If CBCP’s franchise was renewed, so will ABS-CBN’s, says solon

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker on Thursday expressed confidence that ABS-CBN will be able to renew its franchise, pointing out that even the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), which also had a strained relationship with President Rodrigo Duterte, was able to renew its franchise.

“With respect to (ABS-CBN’s) franchise renewal, ‘yung CBCP nga inapprove namin… Inapprove namin ang CBCP, mas matindi pa nga yun magsalita,” Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said during his speech at the Makati Business Club’s General Membership Meeting in Makati Diamond Residences on Thursday.

(With respect to the media’s giant’s franchise renewal, even the CBCP was approved by the House. We approved it even if the CBCP was more critical.)

“I think it’s most likely to be renewed. Most likely. I am, as an insider, I can tell you, it is most likely to be renewed.” the congressman added.

In 2019, the broadcast franchise of CBCP lapsed into law after the President failed to act on it after 30 days.

The Senate began a hearing on the renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise while a lawmaker at the House of Representatives filed a joint resolution that sought for the TV Network’s franchise renewal.

There are 11 bills filed at the lower chamber, which seeks the renewal of the franchise of the media conglomerate which.

ABS-CBN’s franchise will expire by May 4, not March 30 as Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra divulged in the Senate hearing early this week.

Body language

Asked about the source of confidence in the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise, Salceda said: “I read the body language of my colleagues. The body language of the House leadership.”

The lawmaker also said if the ABS-CBN violated no laws then the network should be allowed to operate.

During the Senate inquiry on ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal, officials from the Securities and Exchange Commission and Bureau of Internal Revenue testified the media giant did not commit any violations.

Edited by EDV