Tito Sotto doubts ABS-CBN may secure franchise via people's initiative

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Monday expressed doubt over the possibility of granting ABS-CBN a franchise to operate through the people's initiative.

"I doubt if it's possible. A private bill is mandated by the Constitution to be exclusively under the House of Representatives," Sotto said.

The Senate leader was referring to Article VI, Section 24 of the 1987 Constitution which states that "all appropriation, revenue or tariff bills, bills authorizing increase of the public debt, bills of local application, and private bills shall originate exclusively in the House of Representatives."

"Another doubtful issue is if Comelec (Commission on Elections) has funds for it," Sotto added.

Nonetheless, he said, if a people's initiative happens, he would join the cause and "sign it."

On the other hand, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the people's initiative was an "available remedy" to grant ABS-CBN a franchise.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the House votes marked the "end of the road" for ABS-CBN's franchise application under the 18th Congress.

Over the weekend, a lawyer drafted a proposal for a petition to grant the network a franchise using Republic Act No. 6735 or the Initiative and Referendum Act.

Roque said that it was up to the high court whether or not the people's initiative would apply to ABS-CBN's franchise bid.

To exercise the people's initiative, "at least 10 percent of the registered voters in the country, of which every legislative district is represented by at least three percent of the registered voters thereof" shall sign the petition and register it with the Comelec.

There were at least 61 million Filipino voters in 2019. -NB/BM, GMA News