Buhay Partylist Rep. Lito Atienza is confident that a fresh bid for the ABS-CBN franchise renewal will be possible once the pandemic subsides.
In an interview with Teleradyo, Atienza shared his conversation with House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco about the possible re-opening of talks about the ABS-CBN franchise.
According to Atienza, Velasco agreed to revive the ABS-CBN franchise discussion once the COVID-19 pandemic settled.
“Ngayon may tsansa na yan, iba na ang speaker of the House… He (Cayetano) was pretending to be neutral but he was not neutral, he was rendering the guilty verdict.
“Nag-usap kami, sinabi ko nga sa kanya na ibabalik ko na ang usapin ng ABS-CBN sa floor. Nakiusap naman siya, ‘huwag muna ngayon Lito, panahon ng pandemya, baka naman tayo ay hindi maintindihan ng marami,”
He also shared Velasco’s own words with regards to the ABS-CBN franchise.
“Hinihingi ko lang sayo, palamigin natin ng konti ang problema ng pandemya na pumapatay ng maraming Pilipino, and I will allow you and I will join you, even,” said Velasco according to Atienza.
Rep. Atienza also compared Velasco to former Speaker Alan Cayetano whom he said has committed injustice to the thousand of ABS-CBN employees when he spearheaded the
“Ang aming pag-uusap ay nakatuon sa katarungan, fairness, and injustice committed to millions of Filipinos and thousands of ABS-CBN employees. Alam ko ang kanyang puso ang kanyang layunin, hindi sila pareho ni Cayetano.”
Atienza is among the few congressmen who openly supported the ABS-CBN franchise renewal.
During the franchise hearing, Atienza was at the forefront of those who defended the network from unfounded allegations thrown by its oppositors led by Marcoleta, Defensor, and Remulla.
