Poe: Media needs to stand up to prevent fall of institutions in the Philippines

The media should not let the chilling effect of the House of Representatives' denial of the ABS-CBN Corporation's franchise application hinder them from exposing truth and criticisms against the government, for doing so will weaken institutions, Senator Grace Poe said on Monday.

"I would say that it's foreboding. For many, this will be seen as a warning. Dapat bang matakot ang media? Sana huwag," Poe said when asked in an interview on CNN Philippines if she views the decision as an attack on press freedom.

"Dahil importante talaga ang trabaho ng media para mailahad ang nangyayari at ang taumbayan ang mismong magdedesisyon kung ito ba ay patas o hindi," she added.

Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services, said the lawmakers in the lower house did not put it on paper that they are restraining the freedom of speech but the message that they sent across will cause people to be very cautious about what they say.

On Friday, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises adopted a resolution recommending the denial of ABS-CBN's franchise application. Seventy voted yes, 11 voted no, two inhibited and one abstained.

The franchise bills for ABS-CBN have not even reached the Senate. The media giant has been off-air for more than two months now since its 25-year franchise expired on May 4 and more than 11,000 employees are on the verge of losing their jobs because of the House panel's decision.

Since the Constitution states that all franchise bills must emanate from the House of Representatives, Poe said some suggestions to amend the law of the land can be debated upon, if needed.

Nevertheless, she stressed that strengthening the media during these times would be for the benefit of the whole society.

"If we have a strong media and strong accountability in this country, I think that lawmakers would be very cautious to do the right thing and not be so brazen as to just vote on what they feel they want that will serve a certain interest," Poe said.

"But now, if you can't even criticize your lawmakers or people in government without fear of probably having repercussions, then it will really weaken our institutions and no amount of amendments to the Constitution will be effective," she added.

Poe previously warned that the denial of the ABS-CBN's franchise application sets a "high and unforgiving bar."

She said she can't tell whether those who voted in favor of junking the media network's application have indeed cast "conscience votes," especially as the country grapples with the economic impact of COVID-19. —KG, GMA News