Gullas backs renewal of ABS-CBN franchise

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu First District Representative Eduardo Gullas yesterday declared his support for the passage of the bill renewing ABS-CBN Corporation’s franchise by another 25 years.

“We are all for the extension of the network’s legislative franchise,” Gullas said in a press statement.

“We regard mass media in general and TV networks in particular as the State’s indispensable ally not only in the prompt dissemination of information to the public, but also in promoting transparency and accountability in government,” Gullas said.

He added that if Congress is able to grant franchises to startup companies, surely they can extend the franchises of those entities that have been operating over long periods and have proven themselves to be worthy.

Meanwhile, a “silent majority” of House members favor the passage of the bill renewing ABS-CBN Corp.’s franchise by another 25 years.

“We have a silent majority who do not express their opinions publicly, but who support the extension of ABS-CBN’s franchise, so that the House can also move forward and deal with other pressing concerns,” said Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza, in a separate press statement.

“Many of those in the ‘hushed majority’ are unwilling to speak out because they fear reprisals from the House leadership,” said Atienza, former three-term mayor of Manila.

Atienza rejected as “nonsense” all suggestions for Congress to try to work out a temporary fix to ABS-CBN’s looming lack of a valid legislative franchise.

The pitches include the House and the Senate adopting some form of resolution that would supposedly pave the way for ABS-CBN to continue to operate in the interim, and/or for congressional leaders to endorse to the National Telecommunications Commission the grant of a provisional authority to the network.

“Why should we bother to look for a short-term remedy, when a permanent cure is already on the table? All that the House has to do now is put the bill renewing ABS-CBN’s franchise to a vote at the committee level, and then on the floor,” Atienza pointed out.

Atienza added that Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Thursday expressed support for the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise after her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, accepted the media giant’s apology over the airing of a controversial 2016 election political ad against him.

“Once Congress approves the extension of ABS-CBN’s franchise and the bill is forwarded to Malacañang, our sense is, the President will just allow the measure to lapse into law without his signature, in accordance with Article VI, Section 27 (1) of the Constitution,” Atienza said.

Atienza further said that over the years, most, if not all, franchise bills approved by Congress simply lapse into law without the chief executive’s signature anyway.  GAN (FREEMAN)