Sagip Partylist Rep. Rodante Marcoleta unilaterally declared that the statements of facts and opinions given by different government agencies with regards to the ABS-CBN franchise issues have no weight in deciding the fate of the network.
In his statement during the summation of facts on the ABS-CBN franchise hearing, Marcoleta struck down the testimonies and opinions of different government agencies who were called by congress to be their resource persons.
According to Marcoleta, it is only the will of the Congress that should prevail because it is the Congress that has the sole duty to grant or deny franchise applications.
“Contrary to the ABS-CBN’s submission, it is not the view of the SEC that matters here. It is not the opinion of the DOJ that will prevail here, not even the Bureau of Immigration or other agencies.
“It is the will of Congress that should be accorded due respect simply because it is Congress that has the sole and ultimate authority to grant or deny the application of franchises,” he said.
Netizens, however, slammed Marcoleta’s statement by saying that rejecting the testimonies provided by various agencies seems to imply that they believe these groups lied to Congress hence their statements were discarded.
Others said Congress should not have invited people from different government agencies in the first place if they will not believe in their opinions and statements anyway.
I'm confused…. Are the congressmen that are against the ABS-CBN franchise renewal implying that the DOJ, BIR, DOLE, SEC, Comelec and other agencies of the government wrong/lying/incorrect in clearing ABS-CBN from the accusations?
— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) July 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/allenwindel/status/1281151469597519872
Dear Marcoleta! Hindi ka Judge! All Government Regulatory Agencies (BIR, NTC, BOI, Comelec, DOLE, DOJ, MTRCB, PEZA, KBP) testified that ABS-CBN is Compliant & did not violate the LAW. #VoteYesToABSCBNFranchise
— gjc (@gjcxris) July 9, 2020
Rep. Marcoleta, are you implying that the BIR, DOJ, SEC, DOLE, COMELEC, and other government agencies that cleared ABS-CBN from accusations are lying/wrong???
— M (@holamnl) July 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/itsyourpaulo/status/1281139444670582785
DOJ, BIR, DOLE, SEC and other agencies to marcoleta: pic.twitter.com/xCKfOP4OYi
— pau (@jpsrn_) July 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/lego1166143104/status/1281151287254323201
I thought those accusations were cleared by BIR, DOJ, DOLE, SEC && COMELEC. So you meaning they are not a reliable agencies? So your truth is the truth Cong. Marcoleta? #VoteYesToABSCBNFranchise#VoteYesToABSCBNFranchise
— MareystillAmyCarmina (@imMACstutica) July 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/Perezlv2018/status/1281143358631505920
Mr. Marcoleta – As of today, ALL THE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES like BIR, DOLE, DOJ, SEC, COMELEC and even the SUPREME COURT sided with ABS! Sama mo ang KBP, MTRCB & NUJP. If mali sila, isarado nalang tutal ikaw lang ang tama! #VoteYesToABSCBNFranchise
— ᒪIᗩᗰ (@liambutch) July 9, 2020
https://twitter.com/immark_cebe/status/1281138713469128705
The ABS-CBN franchise hearings were adjourned on Thursday after summations from congressmen. The committee is expected to vote whether to grant or deny ABS-CBN a franchise today, Friday July 10.
