Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez
MANILA – Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez on Wednesday filed a joint resolution seeking a one-year extension of broadcast network ABS-CBN's franchise until May 4, 2021.
In filing House Joint Resolution No. 29, Rodriguez said the proposed one-year extension allowing ABS-CBN to continue its operations would give members of Congress enough time to thoroughly study pending bills granting a 25-year franchise to the TV network.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier said the actual expiration of the network’s franchise is May 4 and not Mar. 30,2020 as originally believed.
“Both the House of Representatives and the Senate need additional time to review, assess, and determine whether or not ABS-CBN shall be granted the renewal of its franchise,” Rodriguez said in his resolution.
Meanwhile, House Committee on Legislative Franchise chair Franz Alvarez has sent a letter to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) enjoining the agency to grant ABS-CBN a provisional authority to continue its operations effective May 4, 2020, until such time that the Congress has made a decision on the network’s application.
Alvarez and Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano informed the NTC that the House Committee on Legislative Franchises has started its preliminary proceedings on ABS-CBN's application for the renewal of its franchise.
They noted that the panel has instructed all interested parties to submit their position papers for or against franchise renewal within 60 days from Feb 24, 2020.
The letter underscored that the House of Representatives has the exclusive original jurisdiction and authority to act on franchise applications.
Cayetano also reiterated his earlier stand that the House will prioritize more urgent measures concerning the rehabilitation of Batangas, the prevention of the spread of the Covid-19 virus, the creation of the Departments of Overseas Filipinos and Disaster Resilience, as well as several revenue measures being pushed by the Duterte administration that will help bring in millions of new jobs.
“As we have been saying from the start since ABS-CBN will be allowed to continue its broadcast while we are hearing their renewal, there is no urgency that would justify a hasty proceeding. We want to be sure that this matter is given the importance it deserves,” Cayetano said. (PNA)
