ABS-CBN FRANCHISE DENIAL

De Lima: ‘Sellout 70’ did not act in country's best interest

Senator Leila De Lima on Monday slammed the seventy representatives in the Lower House who allegedly accommodated President Rodrigo Duterte's plan blocking ABS-CBN's franchise application.

"They may deny it, but the circumstances and logic clearly point to it," De Lima, an opposition senator, said in a statement.

"How dare they call themselves representatives of the people when they refuse to heed pleas of thousands of Filipinos depending on the operations of ABS-CBN for their livelihood and millions more who depend on ABS-CBN for news and entertainment?" she asked.

Voting 70-11, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises voted to junk the franchise application of ABS-CBN over its former Chairman Eugenio Lopez III being both a Filipino and American citizen, and the issuance of Philippine Depositary Receipts supposedly favoring foreigners.

The company's alleged inappropriate program content, meddling in politics, tax avoidance schemes; and less than exemplary labor practices were also among the reasons laid out in the committee resolution.

De Lima said those who thumbed down granting the media company another franchise were "not acting in the best interest" of the country and were only thinking of themselves.

The senator stressed that these lawmakers disregarded the statements of government regulatory agencies that ABS-CBN did not violate any law.

The significant role of the media giant in the Philippine economy was also not considered, she added.

"Sa halip na magdagdag ng trabaho, mga unemployed ang dinagdagan ng Sellout-70. Lugmok na nga ang maraming Filipino, lalo pa nila pinalaganap ang kahirapan," De Lima said.

Moreover, the lawmaker blamed Duterte for allegedly setting the closure of ABS-CBN in motion.

"There is no doubt in the country’s mind that this was done for him and on his behalf. There is also no doubt that we have a wicked, vindictive, and soulless President," she said.

Duterte had been very vocal about his grievances against ABS-CBN, particularly over unaired campaign ads during the 2016 elections, and threatened to block the renewal of the firm's franchise.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, however, maintained that Malacañang had been neutral on the franchise issue.

Damaged country

Meanwhile, De Lima lauded the "Brave 11" who stood up for ABS-CBN during the House panel's vote.

"Let July 10 be remembered as the day when the great few stood in Congress for ABS-CBN and our democracy," she said.

"But, how much longer will principled public servants remain a minority in this damaged country?" she added.

Several lawyers raised the possibility of invoking the Initiative and Referendum Act to let the people's initiative revive the ABS-CBN's franchise bid.

The Supreme Court would have to decide whether that redress was feasible, according to Roque.  — DVM, GMA News