FICTAP President Neng Tamano resurfaced again riding the tide of renewed hope for the ABS-CBN franchise.
In her latest statements as reported by the Business Mirror, Tamano insists that ABS-CBN must first pay the necessary penalties before they should be given a new franchise.
“Before a new franchise could be issued, a broadcast network should first pay whatever penalties that it is supposed to pay,”
Tamano added that the House of Representatives should not act on any new franchise bills that will be filed if the Kapamilya network will not settle first the issues raised against it.
“There should not be any discussions at the House, without the network settling the issues raised against it.”
Tamano was one of the prime oppositors of the ABS-CBN franchise.
The FICTAP President claimed that ABS-CBN violated their franchise when they showed multiple channels on its digital TV box, TV Plus. Tamano claimed that the law only allowed 1 channel per franchise.
NTC and several electronics and communications engineers however trashed Tamano’s argument saying a network’s franchise is assigned with 1 frequency which they can divide into multiple channels or programs.
Meanwhile, Tamano’s latest dip to relevance was brought about by the conflicting comments from Representatives Lito Atienza and Rodante Marcoleta.
Atienza first issued statements saying ABS-CBN will definitely be back in 2021 following the change in the House leadership.
“Hindi hula yun, that’s a reality mangyayari ‘yun, I am really confident, justice will prevail by next year. They were maltreated, they were eventually assassinated, so they should be given justice,” Atienza said.
“Ako, I am just giving the new Speaker time to settle. Hindi naman natin puwedeng biglain, major battle, kauupo lamang niya. But I am not shying away from the responsibility and for the opportunity to come – that I’m working on – para maibalik natin ‘yung floor discussion. Hindi ‘yung special firing squad. Ang pumatay sa ABS-CBN, firing squad lang, eh,” he added.
Marcoleta, however, countered Atienza saying it will be hard for ABS-CBN to get another franchise in 2021 because they still need to undergo major reforms.
“ABS-CBN has to go through major reforms, starting with a change in management and facilities, before they are given a new franchise to operate,” he said
“[ABS-CBN should] address the various violations of securities and labor laws, and the constitutional provision mandating the 100 percent Filipino ownership of a media company,” he added.
ABS-CBN has been in shutdown since May but they are currently back in free TV via the block time deal with Zoe Broadcasting through A2Z Channel 11.
