Poe hopes for swift action on resolution for ABS-CBN provisional franchise

ABS-CBN employees light candles in solidarity as the network’s darkest hour came on Tuesday night. —EDWIN BACASMAS

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Grace Poe on Saturday said that she is hoping for a swift decision on the resolution to grant ABS-CBN provisional authority to keep on operating despite the company’s expired franchise.

In an interview with DWIZ, Poe said that her fellow senators have already expressed their support as several lawmakers made moves to bring the broadcast giant back on the air again after National Telecommunications Commission’s cease and desist order.

Congressman Rufus Rodriguez, the Representative of the Second District of Cagayan de Oro, filed a joint congressional resolution for ABS-CBN’s provisional franchise that will last until June 30, 2022.

Poe said Rodriguez’s resolution would give Congress enough time to debate whether or not to give ABS-CBN a new 25-year franchise.

“Umaasa ako na sana ay gawan nila ng mabilisang aksyon at kaya naman nila kung gusto nila. Nakita naman natin na maraming batas ang naipasa nang mabilisan,” said Poe. “Wala naman akong nakikitang balakid, maaari siguro tignan ng mabuti ang bersyon ng Kongreso at sana magkasundo agad para wala nang mahabang bicameral session.”

(I’m hoping that they quickly work on this, they could if they want to. We’ve seen laws get passed as fast as possible. I don’t see roadblocks to this. The Congress should look at this carefully so they [congressmen and senators] can agree to this immediately and avoid a drawn-out bicameral session.)

Poe, the Senate Committee Chair for Public Services, already inhibited from the hearing not only due to her position in the Upper House but also with her mother Susan Roces being part of hit show “Ang Probinsyano” on ABS-CBN.

Taking her place in the Senate hearings is Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian. Poe said she has high hopes for her fellow Senator, who she described as “fair and would work hard to study whatever job he’s given.”

Poe, meanwhile, likened ABS-CBN’s shutdown to an actor getting fired because a director or producer simply didn’t like him.

“Let’s say ‘yung working conditions nila masama tapos may nag reklamong isang empleyado tapos yung nag-reklamong ‘yun pinatalsik kahit hindi naman direktang apektado ‘yung ibang empleyado eh matatakot na sila,” said Poe.

(Let’s say one employee complains about their bad working conditions but he gets fired because of it, although some employees weren’t directly affected, they’d be scared to speak up.)