- Sal Panelo explained Duterte’s tirade against ABS-CBN.
- ABS-CBN franchise renewal bill remained pending in Congress.
Malacanang Spokesman Salvador Panelo has again clarified President Rodrigo Duterte’s stand on the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.
During an interview with One News’ The Chiefs, Panelo reiterated that the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise is up to the Congress since they are the one who will grant and renew the franchise.
“Congress pa rin yun, sila ang nagbibigay ng franchise [at] nagre-renew.” he said.
He also explained that the President’s tirades at many public occassions and speeches against the media giant is a mere expression of anger and exasperation.
“Baka expression lang yun ng kanyang inis…Basta si Presidente, hindi benggatibong tao, kasi kung benggatibo yan, marami na sigurong nalagas,” Panelo added.
ABS-CBN’s franchise to operate is set to expire on March 2020.
The Kapamilya network’s franchise renewal bill has been stalled in Congress since 2016.
At the 17th Congress, the bill was not enacted at the Committee on Legislative Franchise purportedly due to Duterte’s pronouncements against the media network.
This year at the 18th Congress the bill was refiled by its original proponent Nueva Ecija Rep. Michaela Vilago under House Bill No.676.
Aside from Violago there were also four other Congressmen who filed the same measure aiming to renew ABS-CBN franchise which include Lipa Representative Vilma Santos-Recto, Pangasinan Representative Rose Marie “Baby” Arenas, Laguna Representative and former ABS-CBN reporter Sol Aragones, and Parañaque Representative Joy Myra Tambunting.
Meanwhile, the Senate has also filed a counterpart measure through Sen. Ralph Recto’s Senate Bill 981.
