As Congress will have a new session coming this July 26, is there a chance that they may discuss once again to bring back ABS-CBN now that the election is just months away?
Allowing the network to have its franchise back would have a much greater impact on how the public chooses to vote in this 2022 election.
The Network has the broadest reach in the country before its shutdown. ABS-CBN used to have 21 regional stations, with an estimated 70 million viewers and listeners across the country.
Now franchise-less, ABS-CBN expanded by exploring the digital platform. It succeeded given that its YouTube channel already reached 35 million subscribers, the second most subscribed YouTube channel in Southeast Asia.
With the reach and effect of ABS-CBN with or without a franchise, many lawmakers at the start of 2021 have expressed their desire to give the Kapamilya Network a license.
Senate President Tito Sotto, on January 4, has filed a bill that seeks to grant ABS-CBN a fresh 25-year license, allowing the network to return on-air.
According to Sotto, ABS-CBN has a wide reach and the most preferred choice of viewers in the Philippines.
“ABS-CBN is still the top choice of viewers in the Philippines as its viewers nationwide prefer to catch relevant news and inspiring TV series on ABS-CBN as the network registered an average audience share of 45%or 14 points higher than GMA’s 31%,” said Sotto in the bill.
“ABS-CBN’s wide reach to Filipinos, alongside the undeniable advantages of broadcast media relative to mass communication, definitely calls for the immediate renewal of the network’s franchise,” he continued.
His initiative was backed up by several lawmakers as well. Senators Ralph Recto, Joel Villanueva, Sonny Angara, and Franklin Drilon supported Sotto’s bill.
Batangas 6th District Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto likewise has expressed her desire to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise. According to her, she is planning to re-file a bill that would grant the network a fresh 25-year franchise.
“We need to start rebuilding our economy. Through this bill, we will be creating jobs (so many people do not have jobs today) and help promote healthy competition among the networks. Most importantly, di mapagkakaila ang far reach ng ABS-CBN in the regions during calamities,” pointed Santos.
Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Gabriel Bordado also made a notion of reviving the Network’s franchise.
But up to this point, there is no update on either the progress of the bills filed by Sotto and the plan of Santos. This may be related to the Speaker of the House, Lord Allan Velasco’s statement on February noting that the renewal may be up to the next Congress to tackle.
Velasco, in a statement, wants to see the passage of Bayanihan 3 as well as other economic bills before Pres. Duterte’s term ends.
“On top of this priority legislation, we would like to see the passage of Bayanihan 3, as well as other economic bills geared toward rebuilding the Philippine economy shattered by the devastating impact of the global pandemic and rebuilding the lives of every Filipino disrupted by the health crisis,” said Velasco.
To add, Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez shared his understanding that ABS-CBN‘s franchise is “best left to the next Congress”.
But maybe, with the upcoming elections and with ABS-CBN‘s reach and influence, Velasco would change his mind and re-discuss the Network’s fate since the Government’s allegations were not proven.
Still, this is just a possibility. We have to wait and see this July 26.
