The House of Representatives has postponed the hearings for ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal until next week.
According to Franz Alvarez, chairman of the House’s legislative franchise panel, it is to provide more time for the media network and other organizations involved to send the required documents and for lawmakers to review that documentation.
“Hindi muna (this week). Need lang more time for submission ng docs and time para ma-aral lahat. Next (hearing will be next) week, Monday, 1 p.m. (We just need time for submission of documents and time to study everything).”
Discussions on the new franchise bills of ABS-CBN will begin at the House of Representatives on June 29 following a “mutual agreement” by the lawmakers and the television network to postpone the proceedings this week.
To date, there have been seven hearings on the ABS-CBN franchise. This may have been the reason why Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza said that it is “one of the longest legislative activities in the Chamber” and even referred to the House Inquiry of ABS CBN franchise as a “fishing expedition”.
“After seven hearings, wala pa po silang napapatunayan. Humihingi sila ng records, meaning they are on a fishing expedition.”
Atienza accused some of his colleagues of refusing to listen to “duly authorized” government agencies that had already cleared the network of any violations.
Even the TRO petition of ABS-CBN against the cease-and-dismissal order of the NTC will only be addressed in the Supreme Court on July 13
In the event that SC supports the petition of ABS-CBN, this does not mean an extension of the franchise.
But, for 60 days after the quarantine period, they will be allowed to come back on-air under the presumed unexpired franchise.
The network closed its broadcasting activities on May 5 because of the National Telecommunications Commission’s cease and desist order. In March, the NTC made a commitment to Congress to issue a provisional authority to ABS-CBN to act while the legislature addressed the pending bills. NTC went back on its word and failed to deliver on its promise.
