Cavite Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla continues to find ways to give ABS-CBN a hard time to get back their broadcast frequency.
In a resolution filed in Congress, Remulla seeks to change the existing systems and operations of the country’s television industry. The Cavite congressman proposed that Congress should have the power over who gets to use the state-owned frequencies.
Based on his resolution 1082, Remulla wanted the committee on legislative franchises to enter an agreement with the NTC to rearrange and reassign the country’s frequencies and frequency spectrum.
Apart from the power over assigning frequencies, Remulla also filed a resolution seeking congressional inquiry on the status of DICT’s Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Migration Plan.
In his resolution 1081, Remulla said he wanted to prevent the repeat of alleged serious violations committed by ABS-CBN when it commercially rolled out the TV Plus. The resolution also aimed to address alleged use of AMCARA as ABS-CBN’s dummy through block timing agreement although KBP during the ABS-CBN franchise hearing said that block timing agreements are legal and standard practice in the broadcasting industry.
Remulla also filed a resolution 1080 urging the legislative committee of congress to regulate the Cable TV industry.
Currently, ABS-CBN is using cable television to air its programs in the hope of saving jobs of some employees and to continue serving the Filipino people.
Meanwhile, Cable TV operation is covered by Executive Order 205, issued by President Corazon Aquino on June 30, 1987. Remulla however argued that the EO already expired after the ratification of the 1987 Constitution took effect in February 1987.
Remulla said EO 205 allowed the CATV operators to expand their operations nationwide with only franchises from local government units and certificates of authority from the NTC.
Recently, Rep.Rodante Marcoleta one of ABS-CBN’s staunchest critics who voted to deny its franchise application has floated the idea to also shut down the operation of ABS-CBN cable company Sky Cable.
Remulla is one of the 4 prime oppositors of the ABS-CBN franchise during its franchise hearings. He was often criticized for his disrespectful and rude behavior towards ABS-CBN officers and resource persons favoring the network.
He was also bashed after not respecting the national anthem during the hearing, something for which he also blamed ABS-CBN.
