In denying ABS-CBN franchise, Congress failed to protect welfare of citizens —Pangilinan

Published July 12, 2020 07:38 PM By JON VIKTOR D. CABUENAS,GMA News

Representatives failed to protect the welfare of the Filipino public when they chose to reject the franchise application of ABS-CBN Corporation, Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan said Sunday.

"It is the primordial duty of any representative government to protect the welfare of its citizens. As such, by failing to protect the welfare of 11,000 workers and rendering them jobless this government has failed to fulfill its primary function," he said in an emailed statement.

Just last Friday, a House of Representatives panel voted to deny the broadcaster's franchise application

, even as several government agencies maintained that it had no violations.

"Yes, political lines were drawn as between self-serving, reckless, and tyrannical politics represented by the mindless decision to close the station and render 11,000 jobless and the politics of genuine service, democracy, and good governance represented by those defending media freedom and supportive of the grant of the franchise," Pangilinan said.

"Why? Because as history of mankind spanning thousands of years will show us that for tyrants, holding on to and exercising uncontested, absolute power is far more important than the welfare of the people," he added.

Prior to the decision of the House Panel, President Rodrigo Duterte consistently threatened to oppose the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise, as he earlier claimed the network did not air political advertisements during the 2016 election campaign which were already paid for.

Several business groups such as the Makati Business Club called on Congress to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN to ensure equal treatment of all businesses and effectively boost investor sentiment.

Government agencies such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have cleared ABS-CBN Corporation of violations. — BM, GMA News

View on GMA News