On July 13, the Sangguniang Bayan of Pandan, Antique, adopted a resolution asking Congress to rethink the fate of the ABS-CBN franchise.
ABS-CBN has been off-air for more than two (2) months after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) released a Cease and Desist Order against the network over its expired franchise on May 5, 2020.
The Council agreed that ABS-CBN plays an important role in providing information about what is happening in the world. The resolution will be sent to the Congress by Representative Loren Legarda.
On the basis of the study, the Council also emphasized the importance of the entertainment services offered by the network most notably in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Last July 10, the House Legislative Franchise Committee announced that it had rejected ABS-CBN’s bid for a new franchise, effectively shutting down the country’s largest media network and strengthening the belief that the authorities are cracking down on freedom of the press.
ABS-CBN did not win the votes of the members of the Legislative Franchise Committee by a majority of 70 to 11.
Yet according to House Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, ex officio party leader, there is a glimmer of hope.
There are ways that ABS-CBN and the franchising lawmakers can consider re-filing a new bill. In this situation, the person who voted with the majority—in this case, someone who voted against the renewal of the franchise—may file a request for reconsideration.
“[One remedy is] when a member file[s] for a motion for reconsideration, but not everybody can file a motion for reconsideration. Only a member who voted with the majority can vote for a motion for reconsideration.”
