‘Give ABS-CBN a fair hearing’

Dear Mr. Editor:

Below is a privilege speech I delivered at the Batasang Pambansa on March 3, 2020:

Mr. Speaker, esteemed colleagues:

For the record, this Representation vehemently denies that (1) the Visayas Bloc had met and agreed to take a stand on the controversy over the renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise, and (2) the Visayas Bloc supported the stand of the Speaker that there was no urgent need to act on the bills for the network's continued operation.

Each member of the Visayas Bloc has been allowed to express or not to express his or her opinion on the issue. No position has been taken by the Visayas Blccas a Group on the ABS-CBN issue.

Reports in the media and in other forums, attributed to a fellow congressman from Cebu, are therefore not true and have no basis in fact. Not a shred of truth in it.

For myself, I kn.owI did not express support to the purported view of the Visayas Bloc. I know the Visayas Bloc did not meet, did not call a meeting, did not even attempt to meet over the ABSCBN issue.

To say and circulate that the Visayas bloc did is a falsehood and a misrepresentation that wound the core of the reason for its being as an alliance of legislators from the Visayas regions.

On the issue of the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise, I personally and on my own have expressed this stand clearly and explicitly:

The broadcast network should be given its day in Congress and its day in court. Due process and fair hearing are major components under a rule of law. To us legislators, the hearing is crucial to our vote on the network's fate.

I also owe it to my constituents who have watched and listened to the network's programs, have liked some of its programs and disliked others, have accepted and at times rejected its information and opinion, in sum, have turned to ABS-CBN, as it has also turned to other networks, as source of entertainment and enlightenment.

Pursuant to what I believe, I filed a resolution for the extension of the authority of ABS-CBN to operate until the closing day of the 18th Congress in June 2022 or until we decide on the renewal or rejection of the bills pending on the network's fate.

It has become increasingly clear, however, there is no more time either for consideration of the main franchise or the resolution on its provisional operation. The windows and the gates to any of that are inexorably closing.

I - and my colleagues - may just have to pin our hopes that the Honorable Speaker will be faithful to the vow and promise he has repeatedly made on various public forums, that (1) ABSCBN will be given a fair hearing, to inform us legislators on the merits of its application; and (2) that until the said hearing is completed and the vote taken, the broadcast network will be allowed to continue its operations.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and esteemed colleagues.

Rep. Raul del Mar

Cebu City First District