During the joint hearing of the House Committee on legislative franchise and the committee on good government and public accountability on ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal on Monday, a House lawmaker suggested investigating the Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs) of the major broadcasting networks since the lower chamber is investigating that of ABS-CBN’s.
Nueva Ecija 2nd District Rep. Micaela Violago noted the observation of Bulacan 1st District Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado that the PDRs of all major broadcasting companies are almost the same and the only difference is the price.
“Kanina sinabi ni Chairman Alvarado, all the PDRs of all major broadcasting companies are almost the same like sa GMA and ABS-CBN. The only difference is the price,” Violago said.
She also suggested that in the future they can also investigate the PDRs of other broadcasting companies the way they investigated the PDRs of ABS-CBN.
“In aid of legislation, in the near future sana (hopefully), maybe we can also investigate yung sa PDRs ng ibang (the PDRs of other) broadcasting companies the way we investigate the PDRs of ABS-CBN,” she added.
“That is for a member of the House to file the corresponding resolution on that matter. In the meantime, we will abide by the investigation that we are conducting right now,” Remulla said.
The chair of the committee on good government and public accountability Sy-Alvarado also said that only GMA Network has so far submitted copies of its PDRs.
“Binasa ko ‘yung mga PDRs, mukhang ang pagkakaiba lamang ay yung presyo doon sa PDRs ng ABS-CBN,” Sy-Alvarado said.
On June 11, while investigating ABS-CBN’s alleged violation of its franchise, he also sought copies of PDRs issued by other major mass media and broadcasting companies in the Philippines to make a comparison.
Personalities like Karen Davila, Pia Magalona, and MJ Felipe took their frustration to social media asking why politicians are singling out ABS-CBN regarding PDRs if GMA-7 “have the exact stipulation.”
