- ABS-CBN franchise bills still not calendared.
In less than two months before ABS-CBN’s franchise expires, the House of Representatives has yet to calendar the hearing of the 9 bills pending in Congress.
In a report by Politiko, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises is about to tackle 5 franchise bills on Wednesday, February 5, but it does not include the Kapamilya network.
Among the list of scheduled franchise bills that will be discussed by the panel include FBS Radio Network, Century Communications Marketing Center, Caceres Broadcasting Network, and Philand Communications Network Corporation.
However, based on the published schedule on the Congress’ website, there is no hearing of the Legislative Franchises Committee scheduled on Wednesday.
ABS-CBN’s franchise is about to expire in March 2020.
“We have enough time. Yung budget na P4.1 trillion natapos natin ng isang buwan, yun pa kayang franchise na siguro sobrang… yung issues, two-three hearings, sobrang exhaustive na nun,” he said.
According to the Speaker, he already spoke to Committee on Legislative Franchises Chair Franz Alvarez and they are set to start hearing the issue in the first week of February.
“I talked to Chairman Chicoy Alvarez and he’s recommending we start… there are about 40 to 50 franchise bills. So, first week of February daw he will start, and kung sino daw ang may kumpletong requirements, he will start the hearings,” he said.
If ABS-CBN fails to secure renewal on or before the end of March, they have to cease operation endangering the jobs of more than 11 thousand regular and contractual employees including their artists.
