Rep. Alfred Vargas recuses from voting on ABS-CBN franchise

Quezon City Representative Alfred Vargas will abstain from voting on the pending franchise application of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Company, citing conflict of interest.

“This representation, as an actor or producer, has been engaged for projects with the network. Thus, out of propriety and as dictated by law, I am duty bound to inhibit myself from voting on the application for franchise renewal,” Vargas said in a statement on Friday, the day of the expected voting.

Vargas said that the Code of Conduct for Public Officials, House Rules on Committee Voting, as well as avoidance of conflict of interest impel him to inhibit.

Vargas, however, still said that his heart goes to ABS-CBN, its employees and other workers whose livelihood depends on the network.

Under the law, ABS-CBN needs a franchise to operate. Its old franchise lapsed last May 4.

By May 5, the ABS-CBN went off air after the National Telecommunications Commission issued a cease and desist against the 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.

The bills seeking franchise renewal for ABS-CBN have been pending since 2014 but the House only decided to start its deliberations on these proposals on March 10 this year.

ABS-CBN and its subsidiaries have around 11,000 employees, according to the company. --KBK/RSJ, GMA News