New Senate resolution seeks ABS-CBN, Sky Cable’s continued operations

MANILA, Philippines — A new concurrent resolution has been filed at the Senate, allowing not only ABS-CBN but also the Sky Cable Corporation,  to operate pending approval of their respective franchises in the 18th Congress.

In Concurrent Resolution No. 8 filed on Wednesday, nine senators also want the National Telecommunications Commission to issue appropriate provisional authority to ABS-CBN Corporation and the SKY Cable Corporation.

The authors of the resolution are Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senators Sonny Angara, Joel Villanueva, Grace Poe, Sherwin Gatchalian, Nancy Binay, Lito Lapid and Manny Pacquiao.

They first initiated  Concurrent Resolution No. 7 but it only seeks the continued operation of ABS-CBN while its franchise renewal is being tackled by the current Congress.

ABS-CBN’s franchise is set to expire on May 4.

Until now, however, the House of Representatives has yet to hold a hearing on the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.

Under the Constitution, a legislative franchise must emanate from the House before it is transmitted to the Senate and to the President for signature.