House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano released a statement on the vote for ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal.
On July 8, Cayetano reiterated his call for the House legislative franchise members to vote based on the facts present by both sides and the application of the relevant laws and public policy.
“As the committee hearing the franchise of ABS-CBN approaches the day where its members have to decide on the fate of the network, the House leadership would like to reiterate that each vote must and will be based on the appreciation of the facts as they have been presented by both sides during these exhaustive proceedings, as well as the application of the relevant laws and public policy,” Cayetano said.
He also denied rumors that House leaders and religious groups are allegedly using threats so lawmakers would reject the franchise application of ABS-CBN.
“Rumors of threats and intimidation coming from certain groups, even linking it with specific religious organizations, and congressional leaders are completely false and is an unproductive exercise in trying to manipulate the vote to favor a particular decision,” he added.
Cayetano slammed the “clumsy attempts at mind-conditioning”.
“Ironically, it is these clumsy attempts at mind conditioning that clearly pose a threat to the fairness and impartiality of the committee. By trying to poison the well of public opinion, those spreading this propaganda are trying to blackmail Congress into acceding to their demands,” said the Speaker.
At the end of his statement, he advised the parties never to engage in black propaganda.
“We advise all sides to continue to advocate, but never to engage in black propaganda and fake news,” Cayetano added.
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano hits "clumsy attempts at mind conditioning" ahead of the House panel vote on ABS-CBN's franchise, denies that certain groups, religious orgs are lobbying against the network's franchise application. Full statement below. @rapplerdotcom pic.twitter.com/tTmwrLlA1v
— Mara Cepeda (@maracepeda) July 8, 2020
On July 9, The House committees on legislative franchises as well as good government and public accountability are set to wrap up their joint hearings on ABS-CBN but there is no schedule yet for voting.
A list published by Manila Times on Wednesday allegedly shows the votes of the 46 regular members of the Committee on Legislative Franchises as well as the votes of the 48 House leaders who have voice and vote in all committees of the House.
House Committee on Legislative Franchises chair Franz Alvarez told ABS-CBN that the list of congressmen’s votes published by the Manila Times did not come from his committee.
