Bills for ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal are still languishing in Congress with the hearings being bogged down by repeated questions from representatives Rodante Marcoleta, Jesus Crispin Remulla, and Michael Defensor.
The issues raised concerning taxes, labor, and PDRs were already resolved and explained by ABS-CBN and representatives from the BIR, SEC, and DOLE.
“Did Marcoleta, Remulla & Defensor forget that the people can see the way they act & respond to the issues they are addressing? This is what happens when people are blinded by their own personal agendas – lumalabas ang totoo nilang kulay,” as posted by a netizen in her twitter account. She describes the congressmen as “ILL-MANNERED. IMPOLITE. RUDE.”
Did Marcoleta, Remulla & Defensor forget that the people can see the way they act & respond to the issues they are addressing?
This is what happens when people are blinded by their own personal agendas – lumalabas ang totoo nilang kulay.
ILL-MANNERED. IMPOLITE. RUDE.
— ⚖ (@_pearsonspecter) June 11, 2020
Lawmakers attacked ABS-CBN’s chairman emeritus Gabby Lopez’s citizenship.
Representatives Rodante Marcoleta of Sagip party-list, Jesus Crispin Remulla of Cavite’s Seventh District, and Elpidio Barzaga Jr. of Cavite’s Fourth District emphasized how Article 16, Section 11 of the Constitution provides the 100 percent Filipino-owned requirement for mass media.
Senior Deputy Majority Leader Jesus Crispin Remulla on his part asserts that Lopez seems to be “half-Filipino and half-American.”
Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Mike Defensor, chairman of the public accounts committee, also pointed out that those who are dual citizens cannot be owners of mass media for the reason that their allegiance to the other state may cause a conflict of interest. Defensor explained that this strict requirement is essential largely for national security reasons.
Together with Defensor, Marcoleta pointed out the importance of natural-born Filipino citizens to run a media entity.
Also, the Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs) were again raised when Defensor claimed it as a backdoor to foreign ownership.
ABS-CBN counsel Cynthia del Castillo explained that PDRs are not dividends but instead financial instruments that pay out cash to both local and foreign holders. Clarifying that foreign investments can be done but rights to ownership are not exercised.
Yet, Remulla rebutted that del Castillo implicates a conflict of interest, by saying she was a hired counsel of the network. The latter in reply said she had the duty to examine her statements carefully before testifying.
ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak ended by stating that ABS-CBN is willing to let go of its PDRs if SEC or Congress says so.
The hearing concluded without resolving the matter at hand as to whether ABS-CBN should be granted its franchise renewal.
Netizens took to Twitter to express their frustrations with the delaying tactics
Salute to all ABSCBN representatives on HOR hearings…grabe nakailang hearing na..na alam naten na may pagkabastos si Cong.Remulla,Defensor and Marcoleta pero they are calm..they are answering onpoint even if they interrupted by those 3congressman they remain calm…
— JmV (@JamillaJohn) June 11, 2020
So Karen never ever give a platform in your show the clowns of Congress: Marcoleta, Remulla, Defensor, that Braganza something.
— mrin29 (@IyakkMrin29) June 9, 2020
The 3 cong.: Marcoleta, Remulla & Barzaga are on AGAINST ABS CBN while around 15 cong. who are on the ON ABS CBN side; 3 cong. each x 5 minutes= TOTAL 15 minutes to refute; while 15 cong. each x 5 minutes= TOTAL 45 minutes to defend ABS CBN; see the disparity; UNFAIR!!
— Jazz Mine (@JazzMine1235) June 9, 2020
Asec. Ty and Cong. Rodriguez are basically lecturing the likes of Marcoleta, Remulla, and Defensor. Learn from the credible sources, MRD! Tama na ang pamumulitika. #IbalikAngABSCBN #labankapamilya
— Jon Montesa (@iMelAljon) June 8, 2020
Thanks to the Internet, we will have a record of how these douchebags behaved:
Mike Defensor
Boying Remulla
Rodante Marcoleta— Rommel Lopez (@RommelFLopez) June 11, 2020
In the world full of Remulla, Defensor and Marcoleta, be ABS-CBN Executives and Counsel #IbalikAngABSCBN#ABSCBNfranchise
— S A M ♡ #KapamilyaForever (@Sam_Morchans) June 11, 2020
Marcoleta Remulla Defensor … remember and do not ever ever forget
— Amie M_Hernandez (@AmieMH) June 11, 2020
https://twitter.com/Missabelle_M/status/1270988409394229250?s=20
As the hearing continues, the network not only loses millions of pesos ranging from 30 to 35 million per day but its employees are in jeopardy of losing their jobs.
When President and CEO Carlo Katigbak previously stated the possibility of retrenchment by August if the network still fails to get its renewal.
