Chair of House panel dismisses talks of franchise renewal for ABS-CBN

HOUSE Committee Chair on Legislative Franchises Franz E. Alvarez dismissed proposals to revive talks on the renewal of the ABS-CBN Corp. franchise, adding this can be tackled in the next Congress.

In a statement on Thursday, Mr. Alvarez made the statement after Anakalusugan party-list Representative Michael T. Defensor on Wednesday’s plenary session proposed to discuss the “unfinished business” regarding the media network’s franchise. Other lawmakers declined his motion.

The said “unfinished business” is House Bill 6732, which sought to grant the embattled network a provisional franchise until Oct. 31, 2020. The bill was filed by Taguig City-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter S. Cayetano in May 2020.

“Obviously, this is already moot and academic. Based on my understanding from the House leadership, the ABS-CBN franchise issue is best left to the next Congress,” Mr. Alvarez said.

On Wednesday, lawmakers agreed during the plenary to discuss the matter next week.

Mr. Defensor is among the 70 lawmakers who voted against the franchise application of ABS-CBN last July 10. Mr. Alvarez said any lawmaker who voted against the measure can file a motion for reconsideration to challenge the decision made by his committee, which voted 70-11 for the franchise denial.

“Unfortunately, there was none, thus the committee decision has become final,” he said.

The network earlier said that its closure forced more than 11,000 into unemployment and resulted in “information gaps” in areas that rely on its news services.

ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise expired on May 4, 2020. Before its closure, President Rodrigo R. Duterte said the network “will not see the light of day” and that its franchise will never be renewed. His ire was centered on unaired election campaign ads. — Gillian M. Cortez