Senate panel to hear ABS-CBN franchise renewal on Feb. 27

The Senate is set to hear on February 27 the bills concerning the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN Corporation.

During Monday’s session, Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri proposed that Joint Resolution 11 filed by Minority Leader Franklin Drilon be referred to the Committee on Rules.

But Drilon moved that the measure be principally be referred to the Committee on Public Services headed by Senator Grace Poe.

“May I move that Joint Resolution 11 be principally referred to the Committee on Public Services and secondary to the Committee on Rules? Because similar resolutions are now pending in the committee and these concerns the franchise of ABS-CBN. There will be a hearing scheduled on February 27,” said Drilon.

Zubiri, Senate Committee on Rules chairperson, confirmed the date of the hearing.

SJR 11 seeks to extend the franchise of ABS-CBN Corporation up to the end of 2022 to give both the Senate and the House of Representatives to review the application for renewal. 

Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Zubiri agreed with the motion of Drilon.

“Technically it should be referred first to the Committee on Rules because of the fact that this type of measure should emanate from the House of Representatives. But due to the fact that it has been the practice that as long as there is no committee report and the committee is merely hearing the intent of any resolution, (we agree),” Sotto said.

Earlier in the day, Senator Grace Poe said she will be conducting a hearing on the ABS-CBN franchise renewal.  — RSJ, GMA News