MANILA, Philippines— Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. has filed a bill, extending the validity of ABS-CBN’s franchise for another eight months or least until December 31, 2020.
ABS-CBN’s franchise is set to expire on May 4 this year.
Revilla, a known Kapuso talent, said his bill will give both chambers of Congress— the Senate and the House of Representatives— time to act on various pending franchise bills of ABS-CBN and address all possible legal consequences that may arise if the existing franchise is not extended or renewed.
“Narinig natin ang pahayag ni former Chief Justice Reynato Puno na pag napaso na ang prangkisa, wala nang basehan para magpatuloy ang operasyon ng ABS-CBN,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
(We heard the statement of former Chief Justice Reynato Puno if the franchise has expired, there is no longer basis to continue to operation of ABS-CBN)
“Kaya tayo nag-file ng bill extending the franchise to the end of the year – to give time for Congress to finish our job na hindi nanganganib ang trabaho ng mahigit sa 11,000 manggagawa,” the senator added.
(That’s why we filed a bill, extending the franchise to the end of the year – to give time for Congress to finish our job without putting at risk the jobs of more than 11,000 workers)
Revilla expressed confidence that eight months would be enough for Congress to finally resolve the question of whether or not ABS-CBN will be granted a new franchise.
“If both Houses decide to amend RA 7966 and extend their franchise to the end of the year, there will be no legal questions that will arise while Congress tackles the issue of granting ABSCBN a new franchise. Hindi rin kakaba-kaba yung mga empleyado at manggagawa,” he further said.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, meanwhile, has filed two separate measures— a joint resolution and a concurrent resolution— extending the ABS-CBN’s franchise until December 31, 2022.