MANILA, Philippines — Broadcasting company ABS-CBN on Wednesday vowed to “maintain the highest level of integrity” even as it recognized being “not a perfect organization.”
This statement came amid swelling calls for the government to renew the franchise of the media network giant and after Solicitor General Jose Calida moved to stop its operations allegedly due to violations in its franchise terms.
The embattled network also thanked everyone who has expressed their “overwhelming support”.
“While we are not a perfect organization, we assure the public that we strive to maintain the highest level of integrity as we work to deliver services that many Filipinos believe to be important and meaningful to them,” the network said.
Calida, the Duterte government’s top lawyer, has asked the Supreme Court to revoke the existing franchise of ABS-CBN Corporation and its subsidiary, ABS-CBN Convergence Inc., for allegedly violating the rules set by Congress.
Several bills seeking to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN for another 25 years remain pending before the House Committee on Legislative Franchises. Its existing franchise will expire on March 30.
The media network said it will answer Calida’s accusations in “a more detailed response to the Supreme Court.”
According to Isabela 1st District Antonio Albano, who serves as House Committee on Legislative Franchise vice-chairperson, ABS-CBN may still be allowed to operate even after its franchise lapses.
The network said it appreciates Albano’s statement, as well as his commitment to go through the franchise renewal process at the appropriate time.
“We trust in this promise,” ABS-CBN said.
Since taking power, President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly vowed to put ABS-CBN out of business due to its failure to air his presidential campaign advertisements in 2016.
But Duterte’s spokesman and legal counsel Salvador Panelo claimed that the President’s threats are part of his freedom to express and have nothing to do with Calida’s work.