CBCP commission to House members: ‘Vote according to conscience’ on ABS-CBN franchise

MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commission on Social Communications is urging members of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises to vote according to their conscience on granting ABS-CBN its franchise.

Most Rev. Marcelino Antonio Maralit Jr., chairman of the CBCP Commission, said how the congressmen will vote will affect not only the future of the network but also of those who depend on it for livelihood, news, and those who consider the media giant an avenue for daily leisure.

Maralit said that after listening to the 12 marathon House hearings on ABS-CBN’s franchise bid, the CBCP Commission has come to the conclusion that the network “has not violated any law, rule or regulation that would be reason enough not to grant the renewal of their franchise.”

“Be that as it may, it is not our intention to pressure you, our honorable lawmakers, to vote for the approval of the renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN. The only thing that we humbly ask of you is that you vote according to your conscience and do what you truly believe is right,” the church official said in an open letter.

“We are aware that there is so much more at stake here than the mere approval of a network franchise,” he also said.

Maralit then stressed the importance of ABS-CBN’s role as a vital source of information in the country.

“The network forms part of the whole Philippine democratic landscape as it continues to help in making the latest news available to Filipinos in the country and abroad, and contributes to the people’s capacity to make informed decisions,” he said.

Palawan 1st District Rep. Franz Alvarez, who chairs the legislative franchises committee, earlier formed a technical working group that will “study and draft the recommendations on the application for a franchise of ABS-CBN.”

The report of the technical working group will be presented during the legislative franchises committee’s hearing on Friday.

The Committee on Legislative Franchises is scheduled to decide on the fate of ABS-CBN also on Friday, according to Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante.

/MUF