Mikey Arroyo invokes parliamentary courtesy amid Nancy Binay remark on ABS-CBN

House Deputy Majority Leader Mike Arroyo on Friday called on Senator Nancy Binay to defer comments on how the House of Representatives is conducting the hearings on ABS-CBN’s franchise application, saying Binay should observe courtesy.

“May I kindly remind my friend Senator Nancy Binay, whom I have supported in the last elections, to please observe the principles of inter-parliamentary courtesy in the same manner we at the House of Representatives, have religiously respected their own internal affairs,” Arroyo said in a statement.

Arroyo, son of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was responding to Binay’s comment that House members should not deny ABS-CBN a franchise to operate just because of the negative news reports on politicians.

“Kung mga hugot at hinanakit lang naman about negative stories ang pag-uusapan tungkol sa network, winner at topnotcher na ang pamilya namin. What kept us grounded is that we knew what was true, legit and factual versus the yarn of lies against our family," Binay said.

The senator was referring to a Senate inquiry on the alleged corruption involving  her father, former Vice President Jejormar Binay, and brother, former Makati mayor Junjun Binay, that spanned almost two years.

“We have to set aside personal viewpoints because issues that we need to address should never be about us—it should always be for the greater good of every Filipino," Sen. Binay said.

Still, Arroyo assured Binay that the House will act based on what is provided under the law, the best interest of constituents, and what would be for the greater good of every Filipino.

At least 11 bills seeking ABS-CBN franchise renewal are pending in the House of Representatives since July 2019.

ABS-CBN's franchise lapsed last May 4. It went off-air the following day after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease and desist order against the broadcast network for lack of franchise.

NTC’s May 5 action was a turnaround from NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba’s statement before the House of Representatives in March that they will issue a provisional authority to ABS-CBN given that the House and the Senate made communications stating they are in favor of such issuance. -- Llanesca T. Panti/KBK, GMA News