Provisional franchise for Philippines’ top network
PRESSED by public outcry, the Philippines’ House of Representatives on Wednesday moved to pass a bill giving the country’s largest broadcast network ABSCBN Corp a temporary licence to go back on the air for five months while Congress decides whether to grant it a fresh 25-year franchise.
That would give the House and the Senate until the end of October to deliberate on the franchise renewal of ABSCBN, which was forced to shut down its radio and television stations on May 5, a day after its licence expired.
House Bill No 6732, authored by Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and seven other House leaders, will give a provisional franchise to ABSCBN that will be valid until October 31, 2020, “unless sooner revoked or cancelled”.
It was approved on second reading during the plenary session attended online by most of the chamber’s 302 members.
However, the bill will face two challenges before it is passed into law – first, it will need the concurrence of the Senate and second, it will require the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte, who has repeatedly threatened to block the network’s franchise.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon expressed confidence that his colleagues will approve ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal before they adjourn the regular session on June 5.
“It can be done. The key is for the House to act on the franchise [bill] as soon as possible,” Drilon said.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said the Senate public services committee would open hearings next week to start the discussion of the chamber’s version of the TV network’s franchise.
“Hopefully, we can pass the measure the week after. We will work expeditiously to pass the measure up to ratification before the break,” Zubiri said in a Viber message.
Senator Francis Pangilinan, however, said the House move was just a “band-aid solution” that would put the broadcast giant on a “leash”.
He questioned the bill’s five-month effectivity instead of the usual 25 years.
“[ABS-CBN] will be like a dog with a leash on its neck. If they pull it hard, the company will not be able to bark, but just bellow in pain.
“Until the franchise has not been granted, this will still be an attack on media and press freedom, and an assault to our democracy,” said Pangilinan.
But in a statement, the network welcomed the bill and thanked leaders of the House “for recognising the role we play in providing for the needs of the people in terms of access to news, information, entertainment, and public service at this crucial time”.
Sought for comment, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the approval of the provisional franchise for ABSCBN was the prerogative of the House.
The president respects it, he added.
Last week, Roque said Duterte was taking a “neutral” stand on the franchise renewal issue and the administration-dominated House could vote on it either way.
The House on Wednesday converted itself into a committee of the whole to allow the entire body to discuss the bill, instead of limiting discussions to the House legislative franchises panel before plenary debates.
The bill will be put to a vote on third reading in compliance with the chamber’s three-day notice rule.