Malacañang on Monday appealed again to the public to respect the House of Representatives’ decision on denying the media giant ABS-CBN’s franchise bid, asking them to “move on” from the case.
“At dumaan na po sa proseso sang-ayon sa Saligang Batas, wala na po tayong magagawa. Let’s move on.”
[It went through a legal process as provided by our Constitution, we cannot do anything anymore. Let’s move on.]
This was Presidential spokesman Harry Roque’s pleas to the public as critics continue to hound the Palace for statements over the shutdown of the broadcasting giant amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“’Yan po ang naging desisyon ng komite. Kinakailangan po respetuhin ng lahat,” he added.
[That was the decision of the committee, and everybody needs to respect it.]
In a 70-11 vote, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises on Friday rejected ABS-CBN’s fresh franchise application.
Palace maintained its stance that President Rodrigo Duterte is neutral on the issue, and will respect the move of the Congress.
Roque also disagreed with claims that the network’s closure can be likened to the martial law press shutdown under then president Ferdinand Marcos.
“With all due respect, we disagree. But we do so vehemently. Alam po natin ang nangyari doon sa panahon ng martial law, may prangkisa po, pinasara. Ang nangyari po ngayon, napaso ang prangkisa, hindi po na-renew.”
[We know that in the time of the martial law, there was a franchise, and they were ordered closed. What happened today, the franchise expired and was not renewed.]
