The House of Representatives archived House Bill 6732, which seeks to grant a provisional franchise to ABS-CBN.
The motion to have the bill archived happened this Monday, February 1, 2021.
Congress proceeded to have the bill removed from their calendar of business before the session ended.
Former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and his allies filed the bill back in May of 2020. However, the bill remained pending despite the provisional franchise’s validity lasting only up to October 31, 2020.
The House Committee of the Whole approved HB6732 on second reading in May 2020. However, a recall on the bill approval halted its proceedings.
Initially, Anakalusugan Partylist Representative Mike Defensor pointed out that Congress should resolve the bill, which remained unfinished. However, Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez countered, noting the bill lapsed its validity on October 31, 2020, calling HB6732 “moot and academic.”
In related news, Batangas Sixth District Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto filed House Bill 8298, seeking a 25-year franchise for ABS-CBN on January 5, 2021.
Additionally, Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd filed Senate Bill 1967 on January 4, 2021. The Senate bill also aims to grant ABS-CBN a 25-year franchise.
