Senators’ plea to House on ABS-CBN’s franchise: Make it happen, find your voice

LOOK: A pedestrian walks past the ABS CBN headquarters in Quezon City on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, a day after the NTC orders it to stop operation due to non-renewal of its license by Congress. INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — Senators made an emotional appeal on Wednesday to their colleagues at the House of  Representatives to act on ABS-CBN’s franchise, which expired last May 4.

“Standing with ABS-CBN in the time of the pandemic. C’mon Congressmen make it happen pls,”  Senator Sonny Angara wrote on his social media accounts.

“Thousands of families will lose jobs and incomes. Millions of Filipinos going crazy stuck at home will lose a source of entertainment and life-saving information.”

“If there are shortcomings then fine or punish the wrongdoers but this is clearly not right,” Angara added.

Senator Nancy Binay, in another Twitter post, echoed Angara’s call.

“To my friends sa may Batasan hope you can find your voice,” Binay wrote, followed with a hashtag #IpasanasaSenado.

Several bills renewing the franchise of  ABS-CBN’s’  franchise have been pending in the House of Representatives.

Unless approved by the House, the bills could not be transmitted to the Senate for consideration.

In a separate online interview with reporters, Binay appealed to House members to hear the franchise application of ABS-CBN and decide once and for all whether or not to approve it.

She noted that  Congress has just a few weeks left to tackle the issue as it set to adjourn sine die on June 3.

Senator Grace Poe, meanwhile,  expressed confidence  that Congress would act on the ABS-CBN’s franchise and  “do the right thing.”

“More than ever, it is now that we must uphold our duty under the Constitution, protect the freedoms of the press and expression, and ensure fairness in all our proceedings. The whole of government is expected to do the same,”  Poe said in a statement Tuesday night.

ABS-CBN stopped its broadcasting Tuesday night in compliance with the National Telecommunications Commission’s order.

KGA