Another House bill seeks new ABS-CBN franchise

Facade of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center on Sgt. Esguerra Street in Quezon City. —Inquirer file photo /Edwib Bacasmas

MANILA, Philippines — Another House lawmaker has filed a bill to grant a new 25-year franchise to ABS-CBN Corp. although it remains to be seen whether it can be passed in time before the 19th Congress adjourns for the last time in June.

House Bill No. 11252, filed on Tuesday by Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, comes nearly five years since the chamber denied the broadcast network’s franchise application after it incurred the ire of then-President Rodrigo Duterte for being critical of his drug war.

In his explanatory note, Salceda noted that the Securities and Exchange Commission and Bureau of Internal Revenue had cleared ABS-CBN of accusations that it violated ownership restrictions and had pending tax liabilities.

READ: BIZ BUZZ: Nope, no ABS-CBN franchise in the works

Despite this, 70 members of the House committee on legislative franchises voted not to renew the network’s franchise in May 2020. Only 11 voted in favor.

This led to the retrenchment of 11,000 employees at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the shutdown of critical news services, including regional stations that once served as a critical information line for far-flung areas.

Loss of news source

Salceda has taken specific issue with the latter, saying that the “loss of information caused thousands of new COVID-19 infections during the critical period.”

“Prior to the rejection of the franchise renewal, some 36 percent of Filipinos derived their news and entertainment from the channel,” he said. “ABS-CBN’s extensive regional network reach was also the source for news and updates on impending disasters, making the channel crucial to disaster risk reduction strategies at the local level.”

“Given the merits of renewing the franchise, as well as the clarifications made by government agencies over certain allegations against the grantee, this representation urges Congress to reconsider the nonrenewal of the franchise by the previous Congress,” Salceda added.

Four similar bills have also been filed by Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Makabayan bloc members ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro and Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, Camarines Sur Rep. Gabriel Bordado, and Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel.