Bulacan First District Representative Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado is one of the biggest antagonists of ABS-CBN.
He was one of the 70 Congressmen who voted for the denial of the network’s franchise.
After the rejection of the franchise, Sy-Alvarado, the Chairman of the Committee on Good Governance and Public Accountability and Vice Chairman of the Committee on Legislative Franchises, advised ABS-CBN to apologize to President Rodrigo Duterte.
During an interview with DZBB Super Radyo, he was asked by Rene Sta. Cruz about the ABS-CBN’s chances for renewal during Duterte’s term.
“Ibig sabihin ba nito, hangga’t nakaupo si Presidente Duterte ay wala ring prangkisa? Kailangan ng bagong administrasyon upang madinig ulit ang prangkisa ng ABS-CBN?” he asked.
Sy-Alvarado then said that if ABS-CBN will ‘sincerely apologize’ to the President, things might change.
“Di ba nga, tignan natin ang MERALCO, at mga Ayala, sinasabi ng pangulo noon na ipapasara niya, at galit na galit siya, pero ngayon tignan mo, nagpapasalamat siya at nag-apologize,” he added.
Sy-Alvarado who chaired the franchise hearing of ABS-CBN, also disaffirmed accusations of other lawmakers saying that the franchise hearing was biased.
“Hindi natin dapat sabihin na biased ‘yung hearing na ito. Lahat ng nagsabi niyan siguro nakalimutang manuod thoroughly ng hearing natin, ‘yan clearly ay fake news.” he said.
He claimed that the hearing was fair and unbiased as he has given equal chances to both parties.
“Wala na kayong mahahanap na mas fair, mas patas, at mas komprehensibong hearing kesa sa binigay nating hearing,” Sy-Alvarado said.
“Sana ay kilabutan naman yung mga taong nagsasabi na hindi tayo patas, fake news po yan at iyan ay isang kalapastanganan sa lahat ng bumubuo ng joint committee na ito lalong lalo na sa ating Speaker,” he said.
Despite his loyalty to Duterte, this did not assure him to stay as the chairman of the Committee on Good Governance and Public Accountability.
Following the ouster of Alan Peter Cayetano as the House Speaker and other deputy speakers who also voted against the franchise, Sy-Alvarado was also removed.
Sy-Alvarado was replaced by DIWA Party List Rep. Michael Aglipay for the chairmanship of the Committee on Good Governance and Public Accountability.
With the shift of leadership for the House of Representatives, will this also mean that ABS-CBN can now get a fresh franchise?
