Zubiri says ABS-CBN’s temporary franchise should be valid for at least a year

MANILA, Philippines — ABS-CBN’s proposed temporary franchise should have a validity of at least one year to ensure that Congress will really have enough time to finish deliberations on the network’s 25-year franchise, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said.

The House of Representatives earlier approved on second reading a bill granting ABS-CBN a provisional franchise valid until October 31, 2020.

But Zubiri is not optimistic that Congress can decide on the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise come October.

“We’re appealing to our colleagues..to the House na give it a bit more time kasi baka pagdating ng October 30, maglalabas na naman ang NTC (National Telecommunications Commission) ng cease-and-desist at back to zero na naman ang sitwasyon,” he added.

Earlier, 13 senators signed and filed a bill seeking to grant ABS-CBN a provisional franchise which is valid until June 30, 2022.

Zubiri said the senators would be willing to reach a compromise with members of the House to avoid long discussions when both chambers convene in a bicameral conference committee to reconcile both versions of ABS-CBN’s provisional franchise bill.

Under the Constitution, franchise bills must emanate from the House before it can be tackled in Senate plenary.

Once approved by the Senate, both chambers have to ratify the bill before it is transmitted to the President for his signature.

“Definitely, what we’re looking at is no less than a year provisional franchise kung pumayag yung House of Representatives,” Zubiri said.

“Willing naman kaming magkaroon ng compromise and I hope they’re also willing to compromise and (we) be able to ratify (the bill) bago mag June 3,” he added.

The senator pointed out that Congress would be on break from the first week of June until the end of July, which will only allow for around two months of deliberations.

Zubiri also cited challenges posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic which would need attention from the legislature.

“We need this two months ang situation ng COVID-19 could either get better or get worse. Not to mention the fact na magkakaroon po tayo ng typhoon season so magkaka-focus naman tayo sa rescue and rehabilitation efforts,” he said.

“Baka bitin ang five months,” he added.

On May 5, ABS-CBN went off the air after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease-and-desist order directing the network to stop the operations of its television and radio broadcasting station nationwide.

This despite the NTC’s earlier assurance that it would grant the network a provisional authority as Congress deliberates on its franchise renewal.

/MUF