Speaker: Let’s move forward on franchise issue

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano yesterday urged the people to move forward from the divisive decision of the House denying the franchise renewal of broadcast giant ABS-CBN.

In a statement, Cayetano appealed to critics to respect the decision of the majority of members of the committee on legislative franchises to reject the franchise renewal bill.

“I pray that despite our differences, we will eventually come to respect the decision of the committee and its members and begin to move forward in rebuilding the relationships that have been strained by this issue,” he said.

Cayetano believed that while the panel conducted “fair, impartial, thorough and comprehensive” hearings, objections are inevitable.

“Because of the highly partisan nature of this issue, we accepted from the start that there would be those who will vehemently disagree with the committee’s decision, no matter what they resolve,” he explained.

The Speaker assured the public that the panel took into consideration “the overall impact it (decision) will have on the nation.”

Voting 70-11, the committee rejected the network’s franchise bid, citing as basis six issues tackled during the hearings that, taken collectively, weigh heavily against the grant of legislative franchise to ABS-CBN.

The panel specifically cited the American citizenship of ABS-CBN chairman emeritus Eugenio Lopez III and doubtful Filipino citizenship and allegiance to the Philippines that is a possible violation of constitutional prohibition against foreign ownership in mass media, numerous violations of terms of the franchise, questionable tax avoidance schemes, apparent use of a dummy and less than exemplary labor practices.

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta said it would be unlikely for ABS-CBN to secure a franchise by refiling an application with Congress before the next presidential elections in 2022.

Marcoleta, who led oppositors of the franchise renewal application, believed that the frequency previously assigned to ABS-CBN might no longer be available come 2022.

“What if the government gives the franchise to another media company? What franchise are you going to give to ABS-CBN?” he said at a press conference last Friday evening.

Some lawmakers said ABS-CBN could still appeal the panel’s decision or apply again for a franchise as long as bills for it are filed. But Marcoleta disagreed.

“I cannot speculate. It’s up to them what’s their next move. As for them filing another bill, there’’s no way. Why would you process the application from the same organization when it was rejected already?” he commented.

Panel chair and Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez said ABS-CBN can appeal the decision within 24 hours after the voting.

He said that if the network files a motion for reconsideration, the House committee will have to hold another hearing before ruling on the appeal.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate said a committee member may also file an appeal.

“Under our rules, a member who voted with the majority can file a motion for reconsideration with his vote. But he must make his motion within the same meeting. He can still file the next day, but it has to be in writing,” Zarate explained.

Solicitor General Jose Calida said justice had been served after the House denied the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.?In a statement yesterday afternoon, Calida, the principal lawyer of the government, said Congress “did its job well.” ?“The granting of a legislative franchise is a privilege, not a right. Congress has ascertained that ABS-CBN is unworthy of a legislative franchise, and its decision must be accorded respect,” Calida said.

Throughout 12 hearings, lawmakers grilled ABS-CBN executives on various issues – from the nationality of its chairman emeritus Lopez, alleged unpaid taxes, issuance of Philippine Depositary Receipts to foreigners, supposed violation on the operation of pay-per-view channel ABS-CBN TV plus, among others.?Some 70 lawmakers voted to deny ABS-CBN’s franchise application, 11 others voted in favor of the network, two inhibited and one abstained.

 ?A group comprised of families of political prisoners, meanwhile, slammed the decision of the House.?“The lawmakers’ resolution denying ABS-CBN a new 25-year franchise reveals how this government is hell bent on silencing those who take to heart the essence of standing up for the Filipino, especially those in the margins, and in the process speak truth to power,” the group said.?They said ABS-CBN did its part to shed light on stories behind bars, especially during the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19.) Ralph Edwin Villanueva