Senate panel starts hearing on ABS-CBN franchise

The Senate public services committee started Monday its hearing on the bill regarding the franchise of ABS-CBN Corporation.

Among those present at the hearing are Carlo Katigbak, ABS-CBN president and chief executive officer; Mark Lopez, chairman; Cory Vidanes, chief operating officer for broadcast; Mark Nepomuceno; Ron Valdueza, chief finance officer; Maxim Uy, ABS-CBN Legal Division; Mario Bautista, ABS-CBN General Counsel; and Enrique Quiason, ABS-CBN corporate secretary.

Senate public services panel to hear bills on ABS-CBN franchise. ABS-CBN execs present at the Senate session hall @gmanews @gmanewsbreaking pic.twitter.com/lxyvCezYEE

— Amita O. Legaspi (@amitalegaspi) February 24, 2020

The Senate committee proceeded with hearing on the bills even if the House of Representatives has yet to start its own on the matter.

Senators insisted that the Senate can hear the bills as long as there is no committee report to be submitted.

President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly expressed opposition to the renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise after the network supposedly did not air a political advertisement that was already paid for during his presidential bid in the 2016 elections.

The TV network's franchise is set to expire on March 30. —KG, GMA News