House hearings on ABS-CBN franchise issue a 'fishing expedition' –Atienza

Buhay party-list Representative Lito Atienza on Monday called the ongoing House hearings on the ABS-CBN franchise a "fishing expedition," saying accusations against the network are not being backed by evidence.

In a virtual media forum, Atienza slammed how the hearings are being conducted, saying that the lawmakers who make accusations against ABS-CBN cannot even present evidence to support their claims.

"Wala na akong maisip na mas maayos na descriptive, accurate, apt word for what is going on more than brow-beating, dahil yung mga testigo, para bang considered guilty, prove yourselves innocent. Kabaliktaran ang nangyayari, walang mai-present na ebidensya itong mga nagp-prosecute. Ang hinihingan ng record, yung akusado or suspect," he said.

"Fishing expedition ito, more than a hearing," he added.

The House Committee on Legislative Franchises and on Good Government and Public Accountability began hearing the bills granting another 25-year franchise to ABS-CBN after the House leadership decided to drop the measure that would supposedly give the network a provisional franchise until October 31, 2020.

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, himself an author of the provisional franchise bill, has said the issue on the ABS-CBN franchise has already become "so divisive" and is taking up the time even as there are more pressing matters to discuss such as measures addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.

He, however, vowed to have a fair and comprehensive hearings on the issue at the committee level.

But Atienza said that some lawmakers seem to be ganging up on the resource persons from ABS-CBN rather than giving them the chance to defend themselves against the allegations.

"Bakit ganito ang ating hearing? Hindi parang pagpaliwanagin ang issue or hingan natin ng paliwanag ang kinauukulan, but rather inaapi natin ang mga testigo," he said.

Atienza said that the hearings have not proven anything to warrant the non-renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN.

"On the contrary, ABS-CBN has been absolved by competent and authorized and legally-created officers like the Department of Justice, Bureau of Immigration, even the Securities and Exchange Commission doon sa mga allegations of violations to the Constitution," he said.

"[This is] unfair to say the least. Unfair to ABS-CBN, unfair to the employees of ABS-CBN, unfair to the Filipinos who are dependent on ABS-CBN for their accurate news delivery, information, entertainment. Hindi tama ang nangyayari," he added.

Atienza called on his fellow lawmakers to put an end to the hearings already and vote on the matter.

"It's time to call spade a spade. Let's vote on the matter and let's hear the collective voices of the majority of members of Congress. And whatever decision is made, we should respect it," he said.

House legislative panel chair Franz Alvarez has yet to respond to a request for comment on Atienza's statements as of posting.

The next hearing on the ABS-CBN franchise issue is set on Tuesday. --KBK, GMA News