- ABS-CBN gained more allies in the Congress
- Currently, there are six bills filed at the House of Representatives seeking for the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise
- President Rodrigo Duterte renewed his threats against the network’s franchise renewal
The passing of ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal bill gained more support from the Congress as 2019 comes to an end.
ABS-CBN’s franchise by Republic Act 7966 is set to expire in March 2020. If the bill seeking to renew the network’s operation for another 25 years is not signed into law soon, ABS-CBN would have to close shop.
President Rodrigo Duterte previously threatened to block the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN for allegedly not airing a 2016 ad that he paid for and instead showed a TV spot that was critical of him and was paid by his critic, former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV.
Despite the impediments,the network remained to be the pioneer with its high viewership ratings in Kantar Media.
As of now,there are six bills passed in the House of Representatives in request of renewing the franchise of the Kapamilya network.
Representative Micaela Violago (Nueva Ecija, 2nd District) first refiled House Bill (HB) No. 676 after it failed to get approval at the committee level before the 17th congress was adjourned.
Pangasinan Representative and House Deputy Speaker Rose Marie “Baby” Arenas and Parañaque Rep. Myra Joy Tambunting were also included in the members of the House who filed ABS-CBN’s application for franchise renewal.
Recently, Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto and Sen. Ralph Recto expressed their support to the Kapamilya network’s renewal of license. The two believed that the Kapamilya network has a great contribution in the lives of the Filipino people through their projects.
While Senate President Tito Sotto, who is a former Kapamilya, assured supporters and employees of the network that there is still enough time to approve the franchise renewal application of ABS-CBN.
Aside from them, different members of Congress are also united in supporting the Kapamilya network including Surigao Del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, who believes the network is helping to foster sports in the country through their shows on the UAAP, NCAA, and MPBL.
Earlier, almost one thousand celebrities and employees of ABS-CBN united and signed a petition hoping that the House of Representatives will renew the franchise of the television giant.
Using the #NoToABSCBNShutdown, Twitter netizens also voiced out their concerns online for the employees and families dependent on ABS-CBN continuing operations.
