Cayetano: Press freedom and media franchise are two different things

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Saturday said people should not equate press freedom with media franchise, and believe that free speech ends with Congress' failure to renew ABS-CBN network's privilege to broadcast.

Cayetano cleared up the issue amid condemnation by some journalists of the supposed calculated move to shut down broadcast network ABS-CBN on "flimsy" grounds, which they see as curtailment of press freedom.

“If press freedom is automatic, then there should be no more hearings in Congress (on the ABS-CBN franchise). We will just have to grant it automatically. But no, Congress has to legislate it," Cayetano said in a statement.

Cayetano also urged the public to not equate press freedom with the franchise.

While Cayetano claimed he understood the concerns of those fighting for the freedom of the press, he maintained that this was "not an open-close case of press freedom."

"It’s also accountability to our present laws, especially election laws. Personally, that’s what I want to hear when the hearings are held, what reforms ABS-CBN will undertake to address their perceived bias and alleged violations of their franchise,” he said.

On the other hand, the Speaker urged critics and supporters of ABS-CBN to send their comments to the House of Representatives on the renewal of the network's franchise.

"All those opposed to renewing the franchise, submit your comments to the House committee on legislative franchises, which will forward these to ABS-CBN so they can already respond,” Cayetano said.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has given ABS-CBN 10 days to submit their answer to the quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida.

“On one hand, I would rather [that] the SolGen did not file it. But on the other hand, at least, people are now talking about the issues," said Cayetano.

"As for me, I am open-minded. I have read the reply of ABS-CBN to the SolGen and I am waiting for their official comment [...] I think this is the way to find a solution. Welcome the issues against ABS-CBN, but also welcome their reply, so that we can finally get somewhere with all of these," he added. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LBG, GMA News