Malacañang seems unfazed by new bills filed that would seek to grant ABS-CBN Corp. a broadcast franchise.
In a press briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque warded off questions regarding bills filed separately in both legislative chambers adding that “it is a sole constitutional prerogative of Congress.”
Majority of members of the Senate and the House of Representatives are known allies of the administration.
At the Senate, no less than Senate President Vicente Sotto filed a bill seen to give the Lopez-owned broadcasting company a fresh 25-year license to operate. He cited the need to bring back sensible news and public affairs programs even as he took note that most television programs today are either cartoons or animated shows.
Reacting to a statement issued by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, who hinted on the need for a Palace blessing for the bill to pass the chamber, Roque said he doesn’t see it that way.
“I beg to differ,” Roque said, in reference to Recto’s comment.
“That is a sole constitutional prerogative of Congress, which must originate from the House of Representatives,” he told reporters in an online briefing.
Sotto had said “ABS-CBN’s wide reach to Filipinos, alongside with the undeniable advantages of broadcast media relative to mass communication, definitely call for the immediate renewal of the network’s franchise.”
A separate bill is expected to be filed anytime soon at the lower legislative chamber. The House version is expected to be sponsored by Batangas 6th District Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto.
“We need to start rebuilding our economy,” Santos-Recto said in a statement. “Through this bill, we will be creating jobs (so many people do not have jobs today) and help promote healthy competition among the networks.”
ABS-CBN network ceased to air its television and radio programs in the entire archipelago on orders of the National Telecommunications Commission following the expiration of its previous license.
Two months later, the House panel voted to deny its new franchise application despite government regulators and other officials clearing ABS-CBN of alleged tax fraud and violations of foreign ownership restrictions in mass media, among other legal issues.
However, ABS-CBN found ways to air their programs on cable TV channels and online platforms. Not long after, ABS-CBN sealed a block-time deal with A2Z channel 11, where the Lopez-owned giant network has been slowly returning on screen.