano said during the plenary session.
Cayetano promised to “immediately proceed” with hearings by the Committee on Legislative Franchises, which did not prioritize the ABS-CBN franchise renewal bills until it expired last May 4.
Cagayan De Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, who backed the interim franchise bill, said both chambers of Congress were not likely to finish the approval process for a regular franchise, given only 8 session days before they go on sine die break on June 6.
“I’m afraid of the lack of material time,” he told ABS-CBN News. “Kung di matapos by June 3, mahihirapan talaga. Mas matagal nakasara.”
Congress will resume session on July 27 for President Duterte's 5th State of the Nation Address.
INORDINATE DELAY
Prior to the majority caucus, minority Rep. Edcel Lagman warned Cayetano that abandoning the provisional franchise “would gravely compound the inordinate delay in the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.”
The House dropped the temporary franchise bill following heated debates on Monday when several congressmen cited complaints over ABS-CBN’s alleged violations of its old franchises.
Some congressmen complained about the swift pace with which the House was pushing the approval of ABS-CBN’s temporary franchise.
Others sought deliberations on a regular 25-year franchise, instead of a provisional one, which was tackled by the House constituted as a Committee of the Whole.
Following Tuesday’s caucus, the majority agreed that issues raised against the network were “quite credible and quite important” and should be “best ventilated and threshed out” before the legislative franchises committee, said Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
Cayetano laid down “non-negotiable ground rules” before the committee would tackle ABS-CBN’s franchise, citing the need to focus on defeating the coronavirus pandemic.
Congressmen, he said, would “multi-task” and should vote on the franchise bill in accordance with their conscience and not their politics.”
Cayetano also insisted that committee hearings would be “fair, impartial, comprehensive, and thorough."
SHORT-LIVED
The short-lived provisional franchise proposal was recalled on Monday following concerns that its one-day approval on first and second reading last week violated the constitution, which requires separate days.
But instead of going through the formalities of another second reading, going through a period of debates and individual amendments, the chamber suspended deliberations in the evening.
At a Senate hearing the following day, ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak said the network’s objective was “hopefully to secure a 25-year franchise.”
“But if securing a short-term franchise is the fastest way to go back on air, then we have no objection to that,” he said.
Katigbak also warned that the company might consider laying off employees by August if it failed to resume its free TV and radio broadcast. At risk are over 11,000 jobs.
"We continue to lose a substantial amount of money every month and I'm afraid that if we cannot get back on air soon, by August we may already have to consider beginning a retrenchment process," he said.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/19/20/abs-cbn-reopening-delay-seen-with-new-house-tack
House drops ABS-CBN's provisional franchise, to tackle bills for 25-year license
The House of Representatives on Tuesday decided to stop deliberations on a provisional franchise for ABS-CBN Corp, opting instead to hear bills for a 25-year franchise.
Speaking to the plenary, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said they have decided to forego the provisional franchise- a proposal he led giving ABS-CBN license until October 2020- citing the divisiveness it has brought to the chamber.
"Because of all this divisiveness and after consulting with the members of the House, the political parties, and the regional groups… I, together with the House of Representatives leadership have decided to forego with the provisional franchise, and immediately proceed with the hearings for the full 25-year renewal application of the ABS-CBN franchise," he said.
The proposed provisional franchise was passed on first and second reading on the same day last week, but the House opted to reopen the period of debates and amendments Monday to avoid possible legal questions.
Cayetano said the bills for the ABS-CBN franchise renewal will be tackled by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.
He said the panel should "immediately and continuously hold hearings until everyone is heard." The chamber is set to go on break on June 5 and will come back when session reopens in the fourth week of July, when the President delivers his State of the Nation Address.
"And after everyone is heard, then we can decide," he said.
In his proposal last week, Cayetano said granting ABS-CBN provisional franchise would allow Congress to focus on response to the coronavirus pandemic and time to thoroughly discuss issues against ABS-CBN.
On Monday, lawmakers raised charges ABS-CBN has already answered in a Senate hearing in February, including tax and labor issues of which government officials have themselves cleared the network.
ABS-CBN's broadcast operations were halted on May 5 on orders of the National Telecommunications Commission, which issued a cease and desist order after the network's franchise lapsed on May 4.
Bills for the renewal of ABS-CBN's broadcast license have been pending for years. Its shutdown puts at risk some 11,000 jobs, with the network's President and CEO Carlo Katigbak telling a Senate hearing earlier Tuesday that it may consider layoffs by August if it remains off the air.
More details to follow.
- report from Rose Carmelle Lacuata, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/19/20/house-drops-abs-cbns-provisional-franchise-to-tackle-bills-for-25-year-license
Speaking to the plenary, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said they have decided to forego the provisional franchise- a proposal he led giving ABS-CBN license until October 2020- citing the divisiveness it has brought to the chamber.
"Because of all this divisiveness and after consulting with the members of the House, the political parties, and the regional groups… I, together with the House of Representatives leadership have decided to forego with the provisional franchise, and immediately proceed with the hearings for the full 25-year renewal application of the ABS-CBN franchise," he said.
The proposed provisional franchise was passed on first and second reading on the same day last week, but the House opted to reopen the period of debates and amendments Monday to avoid possible legal questions.
Cayetano said the bills for the ABS-CBN franchise renewal will be tackled by the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.
He said the panel should "immediately and continuously hold hearings until everyone is heard." The chamber is set to go on break on June 5 and will come back when session reopens in the fourth week of July, when the President delivers his State of the Nation Address.
"And after everyone is heard, then we can decide," he said.
In his proposal last week, Cayetano said granting ABS-CBN provisional franchise would allow Congress to focus on response to the coronavirus pandemic and time to thoroughly discuss issues against ABS-CBN.
On Monday, lawmakers raised charges ABS-CBN has already answered in a Senate hearing in February, including tax and labor issues of which government officials have themselves cleared the network.
ABS-CBN's broadcast operations were halted on May 5 on orders of the National Telecommunications Commission, which issued a cease and desist order after the network's franchise lapsed on May 4.
Bills for the renewal of ABS-CBN's broadcast license have been pending for years. Its shutdown puts at risk some 11,000 jobs, with the network's President and CEO Carlo Katigbak telling a Senate hearing earlier Tuesday that it may consider layoffs by August if it remains off the air.
More details to follow.
- report from Rose Carmelle Lacuata, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/19/20/house-drops-abs-cbns-provisional-franchise-to-tackle-bills-for-25-year-license
Enrile: Why can’t Congress grant 25-year franchise to ABS-CBN?
Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile warned Tuesday that Congress would risk “emasculating” the constitution should it go for a temporary franchise allowing broadcast network ABS-CBN to resume its free TV and radio operations.
Enrile said the legislature should instead tackle a 25-year franchise for the shuttered network, saying there should be “permanence” in the legislative grant.
“Why can you not give a permanent franchise to ABS-CBN right away, conduct a day-and-night hearing… instead of playing with the constitution by granting a temporary franchise? he told a Senate inquiry.
“If Congress can grant a temporary franchise, what is the compelling reason for Congress not to grant a permanent franchise with a reasonable period of 25 years?”
Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Congress could decide on the length of the franchise using its “plenary powers” so long the period would not exceed the 50-year limit in the constitution.
A number of senators expressed reservations on the Senate hearing on ABS-CBN’s franchise since the House of Representatives has yet to approve its version. Under the Constitution, private bills such as the network’s franchise application must emanate from the House.
“This hearing might be premature,” said Sen. Francis Tolentino.
But Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who presided over the inquiry as the committee’s vice chairman, said the hearing was “anticipatory.”
Enrile acknowledged Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s concern that senators might face a “constitutional challenge” in case they agreed to the House proposal of a provisional franchise for ABS-CBN.
But amending the period to cover a full 25-year franchise will be “perfectly okay,” Enrile said.
Enrile said Congress should also consider the pending case against ABS-CBN before the Supreme Court, warning it “complicates” its deliberations on franchise renewal bills.
“If the Supreme Court will decide adversely against ABS-CBN, what will happen to the legislative action of Congress granting a new franchise to ABS-CBN?” he said.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/19/20/enrile-why-cant-congress-grant-25-year-franchise-to-abs-cbn
Enrile said the legislature should instead tackle a 25-year franchise for the shuttered network, saying there should be “permanence” in the legislative grant.
“Why can you not give a permanent franchise to ABS-CBN right away, conduct a day-and-night hearing… instead of playing with the constitution by granting a temporary franchise? he told a Senate inquiry.
“If Congress can grant a temporary franchise, what is the compelling reason for Congress not to grant a permanent franchise with a reasonable period of 25 years?”
Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Congress could decide on the length of the franchise using its “plenary powers” so long the period would not exceed the 50-year limit in the constitution.
A number of senators expressed reservations on the Senate hearing on ABS-CBN’s franchise since the House of Representatives has yet to approve its version. Under the Constitution, private bills such as the network’s franchise application must emanate from the House.
“This hearing might be premature,” said Sen. Francis Tolentino.
But Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who presided over the inquiry as the committee’s vice chairman, said the hearing was “anticipatory.”
Enrile acknowledged Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s concern that senators might face a “constitutional challenge” in case they agreed to the House proposal of a provisional franchise for ABS-CBN.
But amending the period to cover a full 25-year franchise will be “perfectly okay,” Enrile said.
Enrile said Congress should also consider the pending case against ABS-CBN before the Supreme Court, warning it “complicates” its deliberations on franchise renewal bills.
“If the Supreme Court will decide adversely against ABS-CBN, what will happen to the legislative action of Congress granting a new franchise to ABS-CBN?” he said.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/19/20/enrile-why-cant-congress-grant-25-year-franchise-to-abs-cbn
ABS-CBN may 'consider' retrenchment by August if it fails to resume airing: CEO
(2nd UPDATE) - ABS-CBN Corp may "consider" retrenching workers by August if it fails to resume broadcast soon, President and CEO Carlo Katigbak told a franchise hearing at the Senate Tuesday.
"We continue to lose a substantial amount of money every month and I'm afraid that if we cannot get back on air soon, by August, we may already have to consider beginning a retrenchment process," ABS-CBN CEO and President Carlo Katigbak told senators.
The broadcaster earlier told employees that it "would not take away any jobs for 3 months" following its May 5 shutdown, given "the difficult economic situation" that the coronavirus pandemic spawned, he said.
"We felt it would be very, very painful to put our employees out on the street without them having an idea as to how they can continue earning a living and continue to feed their families," Katigbak said.
"But unfortunately, we cannot make that commitment open-ended because we are also limited by financial constraints," he added.
ABS-CBN has been losing P30-35 million in advertising revenues daily since regulators forced it off air.
If this "severe financial hemorrhage" continues, ABS-CBN told the Supreme Court in an urgent motion Monday that it "may be constrained to eventually let go of workers, reduce salaries and benefits, and substantially cut down on costs and expenses."
QUICKEST WAY BACK ON AIR
The National Telecommunications Commission, under oath, told lawmakers in March that it would let the country's top broadcaster operate provisionally beyond the May 4 expiration of its license, while bills for its franchise renewal stalled in Congress.
But days after Solicitor General Jose Calida warned NTC officials that they could face graft charges if they gave ABS-CBN a provisional permit, the regulator ordered the 65-year-old media outfit to stop its broadcast operations due to its expired license.
A bill giving ABS-CBN a provisional franchise until Oct. 31 is scheduled for second reading at the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Senators said they would pass the bill before Congress goes on break in June, after which it would go to the Office of the President for signing.
"It is critical from a financial standpoint and from an employee welfare standpoint that we go back on air as quickly as possible," said ABS-CBN's Katigbak.
"If a provisional franchise until October is the quickest way to get us back on air, then we accept, with the hopes of course that we continue hearings to grant us the 25-year franchise," he said.
EMPLOYEE WELFARE
ABS-CBN gives its workers "pay and benefits that are above what the government has mandated and above what the industry is paying," Katigbak said.
"We commit that we will continue doing whatever we can to take care of employees to continuously better their compensation as the business improves," he said.
"It’s just that very difficult for us to have that discussion today…given the fact that we’re facing 2 very significant business challenges. As soon as we get back on air and as soon as business normalizes it would be easier for us to have those discussions at that point in time," he added.
The outfit's broadcast halt this month was the first since it was forced to sign off when martial law was declared in 1972.
The network has since asked the Supreme Court to block the NTC's cease-and-desist order.
news.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/19/20/abs-cbn-may-consider-retrenchment-by-august-if-it-fails-to-resume-airing-ceo
"We continue to lose a substantial amount of money every month and I'm afraid that if we cannot get back on air soon, by August, we may already have to consider beginning a retrenchment process," ABS-CBN CEO and President Carlo Katigbak told senators.
The broadcaster earlier told employees that it "would not take away any jobs for 3 months" following its May 5 shutdown, given "the difficult economic situation" that the coronavirus pandemic spawned, he said.
"We felt it would be very, very painful to put our employees out on the street without them having an idea as to how they can continue earning a living and continue to feed their families," Katigbak said.
"But unfortunately, we cannot make that commitment open-ended because we are also limited by financial constraints," he added.
ABS-CBN has been losing P30-35 million in advertising revenues daily since regulators forced it off air.
If this "severe financial hemorrhage" continues, ABS-CBN told the Supreme Court in an urgent motion Monday that it "may be constrained to eventually let go of workers, reduce salaries and benefits, and substantially cut down on costs and expenses."
QUICKEST WAY BACK ON AIR
The National Telecommunications Commission, under oath, told lawmakers in March that it would let the country's top broadcaster operate provisionally beyond the May 4 expiration of its license, while bills for its franchise renewal stalled in Congress.
But days after Solicitor General Jose Calida warned NTC officials that they could face graft charges if they gave ABS-CBN a provisional permit, the regulator ordered the 65-year-old media outfit to stop its broadcast operations due to its expired license.
A bill giving ABS-CBN a provisional franchise until Oct. 31 is scheduled for second reading at the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Senators said they would pass the bill before Congress goes on break in June, after which it would go to the Office of the President for signing.
"It is critical from a financial standpoint and from an employee welfare standpoint that we go back on air as quickly as possible," said ABS-CBN's Katigbak.
"If a provisional franchise until October is the quickest way to get us back on air, then we accept, with the hopes of course that we continue hearings to grant us the 25-year franchise," he said.
EMPLOYEE WELFARE
ABS-CBN gives its workers "pay and benefits that are above what the government has mandated and above what the industry is paying," Katigbak said.
"We commit that we will continue doing whatever we can to take care of employees to continuously better their compensation as the business improves," he said.
"It’s just that very difficult for us to have that discussion today…given the fact that we’re facing 2 very significant business challenges. As soon as we get back on air and as soon as business normalizes it would be easier for us to have those discussions at that point in time," he added.
The outfit's broadcast halt this month was the first since it was forced to sign off when martial law was declared in 1972.
The network has since asked the Supreme Court to block the NTC's cease-and-desist order.
news.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/19/20/abs-cbn-may-consider-retrenchment-by-august-if-it-fails-to-resume-airing-ceo
Monday, May 18, 2020
ABS-CBN asks NTC to suspend proceedings seeking to recall its frequencies
ABS-CBN to NTC: No reason to hastily recall frequencies as Congress hinted grant of franchise
MANILA -- There is no basis for the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to hastily recall the frequencies assigned to ABS-CBN Corp. as it would turn out to be useless and costly, the media giant told the regulatory body last Friday.
"Recent developments in Congress...strongly indicate that ABS-CBN will soon be granted a new legislative franchise and will be able to resume operations," ABS-CBN said in its Verified Answer and Compliance.
Instead, ABS-CBN asked the NTC to suspend its proceedings pending the resolution of the network's petition before the Supreme Court.
The NTC, on May 5, gave the network 10 days to explain why the frequencies assigned to it should not be recalled as it ordered the ABS-CBN, DZMM and all its stations nationwide to immediately cease its broadcasts. The network complied with the cease and desist order.
The order covered 23 AM and FM radio stations, 42 analog TV stations and 10 DTV stations across the country.
On May 13, the House of Representatives passed on second reading House Bill No. 6732 which seeks to grant ABS-CBN a provisional franchise to operate until October 31 this year.
According to the network, the Senate, which is expected to also pass the bill, and the President, who will sign it, have indicated the grant of a franchise to ABS-CBN.
"An order to recall ABS-CBN's existing frequencies at this time will not only be useless but will even be wasteful," it argued, explaining that recalling ABS-CBN's frequencies would mean that the network would not be able to resume its broadcasts immediately.
"Worse, if the frequencies were to be reassigned to a third party, ABS-CBN would have to comply with all the regulatory processes for transferring to a new set of frequencies, even assuming that there would be available frequencies. ABS-CBN would also have to incur significant capital expenditures for re-tuning its equipment or replacing its broadcast system," it explained.
The network also said allowing ABS-CBN to continue operating is consistent with legislative intent, Congress having the sole power to grant and renew legislative franchises.
SUSPEND PROCEEDINGS
Rather than continue with the recall proceedings, ABS-CBN said the NTC should halt its proceedings as a matter of judicial courtesy, invoking the same reason NTC said in its response to the House of Representatives' show cause order.
The House had asked the NTC to explain why it should not be cited for disobeying its order to issue a provisional authority to ABS-CBN and instead issued a CDO.
The network cited its pending petition before the Supreme Court.
"While the relief sought before the Supreme Court is distinct, some arguments on the invalidity of the CDO are inextricably intertwined with the issue of whether this Honorable Commission should recall ABS-CBN's existing frequencies, in particular: (a) that due deference should have been accorded by this Honorable Commission to the legislature's exercise of its plenary power, and (b) that the Honorable Commission deviated from past practice and violated ABS-CBN's right to equal protection of the laws," it said.
"Due respect for the Supreme Court and practical and ethical considerations, therefore, dictate that that this Honorable Commission await the final determination of ABS-CBN's Petition in G.R. No. 252119 before proceeding with the instant case."
On Monday, ABS-CBN urged the Supreme Court to act on its plea for a temporary restraining order to halt the implementation of the NTC's cease and desist order and bring it back to air in a bid to stem P30-35 million pesos in revenue losses every day and save the jobs of its 11,000 workers.
ABS-CBN also reminded the NTC to comply with the requirements of procedural due process such as the right to a hearing before its frequencies can be recalled.
In its Supreme Court petition, it said its right to due process was violated when it was not notified nor heard prior to the issuance of the closure order.
"[T]he recall of ABS-CBN's frequencies at this time would serve no useful purpose, in light of the forthcoming grant of a franchise and the pendency of a case with similar issues before the Supreme Court," the network stressed.
"In fact, the recall could only be detrimental to the public interest, as it would hamper the ability of ABS-CBN to immediately resume serving the public through its broadcasts, once the franchise is granted."
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/18/20/abs-cbn-asks-ntc-to-suspend-proceedings-seeking-to-recall-its-frequencies
MANILA -- There is no basis for the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to hastily recall the frequencies assigned to ABS-CBN Corp. as it would turn out to be useless and costly, the media giant told the regulatory body last Friday.
"Recent developments in Congress...strongly indicate that ABS-CBN will soon be granted a new legislative franchise and will be able to resume operations," ABS-CBN said in its Verified Answer and Compliance.
Instead, ABS-CBN asked the NTC to suspend its proceedings pending the resolution of the network's petition before the Supreme Court.
The NTC, on May 5, gave the network 10 days to explain why the frequencies assigned to it should not be recalled as it ordered the ABS-CBN, DZMM and all its stations nationwide to immediately cease its broadcasts. The network complied with the cease and desist order.
The order covered 23 AM and FM radio stations, 42 analog TV stations and 10 DTV stations across the country.
On May 13, the House of Representatives passed on second reading House Bill No. 6732 which seeks to grant ABS-CBN a provisional franchise to operate until October 31 this year.
According to the network, the Senate, which is expected to also pass the bill, and the President, who will sign it, have indicated the grant of a franchise to ABS-CBN.
"An order to recall ABS-CBN's existing frequencies at this time will not only be useless but will even be wasteful," it argued, explaining that recalling ABS-CBN's frequencies would mean that the network would not be able to resume its broadcasts immediately.
"Worse, if the frequencies were to be reassigned to a third party, ABS-CBN would have to comply with all the regulatory processes for transferring to a new set of frequencies, even assuming that there would be available frequencies. ABS-CBN would also have to incur significant capital expenditures for re-tuning its equipment or replacing its broadcast system," it explained.
The network also said allowing ABS-CBN to continue operating is consistent with legislative intent, Congress having the sole power to grant and renew legislative franchises.
SUSPEND PROCEEDINGS
Rather than continue with the recall proceedings, ABS-CBN said the NTC should halt its proceedings as a matter of judicial courtesy, invoking the same reason NTC said in its response to the House of Representatives' show cause order.
The House had asked the NTC to explain why it should not be cited for disobeying its order to issue a provisional authority to ABS-CBN and instead issued a CDO.
The network cited its pending petition before the Supreme Court.
"While the relief sought before the Supreme Court is distinct, some arguments on the invalidity of the CDO are inextricably intertwined with the issue of whether this Honorable Commission should recall ABS-CBN's existing frequencies, in particular: (a) that due deference should have been accorded by this Honorable Commission to the legislature's exercise of its plenary power, and (b) that the Honorable Commission deviated from past practice and violated ABS-CBN's right to equal protection of the laws," it said.
"Due respect for the Supreme Court and practical and ethical considerations, therefore, dictate that that this Honorable Commission await the final determination of ABS-CBN's Petition in G.R. No. 252119 before proceeding with the instant case."
On Monday, ABS-CBN urged the Supreme Court to act on its plea for a temporary restraining order to halt the implementation of the NTC's cease and desist order and bring it back to air in a bid to stem P30-35 million pesos in revenue losses every day and save the jobs of its 11,000 workers.
ABS-CBN also reminded the NTC to comply with the requirements of procedural due process such as the right to a hearing before its frequencies can be recalled.
In its Supreme Court petition, it said its right to due process was violated when it was not notified nor heard prior to the issuance of the closure order.
"[T]he recall of ABS-CBN's frequencies at this time would serve no useful purpose, in light of the forthcoming grant of a franchise and the pendency of a case with similar issues before the Supreme Court," the network stressed.
"In fact, the recall could only be detrimental to the public interest, as it would hamper the ability of ABS-CBN to immediately resume serving the public through its broadcasts, once the franchise is granted."
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/18/20/abs-cbn-asks-ntc-to-suspend-proceedings-seeking-to-recall-its-frequencies
ABS-CBN urges Supreme Court to stop shutdown immediately, protect 11,000 workers
ABS-CBN Corp on Monday urged the Supreme Court to immediately act on its plea to resume its broadcast operation in a bid to stop millions of pesos in revenue loss and protect the jobs of 11,000 workers.
The country's top broadcaster said it had lost P30 to P35 million in advertising revenues daily since the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) forced it off air last May 5 over its stalled franchise renewal in Congress.
"If this severe financial hemorrhage is not stopped, ABS-CBN may be constrained to eventually let go of workers, reduce salaries and benefits, and substantially cut down on costs and expenses," the network said in a motion filed before the Supreme Court.
ABS-CBN on May 7 filed petition for the high court to stop the NTC's cease and desist order. The Supreme Court will tackle the petition on Tuesday, May 19.
In its motion, the media giant said the Court had granted temporary restraining orders (TRO) in the past where it found irreparable damage which could lead to tremendous loss or even closure of a business and where there is no assurance that a company can recover from the losses.
It also cited public interest as a ground for the issuance of the TRO or a writ of preliminary injunction, noting that ABS-CBN employed 11,000 workers throughout its various subsidiaries and affiliates.
Its shutdown, its lawyers argued, also affects third parties like talents, content creators, security guards, canteen helpers, drivers, utility personnel, even the multibillion-peso advertising industry which spends 75 percent of its P151-billion business into television.
ABS-CBN also invoked its contributions to Philippine society: P70.5 billion in taxes paid from 2003 to 2020; providing needed information to 99 percent of households in the Philippine, 70% of whom tuned in to ABS-CBN in 2019.
"With ABS-CBN's unparalleled reach, it is imperative that ABS-CBN be on air to give timely and reliable information to the public, especially in light of the current public health emergency and the natural calamities that regularly threaten the country, such as typhoons, earthquakes and floods," it said.
The network also noted that is has raised P237 million to fund response to the coronavirus pandemic but fund raising efforts have been curtailed by the CDO.
ABS-CBN shares fell by 9.6 percent as it resumed trading on Monday, down to P15.82 per share from P17.50 on May 5 when the CDO was served. Analysts predict it could go as low as P12.25 per share.
PROVISIONAL FRANCHISE BILL
While the network acknowledged efforts in Congress to pass a provisional franchise to allow it to operate until October 31 this year, it said it would still take time before House Bill No. 6732 is passed into law and it will still go through approval in the Senate and by the President as well as publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
"Moreover, ABS-CBN will, thereafter, have to seek and obtain from the NTC the necessary permits to operate. This may take some week, if not months," it said.
"In the meantime, ABS-CBN, its employees, various stakeholders, and the general public will continue to suffer grave and irreparable injury as a result of the Cease and Desist Order issued by the NTC."
Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez earlier said he would ask House leaders on Monday to recall the approval of the bill on second reading to prevent questions on its constitutionality.
Rodriguez also said he wanted to amend a provision that required ABS-CBN to allot 10 percent of its advertisement airtime to "public service time for the judiciary, for the executive, for the legislature, for the constitutional commission."
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/18/20/abs-cbn-urges-supreme-court-to-stop-shutdown-immediately-protect-11000-workers
The country's top broadcaster said it had lost P30 to P35 million in advertising revenues daily since the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) forced it off air last May 5 over its stalled franchise renewal in Congress.
"If this severe financial hemorrhage is not stopped, ABS-CBN may be constrained to eventually let go of workers, reduce salaries and benefits, and substantially cut down on costs and expenses," the network said in a motion filed before the Supreme Court.
ABS-CBN on May 7 filed petition for the high court to stop the NTC's cease and desist order. The Supreme Court will tackle the petition on Tuesday, May 19.
In its motion, the media giant said the Court had granted temporary restraining orders (TRO) in the past where it found irreparable damage which could lead to tremendous loss or even closure of a business and where there is no assurance that a company can recover from the losses.
It also cited public interest as a ground for the issuance of the TRO or a writ of preliminary injunction, noting that ABS-CBN employed 11,000 workers throughout its various subsidiaries and affiliates.
Its shutdown, its lawyers argued, also affects third parties like talents, content creators, security guards, canteen helpers, drivers, utility personnel, even the multibillion-peso advertising industry which spends 75 percent of its P151-billion business into television.
ABS-CBN also invoked its contributions to Philippine society: P70.5 billion in taxes paid from 2003 to 2020; providing needed information to 99 percent of households in the Philippine, 70% of whom tuned in to ABS-CBN in 2019.
"With ABS-CBN's unparalleled reach, it is imperative that ABS-CBN be on air to give timely and reliable information to the public, especially in light of the current public health emergency and the natural calamities that regularly threaten the country, such as typhoons, earthquakes and floods," it said.
The network also noted that is has raised P237 million to fund response to the coronavirus pandemic but fund raising efforts have been curtailed by the CDO.
ABS-CBN shares fell by 9.6 percent as it resumed trading on Monday, down to P15.82 per share from P17.50 on May 5 when the CDO was served. Analysts predict it could go as low as P12.25 per share.
PROVISIONAL FRANCHISE BILL
While the network acknowledged efforts in Congress to pass a provisional franchise to allow it to operate until October 31 this year, it said it would still take time before House Bill No. 6732 is passed into law and it will still go through approval in the Senate and by the President as well as publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
"Moreover, ABS-CBN will, thereafter, have to seek and obtain from the NTC the necessary permits to operate. This may take some week, if not months," it said.
"In the meantime, ABS-CBN, its employees, various stakeholders, and the general public will continue to suffer grave and irreparable injury as a result of the Cease and Desist Order issued by the NTC."
Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez earlier said he would ask House leaders on Monday to recall the approval of the bill on second reading to prevent questions on its constitutionality.
Rodriguez also said he wanted to amend a provision that required ABS-CBN to allot 10 percent of its advertisement airtime to "public service time for the judiciary, for the executive, for the legislature, for the constitutional commission."
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/18/20/abs-cbn-urges-supreme-court-to-stop-shutdown-immediately-protect-11000-workers
House bill on Kapamilya franchise a welcome development
Thank you, Our Lady of Fatima! On May 13, her feast day, ABS-CBN got its Provisional License from Congress with House Bill 6732, authored by Congressmen Alan Peter Cayetano, Boyet Gonzalez, Raneo Abu, Robbie Puno, Dan Fernandez, LRay Villafuerte, Martin Romualdez and Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado.
The bill allows the network to operate until Oct. 31, 2020. An optimistic and expeditious timeline starts today, May 18, where congress is expected to have its third and final reading, after which the bill will be transmitted to the Senate tomorrow, May 19. On May 20, the Senate will have its first hearing, its second reading on May 25, and its third and final reading on June 1.
Hopefully, both houses will ratify the bill by June 3 and then submit it to Pres. Rodrigo Duterte for his signature. The president then has three options: One, sign it into law; two, veto it; and three, not sign it and wait 30 days until it automatically becomes a law. Barring any delays or objections, ABS-CBN will be back on air by the first week of June. In the interim, the House of Representatives and the Senate will start deliberating on the franchise renewal good for 25 years.
This is a very welcome development since ABS-CBN went off the air on May 5. Social media was flooded with messages of sympathy, support and love for the network. On the other hand, many netizens also gloated and criticized the network, rejoicing at ABS-CBN’s plight. The network became a divisive issue that added more stress and anxiety during this pandemic, especially to loyal viewers and listeners of ABS-CBN and DZMM who only have free TV and radio to rely on for their news and entertainment. At least TV Patrol and Teleradyo are still available online and on SkyCable Channel 26 and TV Plus Channel 5.
There is also a chance that ABS-CBN can go back on air sooner if the Supreme Court issues a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on the Cease and Desist Order (CDO) earlier filed by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) against the network. Several legal luminaries have expressed that what NTC did was a clear violation of due process. It blatantly disregarded the power of Congress, which has the sole authority to revoke and issue franchises. Hopefully, the Supreme Court will come out with a favorable decision.
The clamor for ABS-CBN to return has been overwhelming. As I write this (on May 15), signal No. 3 has been raised over Samar and Sorsogon because of Typhoon Ambo, which has brought heavy rains and strong winds. There are some remote areas in these regions that rely solely on the radio for news. Sadly, because ABS-CBN is off the air there, those who reside in these remote areas will not be getting the accurate weather updates and pandemic situationers. They count on us to deliver. The loyal viewers of our teleseryes are also undoubtedly restless at this time, the hours seeming longer because entertainment options are limited or absent.
At this point, however, all we can do is wait for our lawmakers to conduct fair and impartial hearings, and pray fervently and relentlessly that our lawmakers are blessed with discernment, propriety and compassion for the majority.
OKS gives Kapamilya a new viewing experience
Beginning May 20, Kapamilya will be able to enjoy a new digital channel called OKS (Online Kapamilya Shows), a straight-to-digital website housed in abscbn.com. Because the globe is going digital, the Kapamilya network is pioneering our country’s efforts to produce original online content. When the COVID-19 pandemic halted the production of taped shows, an opportunity arose to focus the network’s efforts on the creation of short-form web content. Thirty shows were approved for the May 20 launch, all of which are edgy, experimental, interactive and highly entertaining. Of course, the shows will all bear the “tatak Kapamilya” seal since they are topbilled by ABS-CBN artists. According to Digital Content head Richard Reynante, OKS will be a new viewing experience.
https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2020/05/18/2014664/house-bill-kapamilya-franchise-welcome-development-pat-p
The bill allows the network to operate until Oct. 31, 2020. An optimistic and expeditious timeline starts today, May 18, where congress is expected to have its third and final reading, after which the bill will be transmitted to the Senate tomorrow, May 19. On May 20, the Senate will have its first hearing, its second reading on May 25, and its third and final reading on June 1.
Hopefully, both houses will ratify the bill by June 3 and then submit it to Pres. Rodrigo Duterte for his signature. The president then has three options: One, sign it into law; two, veto it; and three, not sign it and wait 30 days until it automatically becomes a law. Barring any delays or objections, ABS-CBN will be back on air by the first week of June. In the interim, the House of Representatives and the Senate will start deliberating on the franchise renewal good for 25 years.
This is a very welcome development since ABS-CBN went off the air on May 5. Social media was flooded with messages of sympathy, support and love for the network. On the other hand, many netizens also gloated and criticized the network, rejoicing at ABS-CBN’s plight. The network became a divisive issue that added more stress and anxiety during this pandemic, especially to loyal viewers and listeners of ABS-CBN and DZMM who only have free TV and radio to rely on for their news and entertainment. At least TV Patrol and Teleradyo are still available online and on SkyCable Channel 26 and TV Plus Channel 5.
There is also a chance that ABS-CBN can go back on air sooner if the Supreme Court issues a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on the Cease and Desist Order (CDO) earlier filed by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) against the network. Several legal luminaries have expressed that what NTC did was a clear violation of due process. It blatantly disregarded the power of Congress, which has the sole authority to revoke and issue franchises. Hopefully, the Supreme Court will come out with a favorable decision.
The clamor for ABS-CBN to return has been overwhelming. As I write this (on May 15), signal No. 3 has been raised over Samar and Sorsogon because of Typhoon Ambo, which has brought heavy rains and strong winds. There are some remote areas in these regions that rely solely on the radio for news. Sadly, because ABS-CBN is off the air there, those who reside in these remote areas will not be getting the accurate weather updates and pandemic situationers. They count on us to deliver. The loyal viewers of our teleseryes are also undoubtedly restless at this time, the hours seeming longer because entertainment options are limited or absent.
At this point, however, all we can do is wait for our lawmakers to conduct fair and impartial hearings, and pray fervently and relentlessly that our lawmakers are blessed with discernment, propriety and compassion for the majority.
OKS gives Kapamilya a new viewing experience
Beginning May 20, Kapamilya will be able to enjoy a new digital channel called OKS (Online Kapamilya Shows), a straight-to-digital website housed in abscbn.com. Because the globe is going digital, the Kapamilya network is pioneering our country’s efforts to produce original online content. When the COVID-19 pandemic halted the production of taped shows, an opportunity arose to focus the network’s efforts on the creation of short-form web content. Thirty shows were approved for the May 20 launch, all of which are edgy, experimental, interactive and highly entertaining. Of course, the shows will all bear the “tatak Kapamilya” seal since they are topbilled by ABS-CBN artists. According to Digital Content head Richard Reynante, OKS will be a new viewing experience.
https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2020/05/18/2014664/house-bill-kapamilya-franchise-welcome-development-pat-p
House panel to probe ABS-CBN violations
A key leader of the House of Representatives served notice to the Lopez-owned ABS-CBN that the chamber will still look into alleged violations of the TV giant’s legislative franchise even if a new franchise is already underway.
Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, chairman of the House committee on legislative franchises, made it clear that they will take up all House resolutions related to the renewal, “including” that of Davao City Rep. and Deputy Speaker Paolo Duterte’s House Resolution 853.
The resolution, co-authored by Reps. Abraham Tolentino (Tagaytay) – brother of Sen. Francis Tolentino – and ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Go Yap, wants the House leadership to conduct “an investigation into ABS-CBN’s alleged violations of its franchise.”
Both Tolentino and Yap are allies of the Duterte administration – Tolentino heads the House accounts committee while Yap sits as chairman of the committee on appropriations.
“Whereas, ABS-CBN Corp. is operating a pay-per-view channel through free-to-air signals in violation of its legislative franchise. By charging the public with this pay-per-view Kapamilya Box Office channel through TV Plus, it has been gaining huge profits at the expense of the public while using the air frequencies provided by the government for free,” they declared.
The Alvarez committee was tasked to investigate the alleged franchise violations as ABS-CBN tries to renew its expired May 4 franchise, hoping to extend it for another 25 years, or until 2045.
The House has constituted itself into a committee of the whole and approved on second reading a bill giving the broadcast network franchise that will be valid until Oct. 31 this year, subject to the lawmakers’ final decision to issue a 25-year franchise or not.
Last week, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has asked their counterparts in the Senate to respect the discretion and actions of the House on the franchise renewal application of broadcast giant ABS-CBN.
“We want to work with you, to build our nation, but respect our timing and manner of holding our hearings. In other words, let’s all play nice and not just pretend to be nice,” Cayetano said in a statement.
“Allow us to do our jobs. Remember it is always easier to get 24 people to agree than 300. Remember we represent specific constituencies and sectors and that is why the 1987 Constitution provides that franchise bills will exclusively emanate from the House,” he said.
The Speaker made the appeal as several senators questioned the bill passed by the House allowing the network to return on air by granting a provisional franchise until October while Congress deliberates on its franchise renewal application.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, meantime, called on Cayetano to “cure” what he called as “defective passage of interim franchise” that may eventually be passed on third reading in the chamber.
“Exigency or even good motives cannot excuse or validate the repetition of an unconstitutional act or procedure,” he said, calling on the House leader to “desist from intransigence to cure defective passage of interim franchise.”
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/05/18/2014788/house-panel-probe-abs-cbn-violations
Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, chairman of the House committee on legislative franchises, made it clear that they will take up all House resolutions related to the renewal, “including” that of Davao City Rep. and Deputy Speaker Paolo Duterte’s House Resolution 853.
The resolution, co-authored by Reps. Abraham Tolentino (Tagaytay) – brother of Sen. Francis Tolentino – and ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Go Yap, wants the House leadership to conduct “an investigation into ABS-CBN’s alleged violations of its franchise.”
Both Tolentino and Yap are allies of the Duterte administration – Tolentino heads the House accounts committee while Yap sits as chairman of the committee on appropriations.
“Whereas, ABS-CBN Corp. is operating a pay-per-view channel through free-to-air signals in violation of its legislative franchise. By charging the public with this pay-per-view Kapamilya Box Office channel through TV Plus, it has been gaining huge profits at the expense of the public while using the air frequencies provided by the government for free,” they declared.
The Alvarez committee was tasked to investigate the alleged franchise violations as ABS-CBN tries to renew its expired May 4 franchise, hoping to extend it for another 25 years, or until 2045.
The House has constituted itself into a committee of the whole and approved on second reading a bill giving the broadcast network franchise that will be valid until Oct. 31 this year, subject to the lawmakers’ final decision to issue a 25-year franchise or not.
Last week, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has asked their counterparts in the Senate to respect the discretion and actions of the House on the franchise renewal application of broadcast giant ABS-CBN.
“We want to work with you, to build our nation, but respect our timing and manner of holding our hearings. In other words, let’s all play nice and not just pretend to be nice,” Cayetano said in a statement.
“Allow us to do our jobs. Remember it is always easier to get 24 people to agree than 300. Remember we represent specific constituencies and sectors and that is why the 1987 Constitution provides that franchise bills will exclusively emanate from the House,” he said.
The Speaker made the appeal as several senators questioned the bill passed by the House allowing the network to return on air by granting a provisional franchise until October while Congress deliberates on its franchise renewal application.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, meantime, called on Cayetano to “cure” what he called as “defective passage of interim franchise” that may eventually be passed on third reading in the chamber.
“Exigency or even good motives cannot excuse or validate the repetition of an unconstitutional act or procedure,” he said, calling on the House leader to “desist from intransigence to cure defective passage of interim franchise.”
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/05/18/2014788/house-panel-probe-abs-cbn-violations
Friday, May 15, 2020
Closure of ABS-CBN broadcast operations affects Filipinos in far-flung areas amid Ambo’s onslaught
Some checkpoint authorities in the border of Aurora Province were hopeful that media giant ABS-CBN will resume its broadcasting operations as the country faces its first typhoon, claiming it is the only network that has signal in far-flung areas.
Jeff Canoy, one of the network’s broadcast journalists who cover disasters, shared that he and his team encountered these police officers when they reached Aurora for the Typhoon “Ambo” (international name: “Vongfong”) coverage.
He narrated that when the authorities listed their names as they presented their identification cards issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force, one of the police officers asked him if he is one of the reporters who usually cover natural disasters.
Canoy confirmed this and he was later asked, “Babalik na ba kayo, sir?”
The reporter told the police officer that he and his team are just on their way to Aurora but the cop later clarified that he was referring to the network’s broadcasting operations and not their itinerary.
“Hindi sir. ‘Yung ABS, babalik na ba?” the officer asked.
Canoy answered that he is hoping the network can resume its broadcasting operations soon.
The police officer then told him that he is likewise hopeful for the network’s return, citing mobile signal woes.
“Facebook na lang ba kayo? Hirap ng data dito sa bundok, sir,” the officer said.
ABS-CBN went off the air on May 5, a day after its 25-year legislative franchise granted by the Congress on March 30, 1995 expired.
This was in compliance with the cease-and-desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission on May 5.
The network shifted its broadcasts to online platforms and other properties not affected by the closure order on May 7, where viewers can watch and listen to its news provided they have a stable internet connection.
The police officer claimed that in Aurora, only ABS-CBN has a strong network signal.
“ABS lang ang malakas ang signal dito. May bagyo ngayon, ‘di namin malaman kung ano nangyayari,” he told the reporter.
“Sana makabalik na kayo sir,” the police officer added.
Aurora is one of the provinces directly affected by Typhoon “Ambo” which has since made six landfalls ever since it entered the Philippine area of responsibility and initially landed on Eastern Samar on Thursday.
As of 11 a.m. today, parts of the province are under tropical cyclone wind signal number three which carries winds measuring 121 to 170 km/h expected in 18 hours.
The typhoon has so far complicated the country’s response in fighting the novel coronavirus as authorities enforce physical distancing measures in evacuation centers, among others.
Meanwhile, Canoy shared the whole story of the incident on Facebook, where it has gone viral with more than 6,000 shares and 39,000 reactions. He also shared this on Twitter.
Struggle of getting news updates
Other Filipinos in the comments section shared similar stories of residents supposedly having a hard time receiving news updates, citing that ABS-CBN is the only channel which their television and radios can pick signals from, living in far-flung areas.
“I got a tweet with similar concerns. Nag-aalala daw siya sa parents niya kasi malayo siya at sa lugar ng parents niya, ABS lang ang meron,” a Facebook user wrote and then shared a screengrab of the tweet.
The tweet reads, “Namomroblema po tuloy ang parents ko sa Sorsogon kasi sa munisipyo pa kami, malayo sa (siyudad). Wala silang mapapanoodan. Hay naku. Ngayon pa talaga. Without consideration ang NTC.”
Similar sentiments on the issue could also be found on the microblogging platform where Filipinos shared concerns about getting information while a typhoon is ravaging some parts of the country.
Another ABS-CBN broadcast journalist, Jervis Manahan, shared his fears over families affected by the typhoon whose only source of information is Channel 2.
“Nakakaiyak basahin ang mga comments at tweets ng mga taong nangangamba para sa mga kapamilya nilang taga-malayong lugar o isla ngayong may bagyo at walang ABS-CBN. Akala kasi ng publiko, lahat ng Pinoy may data, signal, o access sa social media. Hindi pala,” he said on Facebook.
“Nalalagay tuloy sa panganib ang mga tao. Sa halip na maging ligtas, mas nalalapit sila sa peligro. Paano kung hindi sila nakapaghanda sa bagyo?” Manahan added.
He recalled a past coverage where he interviewed a group of fishermen in Palawan who was nearly victimized by Typhoon “Vinta” which claimed more than 200 lives.
“Noong January 2018, sa Palawan, may mga na-interview akong mangingisda. Inabutan ng bagyo sa dagat. Na-radiohan naman noong malapit na ang Bagyong Vinta,” Manahan said.
“Pero nasira pa rin ang bangka, mabuti na lang at nakaligtas sila.Kaya naman napakahalaga ang access sa impormasyon at balita, kasi minsan, buhay ang nakataya,” he continued.
Manahan hoped that people who are against the network would consider others in far-flung areas whose only means of information is through television or radio which could only gather signals transmitted by Channel 2, especially in times of disasters.
Franchise renewal woes
The ABS-CBN shutdown affected 42 analog television stations, including the network’s flagship Channel 2, ten digital broadcasting channels, 18 FM radio stations and five AM radio stations.
The network’s franchise was supposed to be renewed by the legislative body this year but it has since languished in the Congress, particularly the lower House, where at least 11 of different bills have already been filed.
A blame game occurred among some members of the House of Representatives in which House Speaker Alan Cayetano accused the NTC of “ambushing” the lower House who he claimed was supposed to tackle the bill.
The NTC was reportedly threatened by Solicitor General Jose Calida prior to the issuance of the cease-and-desist order.
The lower chamber has since approved a bill giving the network provisional franchise up to December 31, 2020. Latest reports indicate that ABS-CBN’s provisional franchise has already been approved on the second reading.
Once it gets the House’s nod on the third deliberation, it would then be tackled by the Senate and will later be up for the president’s approval.
https://www.interaksyon.com/politics-issues/2020/05/15/168549/closure-abs-cbn-broadcast-operations-affects-filipinos-in-far-flung-areas-amid-ambos-onslaught/
Jeff Canoy, one of the network’s broadcast journalists who cover disasters, shared that he and his team encountered these police officers when they reached Aurora for the Typhoon “Ambo” (international name: “Vongfong”) coverage.
He narrated that when the authorities listed their names as they presented their identification cards issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force, one of the police officers asked him if he is one of the reporters who usually cover natural disasters.
Canoy confirmed this and he was later asked, “Babalik na ba kayo, sir?”
The reporter told the police officer that he and his team are just on their way to Aurora but the cop later clarified that he was referring to the network’s broadcasting operations and not their itinerary.
“Hindi sir. ‘Yung ABS, babalik na ba?” the officer asked.
Canoy answered that he is hoping the network can resume its broadcasting operations soon.
The police officer then told him that he is likewise hopeful for the network’s return, citing mobile signal woes.
“Facebook na lang ba kayo? Hirap ng data dito sa bundok, sir,” the officer said.
ABS-CBN went off the air on May 5, a day after its 25-year legislative franchise granted by the Congress on March 30, 1995 expired.
This was in compliance with the cease-and-desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission on May 5.
The network shifted its broadcasts to online platforms and other properties not affected by the closure order on May 7, where viewers can watch and listen to its news provided they have a stable internet connection.
The police officer claimed that in Aurora, only ABS-CBN has a strong network signal.
“ABS lang ang malakas ang signal dito. May bagyo ngayon, ‘di namin malaman kung ano nangyayari,” he told the reporter.
“Sana makabalik na kayo sir,” the police officer added.
Aurora is one of the provinces directly affected by Typhoon “Ambo” which has since made six landfalls ever since it entered the Philippine area of responsibility and initially landed on Eastern Samar on Thursday.
As of 11 a.m. today, parts of the province are under tropical cyclone wind signal number three which carries winds measuring 121 to 170 km/h expected in 18 hours.
The typhoon has so far complicated the country’s response in fighting the novel coronavirus as authorities enforce physical distancing measures in evacuation centers, among others.
Meanwhile, Canoy shared the whole story of the incident on Facebook, where it has gone viral with more than 6,000 shares and 39,000 reactions. He also shared this on Twitter.
Struggle of getting news updates
Other Filipinos in the comments section shared similar stories of residents supposedly having a hard time receiving news updates, citing that ABS-CBN is the only channel which their television and radios can pick signals from, living in far-flung areas.
“I got a tweet with similar concerns. Nag-aalala daw siya sa parents niya kasi malayo siya at sa lugar ng parents niya, ABS lang ang meron,” a Facebook user wrote and then shared a screengrab of the tweet.
The tweet reads, “Namomroblema po tuloy ang parents ko sa Sorsogon kasi sa munisipyo pa kami, malayo sa (siyudad). Wala silang mapapanoodan. Hay naku. Ngayon pa talaga. Without consideration ang NTC.”
Similar sentiments on the issue could also be found on the microblogging platform where Filipinos shared concerns about getting information while a typhoon is ravaging some parts of the country.
Kahit dito sa Bicol sa Bulan Sorsogon ABS-CBN ang pinapanuod sobrang hirap kasi di Alam balita sa bagyo 😢#AmboPH https://t.co/793ax1NbXM— Sandrex (@drexgmiranda) May 14, 2020
nakakalungkot, Sa panahon pa tlaga ngaun nawala ang ABS CBN, isa ito sa pinagkukunan ng impormasyon sa isla nmin. kase ito ang may malakas na signal dun. nangangapa kung ano na, at gaano kalakas ang bagyo. mabibigla nalang na humahagupit na. @ANCALERTS @ABSCBNNews— Mikmik (@mikayfabian) May 15, 2020
Malaking tulong sana kung nagbabalita ngayon ang ABS-CBN. May bagyo tapos ang iba dito saamin, channel 2 lang ang abot ng signal. Awinduh baga san. 😪— death the kid (@yjjyx) May 14, 2020
Another ABS-CBN broadcast journalist, Jervis Manahan, shared his fears over families affected by the typhoon whose only source of information is Channel 2.
“Nakakaiyak basahin ang mga comments at tweets ng mga taong nangangamba para sa mga kapamilya nilang taga-malayong lugar o isla ngayong may bagyo at walang ABS-CBN. Akala kasi ng publiko, lahat ng Pinoy may data, signal, o access sa social media. Hindi pala,” he said on Facebook.
“Nalalagay tuloy sa panganib ang mga tao. Sa halip na maging ligtas, mas nalalapit sila sa peligro. Paano kung hindi sila nakapaghanda sa bagyo?” Manahan added.
He recalled a past coverage where he interviewed a group of fishermen in Palawan who was nearly victimized by Typhoon “Vinta” which claimed more than 200 lives.
“Noong January 2018, sa Palawan, may mga na-interview akong mangingisda. Inabutan ng bagyo sa dagat. Na-radiohan naman noong malapit na ang Bagyong Vinta,” Manahan said.
“Pero nasira pa rin ang bangka, mabuti na lang at nakaligtas sila.Kaya naman napakahalaga ang access sa impormasyon at balita, kasi minsan, buhay ang nakataya,” he continued.
Manahan hoped that people who are against the network would consider others in far-flung areas whose only means of information is through television or radio which could only gather signals transmitted by Channel 2, especially in times of disasters.
Franchise renewal woes
The ABS-CBN shutdown affected 42 analog television stations, including the network’s flagship Channel 2, ten digital broadcasting channels, 18 FM radio stations and five AM radio stations.
The network’s franchise was supposed to be renewed by the legislative body this year but it has since languished in the Congress, particularly the lower House, where at least 11 of different bills have already been filed.
A blame game occurred among some members of the House of Representatives in which House Speaker Alan Cayetano accused the NTC of “ambushing” the lower House who he claimed was supposed to tackle the bill.
The NTC was reportedly threatened by Solicitor General Jose Calida prior to the issuance of the cease-and-desist order.
The lower chamber has since approved a bill giving the network provisional franchise up to December 31, 2020. Latest reports indicate that ABS-CBN’s provisional franchise has already been approved on the second reading.
Once it gets the House’s nod on the third deliberation, it would then be tackled by the Senate and will later be up for the president’s approval.
https://www.interaksyon.com/politics-issues/2020/05/15/168549/closure-abs-cbn-broadcast-operations-affects-filipinos-in-far-flung-areas-amid-ambos-onslaught/
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