- Cong. Alfred Vargas believes that the network will be given fair chances in the hearing.
- He is in favor of the ABS-CBN franchise renewal
During the Press Conference of “Tagpuan” an entry film for the summer Metro Manila Film Festival. Congressman Alfred Vargas was asked for his opinion on the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.
Accordingly, as a member of the committee on the franchise renewal in the House of Representative, they will first lay the ground rules.
Vargas admits that ABS-CBN was the first to discover him and GMA Network was the one who has given him a bigger break in the industry. But still, he believes that the network will be given fair chances in the hearing.
“Alam nyo ako, hinde ko naman idedeny na ang nakadiscover naman talaga sa akin ay si Mr. M. Tapos I got my first big break sa Pangako Sa ‘yo,” he said
“I believe in fair chances kaya kailangan ay madinig lahat,” he added
He is in favor of ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal. “Sinabi ko na ito before, na mas pabor ako na renew ang franchise na ABS-CBN pero after hearing all the sides.”
But he clearly stated that he was in favor because of the 11 thousand employees and not for his own gain.
“Para na lang sa 11 thousand na employees at tsaka na rin para sa natutulungan ng 11 thousand na yun.”
For him, the acceptance of apology by the president is a good development for the franchise renewal of the network.
“Nag-sorry na yung ABS tapos tinanggap na din ng Pangulo. Sa tingin ko napakagandang development nun,” he said.
Vargas is very hopeful and positive that the hearing will bring good news for ABS-CBN.
“Sa tingin ko, I’m very very hopeful and positive na sana maayos na ‘to, makaraoon na ito ng magandang resulta kasi nakabitin dito ang buong industriya dito. So sana ma-define na talaga ito.”
As an update, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) told lawmakers on Tuesday, that they will issue a provisional authority for ABS-CBN as requested in a letter by the House of Representatives committee on the legislative franchise.
“May I assure this committee that barring a gross violation of its franchise of the NTC rules and regulations, the NTC will follow the latest advice of the DOJ (Department of Justice) and let ABS-CBN continue operations based on equity,” Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba said.
