The House of Representatives Committee of the Whole has approved the bill allowing ABS-CBN Network to operate with a “provisional franchise” that will expire on October 31, 2020.
The House Bill No. 6732 or “An Act Granting the ABS-CBN Corporation A Franchise to Construct, Install, Operate and Maintain Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations in the Philippines, and For Other Purposes” was filed by Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.
Cayetano said that this will give them ample time to tackle the issue of the media giant’s franchise renewal while focusing first on curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease in the Philippines.
“Through this measure, we hope to strike a balance between the immediate needs of the people amid this crisis and the duty of Congress to ensure accountability to our present laws,” read the bill.
“Providing ABS-CBN with a provisional franchise valid until 31 October 2020 will give both the House of Representatives and the Senate to hear the issues being raised for and against the renewal, and assess, with complete impartiality and fairness, whether or not the network shall be granted a franchise for another twenty-five (25) years.”
The bill also stated that the lawmakers “cannot, in good conscience, sweep the accusations under the rug.”
The Senate said that they will pass the bill once it is finalized in the House of Representatives. According to Cayetano, ABS-CBN may come back on air by June.
In an official statement, ABS-CBN thanked the lawmakers who led and sponsored the bill.
“We look forward to participating in the process of our franchise renewal and stand ready to respond to the issues that have been raised against the network, its owners, management and employees. We remain open to opinions and constructive suggestions on how to improve the organization and better serve the Filipino people,” they said.
(ALSO READ: NTC orders ABS-CBN to shut down its TV and radio broadcast operations)
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