Cayetano hits ‘sipsip,’ ‘epal’ individuals at Senate's ABS-CBN franchise hearing

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday hit those he called "sipsip" and "epal" individuals who attended the Senate hearing on the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN just to gain the favor of the broadcast giant.

In an interview with reporters after the relaunch of the Kobe Byrant exhibit at the House of Representatives, Cayetano reiterated that the chamber will not allow ABS-CBN to go off the air even for a minute, but he added he wants a "sober" discussion  on the allegations against the TV network.

He questioned, however, the move of the Senate to hold a hearing on the ABS-CBN franchise renewal issue, especially that according to him, all franchise-related bills should originate from the House of Representatives.

"There's no question yung iba nagmamalasakit lang. There's no question there are solid supporters of ABS. But yung iba OA na e. Parang doomsday na ang ginagawa para lang makapagsipsip. Hindi yun ang proseso," Cayetano said.

"Bakit nag-hearing ang Senate? Anong purpose? Parang nag-aattendance sa ABS-CBN. 'Hello, I'm here, I'm for you.' Kasi sabi nila it's not for the franchise kasi hindi pa sila pwedeng mag-hearing sa franchise, nandito pa [sa House]. So what's it for?" he added.

For Cayetano, the ABS-CBN franchise renewal is an important issue but not urgent, considering that there are other more pressing legislation that the House needs to work on first.

"The ABS-CBN has 11,000 jobs but the CITIRA (Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Reform Act) can produce 1.5 million jobs," he said.

"Having said that, mabuti na rin na nag-hearing, mabuti na rin na pinag-uusapan yung mga issues, but I can promise you, sa House, mas organized yung hearing. Mas malinaw yung issues bago pa mag-start yung hearing, at lahat yung pro and con, management, employees and viewers will be given an opportunity to be heard," he added.

Earlier in the day, House Committee on Legislative Franchises chair Franz Alvarez announced the committee is now open to accepting position papers for or against the renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise, signalling the start of the proceedings of the chamber on the matter.

He said that once all positions papers have been taken into consideration, the panel can formally start deliberating on the ABS-CBN franchise renewal bills. This, however, could take place either in May or in August, after the State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Currently, there are at least 11 bills filed at the House of Representatives seeking to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN which is set to expire on May 4. However, up until Monday, no hearing or deliberation has been held to consider the pending measures. —LDF, GMA News