Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano denied insinuations that Congress is intentionally delaying the start of deliberations on the ABS-CBN franchise.
In a report by ABS-CBN, Cayetano said the delay with ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal hearing is not intentional and is not meant to put the media giant under the control of politicians.
“‘Yung sinasabi namang iimpluwensiyahan sila (ABS-CBN), bakit? Wala namang eleksyon e… Ibang usapan kung sasabihin namin sa inyo, hanggang eve ng eleksyon, walang franchise ang ABS-CBN,” Cayetano said.
“With 65 years in service, ABS-CBN “know[s] how to resist politicians.
“I will do all I can ma-prevent that anyone will take advantage of the situation and try to dictate or influence ‘yung news ng ABS-CBN,” he added.
According to Cayetano, the delay in the hearing is caused by complaints against ABS-CBN’s alleged meddling in politics and Philippine elections, an issue not raised with other media networks who breezed their respective franchise renewals.
“Look at Channel 5 and Channel 7. Why were their franchises given immediately? It’s because no one accused their management of meddling in the election. But for ABS-CBN, it’s a perennial complaint,” Cayetano explained.
ABS-CBN’s franchise is due to expire on May 4, 2020.
Until now the Committee on Legislative Franchises has yet to schedule hearings on the 11 pending bills seeking to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise.
Last January 2020, Cayetano promised to start the deliberation on the 1st week of February. But it was again delayed because he said the Congress is very busy with other matters.
“We have enough time. Yung budget na P4.1 trillion natapos natin ng isang buwan, yun pa kayang franchise na siguro sobrang… yung issues, two-three hearings, sobrang exhaustive na nun.
“I talked to Chairman Chicoy Alvarez and he’s recommending we start… there are about 40 to 50 franchise bills. So, first week of February daw he will start, and kung sino daw ang may kumpletong requirements, he will start the hearings,” speaker said.
Cayetano also stressed that ABS-CBN franchise renewal is not urgent because they can still operate even after its franchise expires.
“Hindi [ito] ganoon ka-urgent. Bakit? Kasi hanggang March 2022, pwedeng mag-operate,” he added.
In his latest pronouncements, the Speaker vowed to tackle the Kapamilya network’s franchise either May or August of the current year which according to him is the best timing.
“What is the best timing? First, lahat ng pro at anti makapagsalita. Pangalawa, lahat ng gustong magsalita, magbigay ng comment, pabor man o hindi, marinig natin. Third, hindi matapakan yung ibang priorities natin na mas urgent,” he said.
“There are two options. It’s that in May, depende kung anong matapos namin in the next three weeks. The longer option is right after SONA (State of the Nation Address),” he continued.
