Poe to inhibit self from voting on ABS-CBN franchise renewal

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe vowed on Wednesday to inhibit herself from voting on the renewal of the franchise of broadcast giant ABS-CBN once deliberation on the matter reaches the Senate.

Poe said she would also inhibit herself as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services that will discuss the franchise renewal.

“Kung sakaling pinalad ang ABS-CBN at magkaroon ng boto sa House at na-transmit dito (If the voting for the franchise of ABS-CBN will be transmitted here), I will inhibit myself as chairman of the actual hearing of the franchise, and I will inhibit myself from voting for the approval of that franchise because I am confident that we will have the votes here of our discerning colleagues of ours,” she manifested on the floor.

Before announcing her decision, Poe noted that her mother, actress Susan Roces, is still cast in the network’s long-running show “Ang Probinsyano.”

She said her mother can apply for other shows in other networks if ABS-CBN fails to renew its franchise, but noted that other employees of the country’s largest media network would be largely affected.

Before this, Poe also led a Senate hearing on the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN on February 24.

READ: Senate panel opens hearing on ABS-CBN franchise renewal

Poe thanked her colleagues, especially those who were initially against the renewal, for keeping an open mind on the franchise of ABS-CBN during the hearing.

“Isa lang ako sa boto ng napakarami. So kahit na bumoto pa ako sa isang bagay kung ayaw niyo naman hindi yan papasa (I am just one of the many votes. Even if I vote, if you don’t want it, it will not be passed). With that I would like to thank my colleagues here for your support and for keeping an open mind,” she said.