ABS-CBN, GMA-7 seek to renew franchises

MANILA, Philippines - Broadcast industry giants ABS-CBN and GMA-7 are asking for congressional approval to renew their franchises.

Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, who chairs the House committee on legislative franchises, said yesterday that his panel has recommended for plenary approval the bill renewing the franchise for GMA-7.

That of ABS-CBN remains pending with the committee. It also sought to renew its franchise in 2014, during the Aquino administration, but lawmakers did not act on it, noting that the privilege would expire in 2020 yet.

The panel, he added, also recommended the approval of the renewal application of Smart Communications, the country’s largest mobile phone service provider.

House members urged telecommunications companies during the hearings on the renewal of franchises to improve its mobile phone signals by building more support infrastructure and to provide faster internet service.

They lamented that the country’s internet service is among the “slowest but most expensive” in the world.

During the election campaign period, ABS-CBN aired an advertisement critical of then candidate mayor Rodrigo Duterte of Davao City.

After Duterte won the presidency, some speculated that the broadcast giant would not be able to renew its franchise, which prompted the network to issue a statement.

“Claims that the franchise will not be extended are purely speculative. For the franchise renewal, we believe that our government will uphold the ideals of democracy, including the rights to freedom of speech and expression,” it said.

ABS-CBN said it was “committed to be in public service by providing news and information that matter to the Filipino, as we have been doing for the past decades.”

It said it opted for early renewal in September 2014 and went through the normal legislative process.

“But due to time constraints, ABS-CBN later decided to withdraw the application with the intent of seeking renewal in the 17th Congress,” it added.

The network is controlled by the Lopezes. A family member, Regina Lopez, sits in President Duterte’s Cabinet as secretary of environment and natural resources. She used to head the ABS-CBN Foundation.