House studying position papers to begin ABS-CBN franchise proceedings
MANILA, Philippines (Updated 11:27 a.m.) — A committee at the House of Representatives will begin proceedings on the ABS-CBN Corporation's long-delayed franchise, a lawmaker said Monday.
As the lower chamber finally starts the much-
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"Pagkakuha ko ng position papers, pag-aaralan. Tulad ng sinabi ni Speaker Cayetano May o August po talaga. Marami po ito hindi po kayang matapos agad."
(After consulting with Speaker Cayetano and other leaders, we will begin the proceedings today. After getting the position papers, we will study it. Like Speaker Cayetano said, we can tackle it May or August. These are many so we can't finish it right away.)
Alvarez said that the House was coordinating with the National Telecommunications Commission to ensure that the broadcast giant could continue its operations for the time being as
In an earlier interview with ANC's "Early Edition"
"That's why he's restrained from these bills," Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (Cagayan de Oro) said.
The Senate, meanwhile, already set a hearing on Monday to discuss the measure, which angered House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, who said it was unconstitutional.
On February 10, the Office of the Solicitor General accused the network of “unlawfully exercising their legislative franchises under Republic Act No. 7966 and Republic Act No. 8332” by, among other allegations, operating the Kapamilya Box Office pay-per-view service.
In December 2019, Cayetano announced that Congress would no longer be tackling the pending bills within the year, saying they would still have enough time to do so in 2020.
Despite admitting he had a personal vendetta with the network, Cayetano promised that he would ensure
Congress only has until March 11 left to tackle the many bills, while ABS-CBN Corp.'s legislative franchise
ABS-CBN Corp. stopped broadcasting on its TV and radio stations on May 5, 2020 after the National Telecommunications Commission issued a cease and desist order. The network's franchise had lapsed on May 4 without action by the House of Representatives.
ABS-CBN announces that it will cease operations of TeleRadyo, which has been in the red since 2020, by June 30.
In a disclosure, ABS confirms signing of deal that sees the broadcast giant enter into a joint venture with MVP's TV5. — Ramon Royandoyan
JUST IN: In a disclosure, ABS confirmed signing of deal that sees the broadcast giant enter into a joint venture with MVP's TV5. Details to follow. | via @monroyandoyan pic.twitter.com/x5nLTaad4U
— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) August 11, 2022
Rep. Mike Defensor (Anakalusugan Party-list) attempts to put the ABS-CBN franchise up for a vote in the plenary, saying it should be taken up as it is in the House's unfinished business.
The House rejects his motion, but he appeals this. House leaders later on commit to begin tackling its unfinished business beginning Monday. — Xave Gregorio
Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto (Batangas) has filed a bill seeking the renewal of the franchise granted to broadcast giant ABS-CBN.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III earlier filed a similar bill at the Senate, saying a majority of Filipinos get their news primarily from TV.
Franchise bills emanate from the House of Representatives.
Malacañang is leaving it up to Congress to decide on the new bill seeking to renew the franchise of television network ABS-CBN, which was forced to lay off thousands of workers after its franchise expired last May.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque disagreed, saying the fate of the bill depends on lawmakers.
"Well, again, I beg to differ; that is a sole constitutional prerogative of Congress which must originate from the House of Representatives," Roque says at a press briefing. — Alexis Romero
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