Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta has reaffirmed his opposition to granting a new franchise to ABS-CBN, following the filing of House Bill No. 11252 by Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda.
The bill aims to give the media network a fresh 25-year franchise, five years after it was denied renewal by the 18th Congress.
Marcoleta, who was a prominent figure in the hearings that led to ABS-CBN’s closure in 2020, reiterated that the network must first prove it has resolved the violations cited during the previous deliberations.
“Napagtibay na ng 18th Congress ang napakaraming paglabag ng istasyon. Dapat mapatunayan muna na walang violation na ginawa ang ABS-CBN bago ito muling bigyan ng prangkisa,” Marcoleta said in an interview.
Rep. Salceda clarified that his decision to file the bill was independent of any influence from ABS-CBN or House leadership. In a statement, he said, “I filed it with the conviction that it is the right thing to do. I have been a co-author of the ABS-CBN franchise since 2019.”
Salceda emphasized the significant economic and informational impact of the network’s closure, which led to the loss of approximately 11,000 direct jobs and hindered the dissemination of critical news during emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters.
Salceda argued that the allegations of tax deficiencies and violations of foreign ownership restrictions have been addressed. He cited records from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) clearing ABS-CBN of these issues.
“The BIR is on record as having said that the network does not have pending tax deficiencies. The SEC also said there is no pending case against supposed foreign ownership of the company,” Salceda noted.
He also pointed to recent legislation, such as the Public Service Act and Foreign Investment Act amendments, which provide mechanisms to address similar concerns.
Despite these assurances, Marcoleta’s staunch opposition highlights the challenges the bill faces. The deputy speaker has been vocal about his stance against ABS-CBN, which he previously criticized for alleged violations of its original franchise and other regulatory issues.
Since its closure in 2020, ABS-CBN has faced criticism for the void it left in news dissemination, particularly in remote areas. Critics of the closure, including former Vice President Leni Robredo, noted the network’s critical role in providing timely information during calamities like Typhoon Odette.
ABS-CBN has expressed gratitude to Salceda and other lawmakers for supporting the franchise renewal. The network reiterated its commitment to serving the Filipino people and addressing any lingering concerns about its operations.
The proposed measure is expected to undergo scrutiny in congressional hearings, where proponents and critics will debate its merits.
