How lawmakers voted on ABS-CBN's failed bid for new franchise

After 12 sessions of hours-long deliberations on the issues surrounding ABS-CBN Corporation, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises denied the television giant to operate for another 25 years.

Eighty-five members of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises decided on the fate of the media giant. Of this number, 46 are regular members and 39 are ex-officio members.

The chamber on Thursday had a summation of all issues thrown at the network such as the citizenship of ABS-CBN chairman emeritus Gabby Lopez, the 50-year limit on franchises, issuance of Philippine Depositary Receipts to foreigners, alleged tax-avoidance schemes, political meddling, and unfair labor practices, among others.

Then a technical working group (TWG) was formed to discuss all the recommendations regarding the franchise application. The TWG decided later to disapprove the network’s franchise renewal.

As the lawmakers were about to vote, committee chairperson Rep. Franz Alvarez explained that a “yes” vote would mean support to the adoption of the TWG’s resolution to deny the renewal, and a “no” vote means being in favor of granting ABS-CBN a fresh legislative franchise.

In the end, 70 lawmakers agreed with the TWG to deny the franchise application, while 11 others voted against the recommendationn. At least three lawmakers inhibited.

Deputy Speaker Rep. Pablo John Garcia said that not all members of TWG were consulted because of their stance on the issue based on their conduct during the hearing.

“The consensus was determined by the TWG by consulting some of the members," Garcia said. "Not all members were consulted because the inclinations of some of the members can already be determined from their conduct during the hearings."

The TWG said in its report that the recommendation is not related to press freedom, but “denial of a privilege granted by the State because the applicant was seen undeserving of the grant of legislative franchise.”

LOOK: Technical working group of the House Legislative Franchises Committee recommends the denial of ABS-CBN's franchise application. pic.twitter.com/RnqkMDROh4

— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) July 10, 2020

Of all the issues raised on ABS-CBN, Anakalusugan Party-list Rep. Mike Defensor told CNN Philippines that the members of the TWG agreed that only the issue on the 50-year limit on franchises did not violate the Constitution.

As of this writing, the House has not yet released the names of the congressmen who voted against the franchise renewal.

But according to Kabataan Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago, the 11 lawmakers who favored granting a 25-year franchise to ABS-CBN were the following:

1. Sol Aragones
2. Toff De Venecia
3. Carlos Zarate
4. Gab Bordado
5. Vilma Santos
6. Lianda Bolilia
7. Ping Tejada
8. Benny Abante
9. Stella Quimbo
10. Mujiv Hataman
11. Edward Maceda

Quimbo lamented that denial of a new franchise to the network would mean job losses for the 11,000 employees.

“Pangunahin po sa naging paninindigan natin ang pagsasaalang-alang sa kapakanan ng mga empleyado’t manggagawa ng network na inaasahang mawawalan ng trabaho, gayong may napakalaking krisis pa naman sa COVID-19," said Quimbo in a statement. "Saan na sila pupunta?."

[Translation: I stood for the welfare of the workers of the network, who will lose their jobs, especially now that we are facing a huge crisis on COVID-19. Where will they go?]

Meanwhile, Sagip Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, one of the staunch critics of ABS-CBN, said the broadcasting network should have been humble.

“It’s too late now. Hinihintay ko lang sanang magpakababa sila eh (I was waiting for them humble down themselves),” said Marcoleta. “They had that sense of entitlement.”

Abante told CNN Philippines that the media giant can file a motion for reconsideration and lawmakers can also file a new bill seeking a new franchise for the network once Congress resumes session on July 27.

In case the committee voted no on the renewal of franchise, Defensor recently explained that ABS-CBN could reapply for legislative franchise.

ABS-CBN has been off air since May 5 after the National Telecommunications Commission issued a cease and desist order due to the expiration of its legislative franchise.

CNN Philippines correspondent Xianne Arcangel contributed to this report

https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/7/10/How-lawmakers-voted-ABS-CBN-franchise-.html

Cayetano: Read thoroughly the findings of House committee to understand decision on ABS-CBN

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano wants the public to read thoroughly the findings made by the House Committee on Legislative Franchise on ABS-CBN’s bid for a fresh franchise that was rejected by the House panel.

In a statement issued following the 70-11 voting on the findings made by the three-man Technical Working Group, Cayetano said it is important for the public to fully understand why the vote went that way.

“The House leadership asks that the people read the findings carefully in order to appreciate the reasons for their decision. And for those who do not agree, at the least, understand why the decision had to be so,” Cayetano said.

Although qualified to vote as ex-officio committee member, the House leader did not participate in the voting that took place on the 13th meeting of the legislative franchise panel chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez.

Cayetano recalled that prior to the start of the congressional hearings that was jointly conducted with the Committee on Good Government, the Lower Chamber “committed and delivered a time for Congress to conduct fair, impartial, thorough, and comprehensive hearings on the application for franchise renewal of the ABS-CBN Corporation.

“Because of the highly partisan nature of this issue, we accepted from the start that there would be those who will vehemently disagree with the committee’s decision, no matter what they resolve,” he said.

Cayetano had admitted that he used to harbor a grudge against the network who he had previously accused of engaging in partisan politics, especially during the 2016 president elections.

Despite this, the House official assured the public that ABS-CBN will be treated with fairness and will be given a chance to respond to complaints against the network.

Cayetano likewise stressed that the process was by no means easy for anyone involved in the proceedings, but assured the public that the final resolution was not arrived at by the Committee on Legislative Franchises without serious consideration of the overall impact it will have on the nation.

Cayetano acknowledged the fact that the public has differences in opinions about the issue.  However, he remained confident that “everyone will eventually come to respect the decision of the committee. 

https://mb.com.ph/2020/07/10/cayetano-read-thoroughly-the-findings-of-house-committee-to-understand-decision-on-abs-cbn/

Solons may refile ABS-CBN franchise renewal bills in case of rejection

House members can immediately refile bills seeking the renewal of ABS-CBN’s operating franchise in the event that the Legislative Franchises Committee votes against the current application after the series of marathon hearings.

“As far as I know, there’s no prohibition on the filing or re-filing of bills that are not favorably acted upon by a committee,” a congressman told the Manila Bulletin on Friday.

He said that unlike impeachment complaints against the President, which are limited to just one per year, there are no prescribed limits for the filing of franchise application bills. He said these are treated like any other proposed measures in the House of Representatives.

“Just like any other bill that doesn’t become a law for whatever reason, like it was vetoed, it was approved by one chamber but wasn’t by the other chamber, it didn’t reach third reading, or it wasn’t acted upon by a committee, it could be filed again in the next Congress,” the congressman explained.

But members of the House don’t necessarily have to wait for the next Congress to refile.

“What the members can file is a similar bill [to the one that did not prosper], but it should not be the exact same bill. Obviously, if the subject of a bill is the same as one that a committee has already decided on, the committee will not deliberate on it again anymore,” he said.

He underscored that the practicality of refiling similar bills at once is an entirely different matter. “The committee that tackled your bill will basically have the same composition as before. You’re talking to the same people. So there’s no certainty of a different result.”

The pending franchise renewal of television and radio giant ABS-CBN has led to an unprecedented 13 joint hearings by the Legislative Franchises Committee and the Good Government and Public Accountability Committee from start to finish.

Receiving much focus and attention both at the plenary hall and in social media during the proceedings were the alleged violations of the network against the 1987 Constitution and its previous 25-year franchise.

The company, which went off the air last May 5, employs an estimated 11,000 people. It will begin laying off workers by August this year if their non-operation persists.

“ABS-CBN will be the most high-profile rejection by the Legislative Franchises panel, if it does get rejected. Rarely talaga nag-rereject ang committee kasi usually kung ayaw i-approve, hindi lang ite-take up (Rarely does the committee ever reject an application. If there’s a bill that it doesn’t want to approve, then it’s usually not taken up),” the congressman said.

https://mb.com.ph/2020/07/10/solons-may-refile-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal-bills-in-case-of-rejection/

Philippine Congress Officially Shuts Down Leading Broadcaster

By voting not to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN, lawmakers silenced a major network that had come under fire from President Rodrigo Duterte.

Philippine lawmakers on Friday formally shut down the country’s largest broadcast network, the latest major blow against the news media as President Rodrigo Duterte cracks down on outlets that have been critical of his leadership.

After 13 hearings, a committee of the House of Representatives — most of whose members are allied with Mr. Duterte — voted by an overwhelming majority to deny ABS-CBN’s application for renewal of its broadcast franchise. The network had been forced off the air in May, after the franchise expired.

“We remain committed to public service, and we hope to find other ways to achieve our mission,” said Carlo Katigbak, ABS-CBN’s president and chief executive, in a statement on Friday. He said the network was “deeply hurt.”

The president’s spokesman, Harry Roque, sought to distance Mr. Duterte from the decision.

“The palace has maintained a neutral stance on the issue as it respects the separation of powers between the two coequal branches of government,” he said. “Much as we want to work with the aforesaid media network, we have to abide by the resolution of the House committee.”

Mr. Duterte has accused ABS-CBN of bias, including favoring a political opponent in the 2016 election, and had earlier warned that he would not allow the renewal of its franchise.

The president’s critics say he has gone after media outlets that closely documented his drug war, which has left thousands of people dead since he took office in 2016.

ABS-CBN ceased operations of its free TV and radio channels by government order after its 25-year franchise expired in May. ABS-CBN still operates a cable channel and internet sites, but the company has told its 11,000 employees that they could be let go by August if its broadcast franchise was not renewed.

After the network went off the air, there was a backlash from millions of Filipinos who rely on it for news, forcing the lower house of Congress to rush hearings on the franchise renewal.

The government has accused ABS-CBN of illegally operating a cable channel, as well as hiding behind what it called a “corporate veil” that allowed foreign investors to own part of the firm. ABS-CBN has denied the allegations.

Fourteen lawmakers who sponsored bills backing the network argued that the hearings had not proven that ABS-CBN broke any regulations that warranted its closure.

“Seventy million Filipinos tune to its programs weekly,” they said in a joint statement. “Now more than ever, in the time of a pandemic, we need a vibrant and independent source of information and news to tell the people what is going on.”

Nonoy Espina, who heads the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, said that lawmakers who were seeking to block the franchise renewal had “gripes” to settle. By voting to shut down ABS-CBN, Mr. Espina said, the House “has lost all claim to represent the people and our interests.”

The congressional hearings did shine a light on some shortcomings of big media networks, including unfair labor practices and a lack of self-regulation, analysts said.

“But legislators have no business to say how media should operate,” said Danilo Arao, a journalism professor at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. ABS-CBN, he said, “is being singled out.”

Phil Robertson, the deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, called the decision a “grievous assault on press freedom,” adding, “This move solidifies the tyranny of President Rodrigo Duterte.” The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines said it was a “profoundly dark day for journalists.”

As the leading broadcaster in the country, ABS-CBN was known for its prime time flagship news program, “TV Patrol,” as well as soap operas and afternoon variety TV shows.

Along with the online news site Rappler, ABS-CBN has been at the forefront of coverage of Mr. Duterte’s violent drug war.

Recently, a Manila court convicted Rappler’s chief executive, Maria Ressa, and a former staff writer of cyberlibel. Ms. Ressa, an award-winning former CNN journalist, is out on bail while the case is on appeal, but she could face up to six years in prison.

Mr. Duterte has often gone after members of the press that he dislikes. He has called journalists “sons of bitches” and warned that they were not exempt from the possibility of physical attacks.

He has accused Rappler of being funded by the Central Intelligence Agency, though he has never offered evidence for that. This week, he accused Ms. Ressa of being a “fraud” and said a new case could be filed against her. He did not elaborate.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/10/world/asia/philippines-congress-media-duterte-abs-cbn.html

Marcoleta: No chance for ABS-CBN to get new franchise, not even in 2022

There is chance for ABS-CBN Corp. to secure a fresh 25-year license even if the company files a new franchise bill in 2022, as the government will likely give the network's revoked frequencies to a "more deserving" applicant, Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta said Friday.

At a press conference live streamed on Facebook after a House panel voted to deny ABS-CBN's bid for a new license, Marcoleta, who has led attacks against the Lopez-led network since legislators were forced to tackle the company's franchise bills, said broadcast frequencies are "finite resources" that the government "allocates."

"Pano kung may binigyan na ang gobyerno? Anong franchise pa ang ibibigay mo sa kanya (What if the government gives the franchise to another media company? What franchise are you going to give to ABS-CBN)?" Marcoleta said.

Marcoleta is a member of the powerful Iglesia ni Cristo, which was rumored to be lobbying for the non-renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise. Philstar.com cannot independently verify the rumor. On Wednesday, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano denied what he called "rumors of threats and intimidation coming from certain groups, even linking it with specific religious organizations, and congressional leaders."

Voting 70-11, a joint panel at the House of Representatives rejected a bill seeking the renewal of the network's congressional franchise, which expired on May 4.

The move will ensure the embattled media company will remain off air since the Duterte administration ordered it to "cease and desist" its free TV and radio channels on May 5, a first since late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. did the same during the martial law era. 

Officials of the National Telecommunications Commission have not been answering phone calls from Philstar.com for comment. 

ABS-CBN's franchise woes started after earning the ire of President Duterte, whose allies dominate the House of Representatives. Upon taking office in 2016, Duterte repeatedly attacked ABS-CBN and threatened to block the renewal of the company's franchise.

At a House hearing on Monday, Regina Reyes, head of ABS-CBN’s news division, said around 69 million people lost access to information and entertainment from the network due to the shutdown. Founded in 1953, the network employs some 11,000 people.

Some lawmakers said ABS-CBN can still appeal the panel's decision or apply again for a franchise as long as bills for it are filed. But Marcoleta disagreed.

"As for them filing another bill, there's no way. Why would you process the application from the same organization when it was rejected?" he said.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/07/10/2027070/marcoleta-no-chance-abs-cbn-get-new-franchise-not-even-2022

DENIED | Lawmakers reject ABS-CBN franchise renewal

Lawmakers in the lower chamber of Congress denied renewing the franchise of broadcast media giant ABS-CBN on Friday.

The House Committee on Legislative Franchises voted 70 against the renewal, and 11 for the renewal. Two have chosen to inhibit, while one abstained.

Only 44 votes were required to pass the resolution.

“This in effect, kills the franchise,” Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor said.

A Technical Working Group (TWG), headed by Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia of Cebu drafted the recommendations after the summation of arguments presented by lawmakers on Thursday.

“The likely consensus among members of this committee was to disapprove the application of ABS-CBN for another franchise,” Garcia said.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, who argued for the renewal, questioned how the consensus was done.

But Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor said both majority and minority members were represented in the TWG, noting that Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo voted against the resolution.

The National Telecommunications Commission ordered the network to stop broadcasting on May 5, after its franchise expired the day before.

Lawmakers spent 12 hearings on various issues such as chairman emeritus’ Gabby Lopez’ citizenship, questions of bias, tax payments, property titles, and blocktime agreements as ABS-CBN petitioned to renew its franchise for 25 more years.

But the 74-year old network may file a motion for reconsideration or refile its franchise application.

https://news.tv5.com.ph/breaking/read/denied-lawmakers-reject-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal

ABS-CBN can re-apply for franchise under Duterte admin if House rejects bid: solon

ABS-CBN Corp. can again seek a franchise during President Rodrigo Duterte's administration if its application is rejected on Friday by a House committee, a lawmaker said. 

Over 90 members and ex-officio members of the House franchise committee on Friday afternoon are expected to vote on the network's franchise, with the jobs of its 11,000 workers on the line. 

"ABS-CBN is not precluded from filing another application for franchise. Once there's a sponsor, even if it is within the same Congress that rejects its franchise, hindi naman ipinagbabawal iyan (that is not prohibited)," said Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate.

But if lawmakers reject its franchise application, the National Telecommunications Commission can assign ABS-CBN's frequency to another entity, he said. 

"'Pag nag-apply siya ulit ng prangkisa, either within this 18th Congress or thereafter, magsisimula siya sa una dahil kumbaga, meron kang prangkisa, wala ka naman magamit na frequency. Hahanapan ka pa ng available frequency," he told ANC. 

(If it re-applies for a franchise either within this 18th Congress or thereafter, it will start from scratch because you could have a license, yet no frequency you can use. Regulators will have to find an available frequency for you.) 

"Sa Metro Manila, sagad na ang frequency d'yan. That's why I will not be surprised na talagang may mga interesado doon sa frequency ng ABS-CBN because of its strategic importance sa economy, business, even sa pulitika," he added. 

 

(The frequency here in Metro Manila is already full. That's why I will not be surprised if there are parties interested in the ABS-CBN frequency because of its strategic importance on economy, business, even politics.) 

Over 90 members and ex-officio members of the House franchise committee will decide on the network's franchise, said Zarate, who urged House leaders to allow the plenary, or the whole chamber, to vote. 

"Some of the members of the House, mayroon din silang mga constituencies na nananawagang ibalik ang ABS-CBN (they have constituencies who are appealing for ABS-CBN's return)... Only problem is they cannot vote," he said. 

"If we are really the representatives of the people, allow the majority of the representatives of our people to say their piece in the plenary," he added. 

The NTC on May 5 shut down ABS-CBN's free television and radio services, day after its franchise expired. This is despite the commission's commitment to lawmakers in March that it would let the network operate beyond May 4 while Congress had yet to decide on its license. 

ANC, July 10, 2020 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/07/10/20/abs-cbn-can-re-apply-for-franchise-under-duterte-admin-if-house-rejects-bid-solon

House drafting group formed for verdict on ABS-CBN franchise bid

A congressional committee on Thursday wrapped up deliberations on ABS-CBN's bid to return on the air, appointing a 3-member group to draft recommendations on whether the shuttered broadcast network should be granted a new operating franchise.

The Committee on Legislative Franchises is set to decide on the fate of the largest media network in the Philippines on Friday, said Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante, who will be allowed to vote as the minority leader.

A rejection by the committee of ABS-CBN's franchise application will shut it down for good, more than 2 months after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease-and-desist order over an expired franchise.

The network had been trying to renew its original 25-year franchise since 2014, but faced several roadblocks, especially under the new administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, who had repeatedly promised to close it down.

Before the crucial House vote, a technical working group (TWG) will "study and draft recommendations" on ABS-CBN's application for a "more systematic and organized consideration" of the issues raised against it during 12 marathon hearings, said Rep. Franz Alvarez, chairman of the franchise committee.

The group will be composed of Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo of Camiguin, Rep. Pablo John Garcia of Cebu, and Rep. Stella Quimbo of Marikina City.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate earlier presented a summation of why ABS-CBN deserved a new franchise, noting how congressmen made the network "pass through the needle" in a process that was heretofore swift and non-contentious for other broadcast companies. 

Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta summarized the allegations against the network, saying: "It is high time that the sovereignty of the airwaves be restored to the people, the ones who will finally decide to whom and when to grant this special privilege called franchise."

Alvarez said voting members should decide based on the "facts and testimonies presented by all sides."

"This is a historic opportunity for the 18th Congress to make a difference and prove our independence and integrity as an institution," he said.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/09/20/house-drafting-group-formed-for-verdict-on-abs-cbn-franchise-bid

23rd Anniversary August 18 19 2007 Ang Ating Pamana Part 2 Copy

ALAMIN: Proseso ng botohan sa Kamara para sa ABS-CBN franchise | TV Patrol

Inabot nang isang dosenang pagdinig ang Kamara para busisiin ang aplikasyon ng ABS-CBN para sa panibagong prangkisa na magbibigay-daan sa pagbabalik nito sa ere. 

Sa Huwebes, nakatakda ang "summation" kung saan muling papasadahan ang lahat ng akusasyon laban sa ABS-CBN pati na rin ang sagot at depensa nila dito.

Sakaling matapos ito nang maaga, inaasahang pagbobotohan na kung bibigyan o hindi ng bagong prangkisa ang network.

Una nang sinabi ni House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano na pairalin dapat ng mga mambabatas ang "conscience vote."

Kung ito ang mananaig, tiwala si Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun na lulusot ang bagong prangkisa para sa ABS-CBN. 

"Pag talagang totoo ito, I believe that a greater majority of the members of the committee will vote to approve the franchise," ani Fortun. 

Tanging 46 na miyembro ng House legislative franchises committee ang puwedeng bumoto at 48 lider ng Kamara na ex-officio members. 

Para pumasa sa committee level, kailangan ang majority vote o higit kalahati ng boto. Kung hindi sapat ang boto, mananatiling wala sa ere ang ABS-CBN dahil sa kawalan ng prangkisa.

Pero puwedeng iapela ang desisyon sa komite.

Sakaling lumusot sa komite, pag-iisahin ang mga panukala at isasalang sa plenaryo para pagdebatihan at amyendahan.

Dito, puwedeng paikliin, pahabain o ibasura ang hiling na 25 taong prangkisa. Puwede ring magpasok ng mga bagong kondisyon.

Sakaling pumasa ang franchise sa Kamara, diretso ito sa Senado para muling busisiin.

Kung magpasa ng ibang bersyon ang Senado, isasalang ang panukala sa bicameral conference committee para muling plantsahin.

Sa huli, na kay Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte kung pipirmahan ang franchise bill. 

Kung uupuan, magiging batas ito makalipas ang 30 araw. Kung i-veto naman, puwede pa rin itong ipasa ng Kongreso sa pamamagitan ng 2/3 vote.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/08/20/alamin-proseso-ng-botohan-sa-kamara-para-sa-abs-cbn-franchise

The One Reason Why You Shouldn’t Quit

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

The next time that you feel that you don't count, please remember the time Sir Michael Costra was conducting a rehearsal of a combined orchestra and choral group.  About half-way through the rehearsal, the person playing the piccolo began thinking that amidst all the noise of drums, trumpets, violins, and so forth, that his lowly contribution didn't amount to much.  So he continued to keep the musical instrument pursed to his lips, but he stopped playing.

Moments later the conductor shouted, "Stop!  Stop!" and exclaimed, "Where's the piccolo?"  And the piccolo player thought that he made no difference.

There are lots of piccolo players!  You will find them in every church as well as in schools, service clubs, and organizations--the person who thinks, “I don’t matter.  Nobody notices what I do.  Nobody ever says ‘Thank you!’"  Like the piccolo player in Costa's orchestra, they show up for a while, going through the motions of holding their instrument, and then they finally quit!

The difference between life and the orchestra is that God doesn't shout, "Stop! Stop!  Where's the piccolo?"   And seldom does anyone take you by the shoulder, patting your hand warmly, and say, "Please don't quit!"

A powerful question which makes you a self-starting piccolo player is simply, "What's my motive?"  Am I doing this because of the kind words or compliments which come my way?  Or am I doing this because I believe that whether my part is small or great, it counts because I'm doing this as unto the glory of God!

In one of Agatha Christie's stories, there is a line which bears repeating.  Mr. Satterwaithe says, "Your cue may not come 'til the end of the play--it may be totally unimportant, a mere walking-on part, but upon it may hang the issue of the play.  If you do not give the cue to another player the whole edifice may crumple.  You, as you, may not matter to anyone in the world, but you as a person in a particular place may matter unimaginably."

So is it in life!  In the economy of God there is no such thing as greatness or trivia, for with Him the small and the great make wholeness and it takes each, endowed with the special purpose of the Creator.

This, of course, runs contrary to the logic and thinking of the world that places far greater honor on the athlete than the teacher, far greater importance on the movie star than the mother, far greater importance on the man who makes a lot of money than the faithful father who is a model dad and husband.

This is why motives must be very clear!  God has his payday, someday, and we must be willing to work and wait.  Paul addressed this issue when he wrote to the Colossians, saying, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (Colossians 3:23-24).

Friend, we must see the whole issue in a larger perspective--that of the entire orchestra and realize that no matter how large or small your part, it is important.  You must believe that, and the only way you can hold on to that truth is, at times, to tell your emotions where to get off.

For me, the ageless principles of Scripture help me to keep it in perspective.  When you are tempted to quit, listen carefully, and you will hear the still voice of God asking, "Where's the piccolo?"

Resource reading: Colossians 3:1-17

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/the-one-reason-why-you-shouldnt-quit/

ABS-CBN workers, backers ready caravan to House to press for new franchise

ABS-CBN employees and supporters will troop to the House of Representatives early on Thursday (July 9) to press lawmakers to approve a new 25-year franchise for the broadcast giant which President Rodrigo Duterte once asked to shut down.

According to the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP), the caravan would travel from ABS-CBN’s Esguerra Gate in Quezon City to the House’s Gate 1.  A program would be held around 10:30 a.m.

The caravan is one of several activities launched by ABS-CBN supporters since the network faced its biggest assault since it was shuttered by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in the early days of martial law.

The National Telecommunications Commission had issued an order for the network to cease television and radio broadcasting on free and pay TV after Solicitor General Jose Calida sought to rescind the network’s franchise through a quo warranto case filed at the Supreme Court and which had been dismissed for being moot.

No schedule had been set for House members to vote on the bill granting a new franchise to ABS-CBN, which has sat in the lower chamber of Congress for months without action. It is uncertain still if the bill would pass the committee level.

The NTC issued the cease and desist order after the network’s franchise lapsed on May 4. This came after the NTC had given Congress leaders an assurance that ABS-CBN would be allowed to continue broadcasting while the lower chamber of Congress deliberated on the new franchise.

Calida, however, warned the NTC against giving ABS-CBN a provisional authority to operate as it would be usurping Congress’ power to issue franchises.

NTC Deputy Commissioner Edgardo Cabarios had said in an interview over ABS-CBN’s radio station dzMM that the order was issued because of “questions” on the validity of ABS-CBN’s franchise, which was the subject of Calida’s petition at the Supreme Court.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1304043/abs-cbn-employees-to-troop-to-house-on-thursday-amid-pending-franchise-issue

‘ABS-CBN successfully defends franchise bid’

Television giant ABS-CBN has successfully justified its bid for franchise renewal before the House of Representatives, proponents of the franchise renewal bill said yesterday.

They are optimistic that the broadcast empire could secure a fresh franchise from Congress.

Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman and Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun expressed belief that ABS-CBN won in the hearings and sufficiently rebutted allegations should their fellow lawmakers base their votes on merit.

The House joint committee on legislative franchises and good government, and public accountability should approve the franchise renewal after nearly two months of hearings, they said.

The lawmakers’ belief contradicted an earlier report that said the TV network is facing an uphill battle as the number of House members who want to approve or reject the franchise request outnumber those who favor the reopening of ABS-CBN.

The report said only 25 lawmakers would likely vote in favor of ABS-CBN.

As this developed, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano slammed what he branded as propaganda to blackmail Congress into deciding in favor of ABS-CBN.

Cayetano said some people he did not name are spreading rumors to influence the decision of the House committee.

He appealed to both supporters and critics of ABS-CBN “to continue to advocate, but never to engage in black propaganda and fake news.”

Conscience vote

“Speaker Cayetano said he would allow a conscience vote on the ABS-CBN franchise. I hope he will deliver on that. If it’s a conscience vote, ABS-CBN wins. If it’s not, the opposite happens,” Atienza said.

Lagman agreed with Atienza and forecast an 8-0 victory for the network as he cited eight issues tackled during the hearings.

These issues included the citizenship of ABS-CBN chairman emeritus Eugenio Lopez III, issuance of Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs) of ABS-CBN Holdings to foreign nationals, reacquisition of the Lopez family after the EDSA Revolution in 1986, 50-year constitutional limit on franchises, digital migration, alleged labor malpractices, various tax issues and biased reporting.

Fortun shared Lagman’s opinion and reiterated Cayetano’s call for committee members to vote according to their conscience.

“If committee members vote according to conscience, ABS-CBN franchise should be renewed,” Fortun said.

Atienza and Fortun scored their colleagues for raising personal grudges against the network during last Monday’s hearing.

Fortun warned of repercussions on the demands of several lawmakers on the manner of news reporting by the network.

He said there’s no evidence presented during the hearing showing ABS-CBN engaged in biased reporting and election meddling as alleged by its critics.

The panel is to sum up the hearings today and set the schedule of voting on whether to approve the franchise bills or not.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Sen. Nancy Binay said public officials have no business dictating the editorial content of news organizations.

They said public officials should not be sensitive to criticisms and unfavorable reports of the media.

The senators said they themselves and their families had suffered from the negative and  erroneous news reports, but they neither meddled nor called for the shutdown of erring media organizations. Paolo Romero, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Delon Porcalla

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/07/09/2026670/abs-cbn-successfully-defends-franchise-bid

If 71 solons choose to remain undecided, ABS-CBN will win 10 in favor, 8 against

If 71 congressmen choose to remain undecided on the legislative franchise application of ABS-CBN when voting on the issue takes place on Thursday, July 9, the giant network will win 10 in favor and eight against in order to get back on the air.

This was gathered as several informed sources disclosed that lobby for or against the proposed franchise bills were reported to go on high gear on the eve of the expected voting day.

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano denied that House members and religious groups have been actively campaigning to influence the decision of voters.

“It is completely false and is an unproductive exercise in trying to manipulate the vote to favor a particular decision,” said Cayetano as he assailed the alleged black propaganda and fake news on the issues that have been circulating in the social media.

Of the 89 members of the House of Representatives who are qualified to vote on the 11 bills seeking to grant ABS-CBN another 25 year congressional franchise, only 18 may have already reached a decision on the issue.

After conducting 12 hearings, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises is scheduled to present on Thursday afternoon summations for and against the bills and may immediately vote on the bills.

There are 46 regular members of the House panel chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez.  All are qualified voters.

On the other hand, 22 deputy speakers and 21 leaders of the majority and the minority blocs, including Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, are also allowed to vote as ex officio members of the House panel.

Of the 89 qualified voters, 74 have not actively participated in the interpellation conducted on ABS-CBN executives and their lawyers.   Thus, these congresspersons will be the targets of intense lobby.

Those who did, at least 18 of them, have given away clues of their position on the issue.

Based on their line of questioning and statements during the hearing, the following will strongly back ABS-CBN’s return:  Deputy Minority Leader Carlos Zarate and Reps. Gabriel Bordado, Alfredo Garbin, Micaela Violago and Sol Aragones-Sampelo.

Authors of the pending bills are also going affirmative.  They are: Deputy Speakers Loren Legarda, Aurelio Gonzales, Rosemarie Arenas, Johnny Ty-Pimentel and Vilma Santos-Recto.

As shown by their demeanor during the hearings, fierce critics who are expected to thumb down the franchise measures are: Deputy Speakers Rodante Marcoleta and Dan Fernandez; Deputy Majority Leader Crispin Remulla and Reps. Claudine Bautista and Abraham Tolentino, committee vice chairman.

Minority Leader and Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante had raised moral issues on various ABS-CBN telenovelas, thus, may reject the franchise extension proposal. 

Although he did not participate in the hearings jointly conducted by the House Committee on Good Government and on Legislative Franchises, Deputy Speaker and Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte authored a resolution calling for a good government probe against ABS-CBN’s alleged violations of provisions of its previous legislative franchise.

Cayetano, on the other hand, also harbored a grudge against the network that had smarted accusations of political bias.  

“We have heard the Speaker talk about the issue on the alleged media bias and political meddling by ABS-CBN many times and how it happened during the 2016 elections especially because he was the running mate of President Duterte,” said Bulacan Rep. Jose Antonio Sy Alvarado, chairman of the good government panel.  

https://mb.com.ph/2020/07/08/if-71-solons-choose-to-remain-undecided-abs-cbn-will-win-10-in-favor-8-against/

It's 8-0 sweep in favor of ABS-CBN based on issues raised in franchise hearing: Lagman

Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman said on Wednesday ABS-CBN "rightly" deserves a new broadcast franchise, saying it passed every issue hurled against it.

"My scorecard shows an 8-0 sweep of the major issues in favor of ABS-CBN Corporation’s franchise renewal," the lawmaker said in a statement after the "lengthy and grueling hearings" conducted jointly by two committees of the lower House.

"Verily, based on the merits, ABS-CBN Corporation rightly deserves a renewal of its franchise. Its ordeal must be ended and its franchise renewed," he said, based on 8 issues he listed. 

First, ABS-CBN chairman emeritus Eugenio "Gabby" Lopez III is qualified to own and manage a media company in the country because "he is a natural-born Filipino citizen, although he has dual citizenship as an American by accident of his place of birth," according to the lawmaker.

The media conglomerate also did not violate regulations when it issued Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs) since its holders do not have voting and management rights, he said.

"The constitutional requirement of 100% Filipino capitalization and ownership of mass media is not violated by such PDRs," Lagman said.

Third, corporations that have been operating for more than 50 years are not disqualified from being granted a renewal or a new franchise, he said.

"The 50-year limitation in the Constitution for a legislative franchise only means that there must be a cap of not more than 50 years for each franchise that the Congress can issue at a time," he explained.

On the reacquisition by the Lopez family of the network in 1986 after the fall of the Marcos regime, Lagman said it was "authorized by legal issuances from the Office of the President, the Presidential Commission on Good Government, and the Supreme Court."

The broadcaster has no current tax delinquency and has complied with labor standards, Lagman said.

"The more important labor issue is the displacement of more than 11,000 employees and workers of ABS-CBN and its affiliates consequent to the non-renewal of its franchise," he said. 

On the 7th issue pertaining to ABS-CBN's launch of its digital TV box with multi-channel capability as well as its pay-per-view service, Lagman said this is "consistent with government’s mandate for digital migration" and does not violate its expired franchise or any law. 

Finally, Lagman said the network's alleged "biased reporting" and "meddling in politics" are "non-issues because critical commentary, reasonable preference, and even incidental bias of TV and radio networks are fully protected by the expansive veil of freedom of the press and free speech."

"Furthermore, the Fair Election Act does not enforce a policy of neutrality on media outlets and neither does it prohibit them from advocating preferences as long as rival parties and candidates are afforded equal time, space, and the opportunity to reply," he added.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) shut down on May 5 the network's free TV and radio operations, a day after its previous franchise expired. 

The NTC had committed in March to give ABS-CBN a provisional authority to operate once its franchise lapses while Congress tackles several bills seeking to grant the network a fresh 25-year franchise.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/08/20/its-8-0-sweep-in-favor-of-abs-cbn-based-on-issues-raised-in-franchise-hearing-lagman

Cayetano: No intimidation ahead of ABS-CBN franchise vote

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday denied reports that certain groups are "threatening and intimidating" lawmakers before they vote on whether to approve or reject ABS-CBN's bid for a fresh 25-year franchise.

"Rumors of threats and intimidation coming from certain groups, even linking it with specific religious organizations, and congressional leaders are completely false and is an unproductive exercise in trying to manipulate the vote to favor a particular decision," Cayetano said in a statement. 

Cayetano issued the denial after news website Politiko in an article claimed some lawmakers, along with some religious groups, are lobbying to keep ABS-CBN off the air with the rejection of a new broadcast franchise.

The Manila Times, meanwhile, published a story on how members of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Legislative Franchises are expected to vote on the ABS-CBN franchise bill. 

"Ironically, it is these clumsy attempts at mind conditioning that clearly pose a threat to the fairness and impartiality of the committee. By trying to poison the well of public opinion, those spreading this propaganda are trying to blackmail Congress into acceding to their demands," the House Speaker said. 

ABS-CBN officials appeared 12 times before the House legislative franchises and good government committees starting in May to appeal for a renewal of the network’s 25-year franchise and answer allegations of franchise violations. 

Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, chair of the House franchise panel, said the two committees would reconvene on Thursday to listen to the summations of Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta. 

Cayetano on Monday appealed to his colleagues to vote on ABS-CBN's franchise bid according to their "conscience."

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on May 5 shut down ABS-CBN's free television and radio services despite its earlier commitment to let the network stay on the air while lawmakers deliberated on its license renewal.

Last week, the NTC also closed down ABS-CBN's digital broadcast, following the advice of Solicitor General Jose Calida, who in February sought to nullify the franchise of the network due to alleged abuses.

The shutdown "has deprived more than 69 million Filipinos of the kind of information, analysis and commentary, and public service provided by ABS-CBN News," including migrant workers, and those without internet connection and are reached solely by the network's signal, Integrated News chief Ma. Regina Reyes told lawmakers.

The ABS-CBN shutdown imperils the employment of some 11,000 workers, with the network considering retrenchments by August amid heavy losses. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/08/20/cayetano-no-intimidation-ahead-of-abs-cbn-franchise-vote

No sched yet for voting on ABS-CBN franchise — House panel chair

No schedule has been set yet for voting on whether or not ABS-CBN’s bid for a 25-year franchise will pass the committee level in the House of Representatives, a House leader said Wednesday.

Palawan 1st District Rep. Franz Alvarez, the chairperson of the House committee on legislative franchise, said arguments on various issues hounding ABS-CBN’s franchise bid still have to be summarized before lawmakers could vote on whether the network’s application will be brought to the plenary floor for more debates.

The House’s legislative franchise committee is handling hearings on ABS-CBN’s franchise together with the committee on good government and public accountability

“Summation pa lang, wala pa voting (We will still summarize the arguments, we have no schedule yet for the voting),” Alvarez told INQUIRER.net in a text message when asked regarding the possible schedule for the voting.

The joint committees have so far held 12 hearings related to ABS-CBN’s bid for a franchise where various issues such as the citizenship of the network’s chair emeritus Gabby Lopez, the Lopez family’s reclamation of the network after the EDSA Revolution, the alleged labor violations of the network, tax-related issues, and the network’s alleged political bias, among others, were discussed.

While the hearings were jointly conducted by the two House panels, only the 46 members of the legislative franchise committee, as well as the 44 House officials who are considered ex officio members, will be able to vote.

If the lawmakers’ votes will be for the franchise renewal, ABS-CBN’s application will be up for discussion in the plenary.

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has urged lawmakers to vote on conscience on ABS-CBN’s franchise, saying that those who are for the renewal of the network’s franchise should “open their minds” to the side of the opposition and vice versa.

“From the start, we’ve been urging a conscience vote,” Cayetano said in an interview.

“That’s why we made the hearings public so that the people can decide for themselves. So, this is one of the rare cases where representatives will decide for the people,” the House Speaker added.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1303650/no-sched-yet-for-voting-on-abs-cbn-franchise-house-panel-chair

ABS-CBN doomed

Majority of lawmakers buck grant of new franchise

Shuttered media giant ABS-CBN Corp. faces an uphill battle in its bid to secure a new franchise, as majority of lawmakers at the House of Representatives seemed reluctant to allow the network to reopen.

Based on documents obtained by The Manila Times, lawmakers who were likely to reject the grant of a franchise outnumbered those who supported the network.

An initial tally of votes showed that 25 lawmakers were likely to vote in favor of the network, 57 were likely to oppose a new franchise, while 10 were unsure.

The Joint Committee on Legislative Franchises and on Good Government and Public Accountability concluded hearings on the alleged violations of ABS-CBN on Monday. There had been 12 hearings that extensively tackled the network’s alleged violations of its franchise, the Constitution, labor and tax laws, and biased reporting and meddling in politics.

Voting on the grant of a new franchise will be held after the summation of the hearings on Thursday. Legislative Franchises Committee Chairman Franz Alvarez, however, said they had yet to schedule a date for voting.

Aside from the 46 members of the Committee on Legislative Franchises, 46 House leaders or ex-officio members will also vote for the first reading at the committee level. If approved, the bill granting a new franchise will be presented to the plenary for deliberations and voting for the second and third reading. If rejected, the franchise bills will no longer reach the plenary level.

On Monday, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano urged lawmakers to cast a “conscience vote.”

“I cannot speak for the parties, kasi mag-uusap-usap din sila (because they will discuss among themselves). But from the start, we’ve been urging a conscience vote,” Cayetano told reporters.

Cayetano decided not to testify in the hearing on the alleged biased-reporting of ABS-CBN so as not to “sway” the other lawmakers. He said he would submit a written position to the committee on his view that the network had been biased in the coverage and placement of advertisements during the 2016 elections when he ran for vice president as the running mate of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“So, it’s really important for me that at the end of the day, the Filipino knows what the decision is, why Congress decided that way. So, hopefully, these 12 hearings somehow shed light on the many, many innuendos and issues na nababasa naman natin sa (that we’ve been reading on) social media at napapakinggan natin, napapanood, at nababasa sa (and what we hear, watch and read in) traditional media,” he said.

Lost support

On Monday, Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo withdrew his authorship of House Bill 6901, one of the 13 bills seeking to grant a franchise to ABS-CBN, saying the network failed to disprove the allegations hurled against it.

Salo said his party-list is “convinced that the pieces of evidence presented, discussed and distilled in the hearings favor the oppositors.”

“My party-list group deems that ABS-CBN failed to successfully rebut the long list of alleged violations. And thus, this representation cannot anymore support the grant of a new franchise to ABS-CBN,” he said.

Salo also appealed to the ABS-CBN management to help its employees who might lose their jobs during the pandemic.

“My heart grieves for the ABS-CBN employees who face possible displacement, particularly at this time of the pandemic. As an act of redemption for its employees, I hope that ABS-CBN will be generous enough to attend to its employees’ needs in these difficult times as it may be its last act of magnanimity to the people it has considered its family,” he said.

“In any case, I am also certain that this will just be a temporary setback to the majority of its employees as other networks and stations will readily accept a workforce that comes with proven talents and expertise,” Salo added.

Anakalusugan party-list Michael Defensor believed that the issues had been discussed thoroughly and that there had been violations.

“I think overall the [joint-]committees were able to discuss thoroughly the issues lined up for interpellation,” Defensor told The Manila Times.

“I would like to separate the issues into two categories. One is constitutional and the others are violations of laws on labor, taxation, among others. I have asked the hard questions and exposed the anomalies. There were violations and the question is, [are these] enough not to qualify them for a franchise? I will state my vote in the near future,” Defensor added.

Meanwhile, for Agusan del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun, there had been no violations on the side of ABS-CBN as sufficiently stated by concerned government agencies on the issues of citizenship, Philippine Depositary Receipts, tax, labor practices and reportage.

Fortun said there were reforms that need to be instituted in the industry but these must be addressed through legislation in Congress, commitment of media organizations to make reforms within their companies, and the vigilance of the people. But he stressed “shutting down a mass media corporation is certainly not the right thing to do.”

He appealed to the members of the committee to heed the call of Cayetano for a conscience vote.

“This is most welcome and we appeal to the members of the committee to seek divine guidance and consult their conscience whether or not denying the franchise of ABS-CBN, depriving millions of our Filipinos, of our people access to information and entertainment and causing massive unemployment in the middle of a pandemic are consistent with prudent judgment, justice and equity,” Fortun said during the hearing on Monday.

The Kabataan party-list also believe that ABS-CBN has complied with the provisions and requirements of its previous franchise and deserves new franchise “that will enable it to continue its broadcasting service to 19 million Filipino households out of 21 million nationwide and over 3 million Filipinos overseas, especially in this time of a pandemic where news and information dissemination, even entertainment, is as critical as a need.”

“The fault-finding against ABS-CBN has gone too far, leaving more jobs lost and millions of Filipinos without access to news and entertainment. Amid the pandemic when firms are closing and downsizing with millions of displaced workers, and unemployment is at an all-time high, the government must focus instead on supporting local enterprises and preserving jobs,” Kabataan party-list Rep. Sarah Elago said.

Neutral

As lawmakers prepare to vote on the fate of the giant network, Malacañang said President Rodrigo Duterte remains “neutral.”

“Ang Presidente naman po sinabi niya (The President has always said), the members of Congress can vote according to their conscience dahil siya po ay neutral (because he is neutral on the matter),” Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said.

He issued the statement after the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) urged the President to support ABS-CBN.

The PCEC on Monday said it was “praying for compassion and entreating” lawmakers to “decide virtuously for the good of our country and the suffering families affected by the issue.”

“We also appeal to our President Rodrigo Duterte to give his crucial support for the renewal of the franchise, and may there soon be an opportunity for President Duterte and the leadership of ABS-CBN to engage in reconciliatory talks,” PCEC National Director Bishop Noel Pantoja said in a statement.

The National Telecommunications Commission shut down the operations of ABS-CBN in May after its franchise expired.

With Catherine Valente

https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/07/08/news/headlines/abs-cbn-doomed/739219/

Philippine legislative districts starting 2022

Palace calls for conscience vote on ABS-CBN franchise as hearings wrap up

Members of Congress should vote on the ABS-CBN franchise issue according to their conscience, Malacañang said Tuesday as lawmakers wrap up this week their hearings on bills seeking to grant the broadcasting network a fresh 25-year license to operate.

President Rodrigo Duterte remains "neutral" on the company's bid for a new franchise, his spokesman Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing.

"Humingi na po ng tawad sa kanya, pinatawad na niya," Roque said, referring to the apology offered by ABS-CBN President Carlo Katigbak in February over an aired negative political advertisement in 2016 that offended Duterte.

(They asked for forgiveness and he has forgiven the company.)

"Neutral po siya (Duterte). Vote according to your conscience," added Roque.

While he accepted the apology, Duterte had said he is leaving the fate of ABS-CBN's franchise to Congress.

The President had previously threatened to block ABS-CBN's bid for a new franchise.

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday said he too was seeking a "conscience vote" among his colleagues.

ABS-CBN has been off the air for more than two months already since the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on May 5 shut down its free television and radio services.

The NTC committed in March to lawmakers that it will let the network stay on air while Congress deliberates on ABS-CBN's new franchise application.

Last week, the NTC also closed down ABS-CBN's digital broadcast in Metro Manila and its sister company's SKYDirect services, following the advice of Solicitor General Jose Calida, who in February sought to nullify the network's franchise due to alleged abuses.

The Supreme Court has junked Calida's petition, saying the issue has become "moot and academic" as ABS-CBN's previous franchise expired May 4.

news.abs-cbn.com is the official news website of ABS-CBN Corp.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/07/07/20/palace-calls-for-conscience-vote-on-abs-cbn-franchise-as-hearings-wrap-up

Fate of ABS-CBN franchise known on Thursday as House hearings end

The congressional inquiry into the ABS-CBN legislative franchise drew to a close near midnight on Monday with the House Committee on Legislative Franchise expected to vote on the network’s franchise application on Thursday.

The closing minutes of the hearings conducted in 12 days, with each day of proceedings lasting for an average of six hours, left a pessimistic note for the giant network that closed operations after its 25-year franchise expired on May 4.

Kabayan Partylist Rep. Ron Salo, one of the principal authors of a bill proposing to grant ABS-CBN another 25 year franchise authority, withdrew authorship of the measure, filed as House Bill 6901.

“My partylist group deems that ABS-CBN failed to successfully rebut the long list of alleged violations, and thus, this representation cannot anymore support the grant of a new franchise,” said Salo, head of the House contingent to the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal.

Before Salo dropped out as Kapamilya network supporter, ABS-CBN, together with its backers, Reps. Sol Aragones (NPC, Laguna); Carlos Zarate (Bayan Muna); Rufus Rodriguez (Independent, Cagayan de Oro City) and Lito Atienza (Buhay Partylist), belied accusations of unfair reporting of its news department and political bias.

ABS-CBN News head Ging Reyes argued strongly against the accusations, assuring the lawmakers that  ABS-CBN journalists have strict instructions “to keep biases in check and to report on newsworthy events, persons, and issues in an accurate, fair, and balanced manner.”

“Rest assured po na iisa po ang ating layunin na mapangalagaan ang moral at spiritual values ng pamilyang Pilipino (Rest assured our only goal is to maintain the moral and spiritual values of the Filipino family) ” ABS-CBN chief operating officer of broadcast Cory Vidanes told lawmakers.

“We tell po stories that teach life lessons and our stories po embody Filipino values, like hard work, honesty, respect, resilience, and most of all love for family, country, and God, dahil ang sentro ng aming mga kwento ay ang pamilyang Pilipino (… because the center of our story is the Filipino family),” Vidanes added.

ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak denied that the network entertained political bias during election campaign periods, stressing that the network observes the “first come, first served” policy in the placement of campaign advertisements over its broadcast outlets.

He said that President Rodrigo Duterte was not the only presidential candidate in the 2016 campaign whose political advertisement was unaired.

According to Katigbak, Duterte’s rivals, former Secretary Mar Roxas and the late Sen. Miriam Defensor suffered the same experience.

Moral issues and objectivity in reporting were the last of the many issues raised against the network that were taken up by the joint congressional proceedings.

While the legislative franchise panel chaired by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez will be voting on the 11 pending legislative franchise bills, the House Committee on Good Government will continue its inquiry into various controversies that surfaced during the hearings against ABS-CBN and other broadcast networks granted legislative franchises.

Alvarez said summations of both sides of the franchise issue will be presented on Thursday.

Salo joined Deputy Speaker and Sagip Parytlist Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin; Reps. Bambol Tolentino (PDP-Laban, Tagaytay City) and Crispin Remulla (NP, Cavite) in airing personal experiences of alleged lack of objectivity of ABS-CBN reports.

Salo chided a senior ABS-CBN journalist for reporting accusations that the solon had proposed regulations that “were seen as the government’s way to control the shuttered news network repeatedly criticized by President Rodrigo Duterte.”

Garin cried foul over the manner by which ABS-CBN handled the Dengvaxia controversy in 2015-2017.

The lady solon also accused the network of resorting to splicing a television news report of a supposed interview she had with an ABS-CBN reporter.  She pointed out that it was impossible for her to be interviewed because she was caring for her ailing father during that time.

Tolentino recounted the bad publicity he and his brother, Sen. Francis Tolentino, received from the network when they were running for different elective posts in 2013 and 2016.

“Mahirap lumaban kung ang kalaban mo ay taga-ABS-CBN, (Its difficult to fight if your foe is from ABS-CBN),” said Tolentino, as he lamented that the negative reports were also aired in the United States and Canada where they have friends and relatives.

The administration lawmaker said he is open to criticisms so long as he can air his side.

“Araw-araw ka binabanatan ng below the belt,” Tolentino said, recalling his experience with the network.

In a recent encounter with a network journalist, Marcoleta said he was wrongly reported to be a principal author of  at least five legislative franchise measures. 

The House official stressed that he never wrote any franchise bill.  He showed a House certification to back his claim.

Remulla, whose brother was former ABS-CBN anchor Gilbert Remulla, assailed the alleged smear drive launched against him apparently for taking a hardline stance against the network.

Notwithstanding the complaints aired by their colleagues, Atienza and Rodriguez pointed out that there are no complaints of any wrongdoing against the network as testified by officials of the Commission on Elections, Kapisanan ng Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, and the National Telecommunications Commission.

https://mb.com.ph/2020/07/07/fate-of-abs-cbn-franchise-known-on-thursday-as-house-hearings-end/

No COMELEC update on holding of plebiscite to create 3 Palawan provinces

COMELEC Palawan representative Jomel Ordas said that they are waiting for a memorandum stating how voter-related concerns relating to the plebiscite, which has been postponed since early April, will proceed.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in Palawan has yet to receive any updates on the holding of the plebiscite to create three new provinces considering the extended suspension of the voter registration period.

COMELEC Palawan representative Jomel Ordas said that they are waiting for a memorandum stating how voter-related concerns relating to the plebiscite, which has been postponed since early April, will proceed.

“Kasi sa ngayon, existing pa rin ‘yong postponement ng plebiscite as per Memorandum COVID19-6 of COMELEC Secretary dated April 7, 2020. Kaya antay pa rin kami ng bagong memo or directive from COMELEC main, ano ang susunod na gagawin in connection with the plebiscite,” Ordas said in an interview July 3.

Ordas declined to answer further questions and instead suggested to contact the main COMELEC office.

Nationwide voter registration has been postponed until August 31 due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, according to an advisory by the COMELEC dated June 30.

The plebiscite, which seeks to validate Republic Act 11259 signed in April 2019 by President Rodrigo Duterte, will finalize the division of Palawan into three provinces. It has long been endorsed by the current provincial government, with Governor Jose Ch. Alvarez as the main proponent.

Alvarez recently stated that the plebiscite is to be held sometime in July. However, provincial information officer Winston Arzaga believes that it may be held in August due to the ongoing pandemic.

“Wala pang ibinababa na memorandum ang COMELEC pero sa tingin ko talaga ay ngayong taon or this August, ‘yan ay sariling pananaw ko. Matutuloy ‘yan kasi may batas ‘yan, nagkataon lang may pandemic kaya hindi nagawa,” Arzaga said June 2.

with reports from Genn Magdayao

https://palawan-news.com/no-comelec-update-on-holding-of-plebiscite-to-create-3-palawan-provinces

Kontrata ng mga artista ng ABS-CBN, suspendido na!

Suspended na pala ang network / project contract ngayon ng lahat ng Kapamilya stars dahil sa krisis na pinagdaraanan ng ABS-CBN kaugnay sa franchise renewal ayon sa isang reliable source.

Pero until end of August pa raw ang suweldo ng lahat ng artists and employees ng network.

So by this time, nagde-decide na raw ang management kung paano magtatanggal ng mga empleyado – puwedeng retrenchment, MRP (manpower reduction program), no work no pay or shutdown, chika pa ng source.

So may chance kayang ibenta na lang ang network tanong ko sa kausap ko?

Never daw. As in mas pipiliin na lang diumano ng mga may-ari na isara ito nang tuluyan.

Ngayon daw ay pinapayagan nang tumanggap ng trabaho outside the network ang mga artista ng Channel 2 pero ang Star Magic (talent arm group) pa rin ang manager. Puwede rin naman daw silang magpa-release ng contract or lumipat sa GMA 7 basta magpapaalam lang sila (talents o artista).

Nauna na diumanong nagpa-release sa network si Pokwang.

Anyway, hindi na nga napapanood ng mga may TV Plus set-top boxes sa Metro Manila ang Teleradyo, Jeepney TV, Yey!, Asianovela Channel, CineMo, at KBO. Ito ay matapos ngang maglabas ng cease and desist order (CDO) ang National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) na pinapatigil ang digital TV transmission ng ABS-CBN sa Metro Manila gamit ang Channel 43.

Hindi raw kasi nakasaad ang Channel 43 sa CDO ng NTC noong Mayo 5, 2020, at sa pagkakaintindi diumano ng ABS-CBN ay hindi sakop ng CDO ang Channel 43 pero hininto na ang digital TV transmission sa Metro Manila sa Channel 43 noong isang gabi (Hunyo 30), bilang pagsunod nila sa alias CDO.

Kasama ang Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), Professional Artists Managers, Inc. (PAMI) at ang labor center na Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (Sentro) na isipin ang kabuhayan ng mga apektadong manggagawa at bigyan ng panibagong prangkisa ang ABS-CBN sa naganap na pagdinig sa Kamara noong Martes (Hunyo 30).

Ibinahagi naman ni Cory Vidanes, ang COO for broadcast ng kompanya, kung paano sumusuporta ang mga manggagawa nito para sa laban tungo sa bagong prangkisa sa kabila ng kanilang takot na mawalan ng trabaho.

Iminungkahi nga pala ng Sentro na maglagay ng pro-worker provisions sa bagong prangkisa ng ABS-CBN kung mare-renew ito at ibinahagi nito na hindi makatao ang kasalukuyang pangamba ng mga manggagawa nito na mawalan ng trabaho.

Tuluyan na kayang magsasara ang ABS-CBN o palulusutin sila ng Kongreso?

Malungkot ang bulung-bulungan pero sana ay, chismis lang at hindi totoo.

https://www.philstar.com/pilipino-star-ngayon/showbiz/2020/07/02/2025135/kontrata-ng-mga-artista-ng-abs-cbn-suspendido-na

SM Mall of Asia Redevelopment

Music Hall as well as majority of the North and South Entertainment Mall is being cordoned off. Noticeably enough, they are making Entertainment Mall fully air-conditioned and re-tiling the entire area.

MOA Carousel is being constructed in the Main Mall (near Kultura and Toy Kingdom)

Maja with JC De Vera, Enchong Dee and Rayver Cruz

VOTIII watermark short footage fanmade

3 Network's New Schedule starting 2013

New Sked in 2020

ABS-CBN 2

Monday-Friday

3:55 am - Kape't Pandasal
4 am - Gising Pilipinas!
5 am - Garantisadong Balita
5:30 am - Umagang Kay Ganda
6 am - Local morning shows
Bagong Morning Kapamilya (ABS-CBN TV-3 Baguio, ABS-CBN TV-7 Laoag, ABS-CBN TV-11/34 Vigan, ABS-CBN TV-3 Tuguegarao & ABS-CBN Isabela)
Bagong Umaga, Bagong Balita (ABS-CBN TV-32 Dagupan, ABS-CBN TV-32 Cabanatuan, ABS-CBN TV-34 Tarlac, ABS-CBN TV-46 Pampanga, ABS-CBN TV-34 Bulacan, ABS-CBN TV-10 Batangas, ABS-CBN TV-24 Lucena, ABS-CBN TV-11 Mindoro, ABS-CBN TV-46 San Pablo & ABS-CBN TV-7 Palawan)
Marhay na Aga Kapamilya (ABS-CBN TV-11 Naga, ABS-CBN TV-4 Legazpi & ABS-CBN TV-23 Daet)
Panay Sikat (ABS-CBN TV-10 Iloilo, ABS-CBN TV-21 Roxas & ABS-CBN TV-9 Kalibo)
The Morning Show (ABS-CBN TV-4 Bacolod)
Maayong Buntag Kapamilya (ABS-CBN TV-3 Cebu & ABS-CBN TV-12 Dumaguete)
Maupay nga Aga Kapamilya (ABS-CBN TV-2 Tacloban)
Pamahaw Espesyal (ABS-CBN TV-4 Cagayan de Oro, ABS-CBN TV-4 Iligan, ABS-CBN TV-42 Dipolog & ABS-CBN TV-11 Butuan)
Maayong Buntag Mindanao (ABS-CBN TV-4 Davao)
Buenas Dias Zamboanga (ABS-CBN TV-3 Zamboanga)
Magandang Umaga South Central Mindanao (ABS-CBN TV-3 General Santos, ABS-CBN TV-24 Koronadal & ABS-CBN TV-5 Cotabato)
7:30 am - Gym Team
8 am - Magandang Buhay (Live)
9 am -
Monday and Wednesday: Hirayamanawari
Tuesday and Thursday: Epol/Apple
Friday: Bayani
9:30 am - Sineskwela
10 am - A.T.B.P. (Awit, Titik at Bilang na Pambata)
10:30 am - Mathdali
11 am - Today with Kris Aquino
12 nn - Magandang Tanghali, Bayan!
1:30 pm - Love Thy Woman
2 pm - The General's Daughter
2:30 pm - Ang sa Iyo ay Akin
3 pm - SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon
4 pm - Shoutout!
5 pm - Failon Ngayon / ABS-CBN Regional Newscasts
TV Patrol Northern Luzon (ABS-CBN TV-3 Baguio/ABS-CBN Northern Luzon)
TV Patrol Ilocos (ABS-CBN TV-7 Laoag & ABS-CBN TV-11/34 Vigan/ABS-CBN Ilocos)
TV Patrol North Central Luzon (ABS-CBN TV-32 Dagupan, ABS-CBN TV-34 Tarlac, ABS-CBN TV-32 Cabanatuan & ABS-CBN TV-12 Olongapo/ABS-CBN North Central Luzon)
TV Patrol Cagayan Valley (ABS-CBN TV-2 Isabela & ABS-CBN TV-3 Tuguegarao/ABS-CBN Cagayan Valley)
TV Patrol Central Luzon (ABS-CBN TV-46 Pampanga & ABS-CBN DTV-34 Bulacan/ABS-CBN Central Luzon)
TV Patrol Southern Tagalog (ABS-CBN TV-10 Batangas, ABS-CBN TV24 Lucena, ABS-CBN TV-11 Mindoro & ABS-CBN TV-46 San Pablo/ABS-CBN Southern Tagalog)
TV Patrol Palawan (ABS-CBN TV-7 Puerto Princesa/ABS-CBN Palawan)
TV Patrol Bicol (ABS-CBN TV-11 Naga, ABS-CBN TV-4 Legazpi & ABS-CBN TV-23 Daet/ABS-CBN Bicol)
TV Patrol Aklanon (ABS-CBN TV-9 Kalibo/ABS-CBN Aklanon)
TV Patrol Panay (ABS-CBN TV-10 Iloilo & ABS-CBN TV-21 Roxas/ABS-CBN Panay)
TV Patrol Negros (ABS-CBN TV-4 Bacolod/ABS-CBN Negros)
TV Patrol Central Visayas (ABS-CBN TV-3 Cebu & ABS-CBN TV-12 Dumaguete/ABS-CBN Central Visayas)
TV Patrol Eastern Visayas (ABS-CBN TV-2 Tacloban/ABS-CBN Eastern Visayas)
TV Patrol Chavacano (ABS-CBN TV-3 Zamboanga/ABS-CBN Chavacano)
TV Patrol Western Mindanao (ABS-CBN TV-42 Dipolog/ABS-CBN Western Mindanao)
TV Patrol Northern Mindanao (ABS-CBN TV-4 Cagayan de Oro & ABS-CBN TV-4 Iligan/ABS-CBN Northern Mindanao)
TV Patrol Southern Mindanao (ABS-CBN TV-4 Davao/ABS-CBN Southern Mindanao)
TV Patrol Socsksargen (ABS-CBN TV-3 General Santos & ABS-CBN TV-24 Koronadal/ABS-CBN Socsksargen)
TV Patrol Caraga (ABS-CBN TV-11 Butuan/ABS-CBN TV-11 Butuan)
TV Patrol Central Mindanao (ABS-CBN TV-5 Cotabato/ABS-CBN Central Mindanao)
5:30 pm - Rated K: Handa Na Ba Kayo? (Live)
6 pm - Pamilya Ko
6:30 pm - TV Patrol
7:30 pm - Ang Probinsyano
8 pm - Make It With You
8:30 pm - A Soldier's Heart
9 pm - The World of the Married
9:30 pm - Pilipinas, Game Ka Na Ba?
10:30 pm -
Monday: OK Fine, 'To Ang Gusto Nyo!
Tuesday: Bida si Mister, Bida si Misis
Wednesday: Whattamen
Thursday: Attagirl
Friday: Banana Split
11:30 pm -
Monday: Kabalikat: Loren Legarda
Tuesday: Bora
Wednesday: Yes, Yes Show
Thursday: Maalaala Mo Kaya?
Friday: Call Me Tita
12:30 am - The World Tonight
1 am -
Monday: XXX: Exklusibong, Explosibong, Exposé
Tuesday: Patrol ng Pilipino
Wednesday: Ako ang Simula
Thursday: Krusada
Friday: S.O.C.O.: Scene of the Crime Operatives

2 to 3 am on Tuesday, 2 am to 3:55 am on Wednesday to Friday and 2 am to 5 am on Saturday - O Shopping

Saturday

5 am - Kape at Salita
6 am - Salamat Dok
7 am - Family Rosary Crusade
8 am - Ang Iglesia ni Cristo
8:30 am - Dok Ricky, Pedia
9 am - Sarap TV (temporary: Makuha Ka sa Tikim)
9:30 am - Kulilits
10 am - Coke Studio
10:30 am - At Home Ka Dito
11:30 am - Perfect Moments (temporary: Pamilyong Papremyo Sa Pamilya)
12 nn - Magandang Tanghali, Bayan!
2:30 pm - Entertainment Live!
4 pm - STAR Magic Presents
5 pm - Gokada Let's Go!
5:30 pm - Knowledge Power
6 pm - Magandang Gabi, Bayan
7 pm - Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan
8 pm - Home Sweetie Home
9 pm - The Voice Teens (season 2) (temporary: Celebrity Duets: Philippine Edition / Kakasa Ka Ba sa Grade 5? / Idol Philippines / The Kids' Choice / Little Big Shots / Pilipinas Got Talent / Pinoy Boyband Superstar / Search for the Star in a Million / Star Power: Sharon's Search for the Next Female Pop Superstar / The Voice of the Philippines / The Voice Kids / The X Factor Philippines / U Can Dance / World of Dance Philippines / Your Face Sounds Familiar / Your Face Sounds Familiar: Kids / Your Moment)
10 pm - Arriba, Arriba!
11 pm - I Can See Your Voice (season 2)
12 am - Keep on Dancing
1 am - The Bottomline with Boy Abunda
2 am - F (every 2nd Saturday of the month: Loren)
2:30 am - Sports Unlimited
3 am - O Shopping

Sunday

5:30 am - Pluma
6 am - Salamat Dok
7 am - Sunday TV Mass: The Healing Eucharist (Live) / Local religious programs
Christ The Healer: Sunday TV Mass (ABS-CBN Central Visayas)
The Banquet of Love: Sunday TV Mass (ABS-CBN Southern Mindanao)
8 am - Cinema, Cinema, Cinema
8:30 am - Bakbakan
9 am - For Kids Only
9:30 am - Matanglawin
10 am - Gaby's Xtraordinary Files
10:30 am - G Diaries
11 am - StarStudio presents
12 nn - A.S.A.P.
2 pm - Your Song presents
3 pm - Love Spell presents
4 pm - The Buzz
5:30 pm - Sharon
7 pm - Iba 'Yan
8 pm - Wansapanataym
9 pm - The Voice Teens (season 2) (temporary: Celebrity Duets: Philippine Edition / Kakasa Ka Ba sa Grade 5? / Idol Philippines / The Kids' Choice / Little Big Shots / Pilipinas Got Talent / Pinoy Boyband Superstar / Search for the Star in a Million / Star Power: Sharon's Search for the Next Female Pop Superstar / The Voice of the Philippines / The Voice Kids / The X Factor Philippines / U Can Dance / World of Dance Philippines / Your Face Sounds Familiar / Your Face Sounds Familiar: Kids / Your Moment)
10 pm - Ang Tanging Ina
11 pm - Sunday’s Best
1 am - Business and Leisure
2 am - Urban Zone
2:30 to 3:55 am - O Shopping

An Offer of Grace In Times Of Crisis

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16 NLT

When stress erupts and disruption turns life upside down, each of us handles the storm differently. Mental health advocate, Kay Warren, points out that, in a crisis, we all might be battling the same storm, but not everyone has the same emotional resources with which to weather it.  If a storm of tumultuous times hits when you are in a relatively healthy place emotionally and financially, you might be able to make it through like someone aboard a stable yacht.  Others may find themselves rowing mightily in a leaky rowboat or worse, down in the waves, desperately clinging to only a log.

Problems really show up, though when you are stuck in that leaky rowboat along with the most important people in your life—your mate, your kids and maybe even extended family.  When you’re stuck in a difficult situation, with no break in the storm on the horizon, you know what happens, right?  Our less-than-best sides of our personalities suddenly show up.  Others accuse you of “being in a bad mood,” being “grumpy, grouchy, irritable.”  You, on the other hand, begin to notice the incredibly annoying way your mate chews, or breathes or blinks, for that matter.  And when did your kids become world champions at whining and fighting with each other over everything?

What is happening, in official terms, according to Dr. Bruce Perry, an expert on the effect of adverse experiences on people, is that stress shifts our regulatory capacities.  It moves us away from our usual ability to regulate our feelings and be resilient to the ups and downs of life.   “There is an escalation of dysregulated behaviors, especially in kids,” Dr. Perry explains.[1]

The phenomenon is nothing new.  When Jesus and his disciples were on their final trip to Jerusalem, things seemed tense.  “The disciples were filled with awe,” Mark 10 says, “and the people following behind were overwhelmed with fear.  Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus explained what the situation was to be: ‘Listen, he said, ‘we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed…They will sentence him to die and…Hand him over to the Romans.  They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip and kill him, but after three days he will rise again.”

Not unlike two kids, James and John then blurt out, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.” (Mark 10:32).  Can you imagine how that went over with the other disciples, right after Jesus revealed the details of his death?  Yes, that “dysregulated behavior” often is demonstrated by what comes out of our mouths!

James and John needed grace extended to them and so do we.  The good news is this: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews tells us. (Hebrews 4:15-16) “Because we have a great High Priest the throne of God is a throne of grace.” John Piper explains, “And the help we get at that throne is mercy and grace to help in time of need. Grace to help! Not deserved help — gracious help.”[2]

In times of stress, we may need to lower the expectations we place on ourselves to be productive and concentrate on simply asking Jesus to give us the ability to be a calm presence to those around us.  He understands your need for grace and help and offers it to you now.

Resource reading:  Hebrews 4:12-16

[1] Hope for Mental Health Community with Dr. Bruce Perry. Hope for Mental Health Community with Dr. Bruce Perry, April 26, 2020. https://www.facebook.com/KayWarrensPage/videos/221359749316417/?v=221359749316417&external_log_id=dfa3a8adb311f83825eb054bc95cdd83.

[2] Piper, John. “Draw Near to the Throne of Grace with Confidence.” Desiring God, May 15, 1996. https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/draw-near-to-the-throne-of-grace-with-confidence.

https://www.guidelines.org/devotional/an-offer-of-grace-in-times-of-crisis/