MANILA – After 13 series of joint hearing by the House Committee on Legislative Franchise and the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, the committee finally denied the 25-year renewal bid of the giant ABS-CBN in the afternoon of Friday.
The votes by members of the house committee came as a result of their deliberations of various issues such as citizenship of the network’s chairman emeritus Gabby Lopez, alleged labor violations, tax-evasion, violation of provision of its old franchise, as well as alleged political bias, among other issues. These issues were hurled against the network after it was ordered off the air on May 4, 2020. The scoreboard states, 70 are against the renewal, 11 are for the renewal, 2 inhibited themselves with 1 abstention.
House Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, an ex officio member of the committee, said that the management of ABS-CBN as well as those house representatives who voted for the approval of the renewal could refile a new bill in congress. Under the rules of the house also, the ABS-CBN will be given 24 hours with which to submit their appeal for reconsideration.
Ernie Lopez, younger brother of Gabby who was in the crowd at the ABS-CBN compound along Mother Ignacia Street when the announcement was made said that it was painful reality but they must accept and respect the decision of lawmakers.
Speaking on his own, Lopez said that he saw the shadows of Martial Law in the entire brouhaha and the events unfolding today was like during the time of President Marcos when his father Eulogio was incarcerated.
Responding to a media reporter Lopez continued, “I’m worried about the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Law that allows two weeks of arrest that can be extended for another 10 days without warrant and trial which was like what happened to my father who was in jail for five years without a case filed against him.”
When asked for comments, Presidential Harry Roque said that Malacañang will respect the decision and autonomy of the legislative branch. He said that while his office likes to work with the media network, the decision of congress will not make it possible anymore.
